Social Security Administration Expands Outreach and Access for Supplemental Security Income
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 25, 2023
Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.
“Helping eligible people access critical benefits, including SSI, is part of Social Security’s core mission,” said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. “Underserved communities face additional challenges, like unreliable or no access to the internet and computers, that widen the divide. Social Security’s campaign strives to reach people in their communities to tell them about the eligibility criteria for SSI, and how to contact us online at www.ssa.gov/ssi or by phone for more information or an appointment to apply.” The campaign supports President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
Social Security used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.
Social Security’s campaign uses a variety of ways to reach people, including radio and television public service announcements (PSA), radio ads, mailers, bus shelter and other large signs, flyers distributed to local stores, and printed publications in several language options.
Watch the 60-second television PSA below.
Individuals who receive SSI may qualify for other financial help, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and discounted internet service through the Federal Trade Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits may also be eligible for SSI.
People with limited income and financial resources, and with access to the internet, should visit www.ssa.gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility and request an appointment to apply for benefits. People without access to the internet can call Social Security’s National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.
In addition to this campaign, Social Security recently proposed simplifications to the SSI program when people are receiving food assistance. The proposed changes will simplify the rules, making it easier to understand and comply with program requirements. This will save time for the public and Social Security and improve the equitable treatment of food assistance within the SSI program. Social Security accepted comments about the proposed rule through April 17, 2023.
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Tags: Commissioner, online services, SSI, supplemental security income
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Christopher H.
Do we have to use the Direct Express Debit Mastercard that the SSA Office sends us for any of the benefits that we made be receiving like our monthly SSI- SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME payments?!
Ruth A.
Do I qualify for SSDI since I get SSI? Because I have more than one disability now. Like Asthma, COPD, Arthritis and Diabetes just to name some of them.
A.C.
Hi, Ruth. Thanks for your question. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. SSDI pays benefits to those who cannot work due to a disability that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, providing the person has paid enough into the Social Security program. There are times when people can receive both SSI and SSDI, depending on their situation and whether they meet the requirements. For more information specifically about SSDI and how to apply, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Christopher H.
Again, as you can see in the comments from the workers of SSA they keep saying that SSI is for the disabled trying to discourage people who qualify with no disability. SSI is for seniors 65 and up who have a financial need, with no income, low-income, very little/limited income, and limited resources to assist them paying for their daily needs. Staff need to learn how to read and be retrained.
Vince C.
My wife, Stephanie and I our both retired and receive social security. Our daughter, Michele, who is 37 is disabled with epilepsy, bi-polar and a host of other health issues but when she was younger she was denied disability at least on 2 separate occasions and she hasn’t been able to work for over 15 years.
What options do we have since Michele lives with us and we pay for everything she does or has from health insurance (super expensive due to her health issues) to her everyday expenses to live.
My name is Vincent, I am 70 my wife is 69, we both have cancer along with other health problems, we are very worried what happens to Michele when we are gone. Michele cant drive due to her epilepsy. We do have money saved but it’s slowly being eaten away from the cost of living, the stock market issues, etc.
Please advise any helpful suggestions.
A.C.
Hi, Vince. We are sorry to hear about your family’s conditions and situation. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. SSDI pays benefits to those who cannot work due to a disability that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, providing the person has paid enough into the Social Security program. For more information about SSI and how your daughter can apply, please visit our Supplemental Security Income webpage. She may also be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if she qualifies, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Matthew P.
look Matthew brackin is a victim of idenity theft angel and elizabeth useing my idenity
Shaquah M.
I need my ssi /ssd
A.C.
Hi, Shaquah. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific concerns. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Sylvia A.
I just want to check if I am getting my max, social
Melissa
Doesn’t feel like it. You’ve let my former coworkers and distant relatives and exes terrorize me. My birth and childhood disabilities did not change. You tried to me me an illegal alien & someone tried to enroll me in pregnancy disability. My distant nasty relatives are trying to screw with my future survivors benefit pension. They’re nasty greedy people. And frank from sb ssa looks like chris from SP.
Susan A.
I am 67. I collect Social Security monthly. I lost my eyesight in one eye three years ago. I am not able to work to supplement my Social Security. What I qualify for SSI?
A.C.
Hi, Susan. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. S There are times when people can receive both SSI and SSDI, depending on their situation and whether they meet the requirements. For more information about the SSI program and how to apply, please visit our Supplemental Security Income webpage. We hope this helps.
Daniel r.
Hi Susan bless I was born and worked in New York andusa payed SSI in one way or another now I am retired. In Puerto Rico a small insignificant island to most born in USA we are a territory but I worked in USA I was deducted of my pay heck and being we in the island cannot even look at SSI. It a crime in the eyes of USA politics it shouldn’t be ever denied to. Is in the small island of 3,200,000 humane that pay for our social security and who. Know SSI from our pay check living in the 50 states and it’s territory ,is there a race issue for and a gainer us
Matthew P.
fraud trying to use personal info last 4 digits of ss 0412 Matthew Brackin
2873 South state ave
Indianapolis IN 46203 old address is 2507 East Reformers Ave Indianapolis IN 46203 and victim of all this
A.C.
Hi, Matthew. We are sorry to hear about your situation. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information on their website: http://www.idtheft.gov or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). To learn more about the steps individuals can take to prevent or resolve issues of identity theft, check out our publication, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Susan
I’m on a fixed income SSDI my rent is out of control I need help
A.C.
Hi, Susan. We are sorry to hear about your situation. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Martha M.
Can a person become disable after sixty five years, my brother is working as a professor night times, he suffer a heart attack, and has chronic diabetes. I tell him to stop working, he won’t.
A.C.
Hi, Martha. We are sorry to hear about your brother’s condition. Hi, Martha. We are sorry to hear about your brother’s condition. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments are only made to people who become disabled prior to reaching their full retirement age. In general, we pay monthly disability benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. Generally, there is a 5-month waiting period and we’ll pay your first benefit the sixth full month after the date we find your disability began. You can find more information about SSDI and how to apply here.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. For additional information about SSI and how to apply, please visit our Supplemental Security Income webpage. We hope this helps.