Disability, SSI

Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income with Social Security

September 17, 2020 • By

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Last Updated: August 19, 2021

We pay monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people with disabilities who have low income and few resources, and people who are age 65 or older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.

Income is money you receive, such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes things like food and shelter. The amount of income you can receive each month and still get SSI depends partly on where you live.

Resources are things you own, including real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds, which we count in deciding if you qualify for SSI. You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth $2,000 or less. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth $3,000 or less. If you own property that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get SSI while trying to sell it.

We will not count economic impact payments, also known as coronavirus stimulus payments or CARES Act payments, as income for SSI. These payments will also not count as resources for 12 months. You can learn more about qualifying for SSI by reading our publication, Supplemental Security Income.

If you’re an adult with a disability intending to file for both SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance, you can apply online for both benefits at the same time if you:

  • Are between the ages of 18 and 65.
  • Have never been married.
  • Are a U.S. citizen residing in one of the 50 states, District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Haven’t applied for or received SSI benefits in the past.

We’re here for you. You can find more information on our website.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Comments

  1. Armando E.

    I just want to find out about my social security number one the government giving people out for this bad time cuz I haven’t received money

  2. Debra S.

    I receive so I own my home but it is almost uninhabitable how can I move and still get my sis benefits?

  3. James S.

    I am 64, I have been unable to work for some time, my retirement is being garnished by child support, I get 349. A month to rely on, have applied for Ssi several times with no results so far. I am not happy with the u s government!!!

  4. Staci W.

    What’s going to be done if Trump guts SS because of payroll tax cut AND ITS REALLY VERY DISTURBING THAT WITH ALL HE’S DONE TO DESTROY EVERYTHING AND THOSE BARELY MAKING IT.
    HE’S EXTREMELY MENTALLY UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT AND A GRIFTER, ALONG WITH HIS 3 OLDER KIDS AND JARED !!!- and yet our only hope of getting rid of him is Nov 3 rd.
    THAT’S A PATHETIC GOVT THAT WONT GET IN HIS FACE AND TELL HIM HE’S WRONG AND NEEDS TO RESIGN !!! Then DeJoy is hired to screw up the mail BIG TIME… BOTH SHOULD GET FULLY PROSECUTED !!!
    NO ONE ELSE COULD GET AWAY WITH ALL HE’S DONE AND WILLIAM BARR IS HIS FRICKIN PUPPET LAWYER ASSKISSER ( AND MCCONNELL TOO )
    ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING THAT ITS OK FOR EXTREMELY WEALTHY TO DO WHATEVER THE HELL THEY WANT AND SLATE FREE !!!
    *** I HOPE LETITIA JAMES? SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF THEM ?️⛈️??
    HE PURPOSELY ” PLAYED DOWN” COVID 19 SINCE EARLY THIS YEAR

    • Staci W.

      Yes, this has MANY people EXTREMELY WORRIED HE’LL GET ANOTHER 4 YEARS AND THIS BS IS DEFINITELY GIVING ME LIFE , DEATH, AND ANGER ISSUES ( FEAR )

    • Mae M.

      Congress, NOT THE PRESIDENT, made the laws, and the regulations for Social Security and Medicare. And it is the responsibility of CONGRESS to address the problem. Here’s what the Social Security Administration says about it at https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/ :

      “Lawmakers have many policy options that would reduce or eliminate the long-term financing shortfalls in Social Security and Medicare. Lawmakers should address these financial challenges as soon as possible.”

      Hopefully you understand it is the members of Congress who are the “lawmakers”. Contacting your Representatives and Senators to tell them you expect them to do THEIR jobs if they want your vote makes more sense than ranting about the President who IS doing HIS job.

  5. Nellie W.

    I would like to know if I could possibly qualify for supplemental security. I need a care giver really bad. I am high stroke risk and crippled. I only have $1300 from social security and medi cal wants me to pay $871.00 every month and I can’t afford that and also pay rent, phone bill and car insurance.

    • V.V.

      Hi Nellie, thanks for using our blog. You may want to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $5,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. In addition to the Extra Help, you may be able to get help from your State with other Medicare costs under the Medicare Savings Programs. By completing the Extra Help application, you will start your application process for a Medicare Savings Program. We will send information to your State who will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program unless you tell us not to when you complete the application.

      If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Prescription Drug plans or how to enroll in a plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. You also can request information about how to contact your State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIP offers help with your Medicare questions. We hope this helps.

  6. Daniel B.

    Hi,
    my 20 year old daughter has an intellectual disability as well as social disorders and she has never had a job. We have been working with Voc rehab with no success thus far. A friend of ours who also has a daughter with a more severe intellectual disability than ours, suggested that we have her collect SSI. How would we go about doing that for her?

    Steve

    • V.V.

      Hi Daniel, thanks for using our blog. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) gives cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children with disabilities can get SSI, too. To find out who qualifies and how to apply, go to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits web page.

  7. chandra v.

    Can you clarify that information for me, I receive 522.00 a month in SSI, I’m 58 years old. So do I quilfy to get the social sercuity income?

    • V.V.

      We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability.
      Hi Chandra, thanks for using our blog. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Also, SSI benefits are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits.

      When it comes to qualifying for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Income, or SSDI program, individuals must have worked long enough–and recently enough–under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which you have to earn within the last 10 years before you become disabled.

      If you have specific questions about your situation, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  8. Arturo J.

    Suppose you have taken in your mom who had stroke and unable to care for self
    And has nothing but her ss.
    Do they count her son income . Is his income reverent. ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Arturo, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. If your mother is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs based program, a change in her living arrangement can affect her benefits and it must be reported. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

      If your mother is receiving Social Security, your income or her living arrangement does not affect her Social Security benefits.

  9. Debra C.

    I have Social Security Disability. And I would like to know if I can get supplement income?

    • V.V.

      Hi Debra, thanks for using our blog. To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have “limited” income and resources. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for details.

  10. Sherry H.

    Why did I not get stimulas payment, I only receive 796.00 a month. I have all the bills everyone has, plus I have so mant illinessess I can’t afford the linament, cough drops , medicine for IBS, and so on, ans so on yet everything went up. Help Help Help

    • V.V.

      Hi Sherry, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

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