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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Douglas
SS and SSI a fat joke and all we get is the scraps from our government. shaking my head I get SSI it is like being in kindergarten and we always have too take a nap. Very disappointing being a disabled US citizen!!
Paula
I couldn’t agree more with you! I’m also on SSI and I can’t even get on my “my social security” page to even find out what’s going on. Relying on the fake news for information is as much a joke as the fake Biden being marched around! How horrible our government is…shame on them! Shame on their leadership and shame on them for getting our hopes up about being taken care of in our older years or needed them years to take care of us… Yeah like can we all say PURGE!!! THATS EXACTLY WHAT THEY’RE DOING TO AS MANY AS THEY CAN!
Cynthia N.
Bullied, verbally and physically abused in an assisted living facility I called the state at least 7 times they came out the nurse verbally and bullying me was fired but the director at my facility made sure she could work at another facility with elderly on her papers the reason she was let go. The lady who physically abused me I was knocked down to the ground in our dining room and nothing was done I called the police they lied to the police officer and she went to the hospital to be assessed she had dementia I did not know it she’s only been here a couple of weeks threw me down in the dining room on the floor over to the other table and they get nothing about it and she lived here for over a year and a half after calling the state many many times then they realized because she was aggressive that she needed to be placed but it took them that long after she hurt me and I had permanent damage on my arm for them to find her a place the director kept saying I’m looking into it I can’t find her a place to place her well he lied so now I am moving because they keep harassing me and I called the state so many times that I think they’re getting tired of me calling. I have called the ombudsman several times they come out and nothing’s done what do I do I’ve done everything I think I could do I’m having to move now thank the Lord I lived here six and a half years at this facility and the last two and a half years of living here have been a nightmare I got behind in my rent because of the emotional abuse they’ve been putting me through I have to go to therapy I’m very depressed so I don’t know what else to do if you can help me please help me they shouldn’t get away with this
Ann C.
Hi, Cynthia. We are sorry to hear about your situation. If you are in a life-threating situation, call 911. If you suspect that something isn’t right – but nobody seems to be in immediate danger – contact:
You can also find additional local resources by searching the Eldercare Locator for your community. We hope this helps.
Elizabeth J.
I used to get benefits when I was a kid and I hav been cut off of SSI because they said I didn’t qualify anymore and since things hav gotten a lot worse and I can’t even buy anything to eat Im doing worse than the worses person I don’t understand how I got here, I’m not use to going through things like this I’m so unhappy and no one will help me. Please help my get my SSI back it’s really hard living this way.
Ann C.
Hi, Elizabeth. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 questions. 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. You 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 you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Lori T.
I have been trying to get SSDI since at least 2016. I have an attorney and still nothing gets resolved.
I had a roommate to split rent & utilities til she moved out first if June. 2023. I live below all income thresholds I have found guidelines for, but still, I am only on SSDI, missed out on all backpay opportunities and without a roommate, I fear the inevitable will be homelessness. This is a very scary time for this 66 year old divorced woman, I just don’t know what to do anymore, as everything’s crashing in around me.
Ann C.
Hi, Lori. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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. You 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 you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Ronald S.
Ronald S.
June 15, 2023 7:27PM
Hi. I am currently applying for survivor benefits. I was scheduled a phone interview. I was then asked to show proof of marriage license. Mind you. The only evidence of the Marriage License is a Cash Ticket with its number 362675 stamped Paid for Marriage Licenses #83570 amount $35.00 to Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court. Will this bit of information suffice I can’t see paying for another one. When I have my signed receipt of the transaction.
Carol H.
Until July of 2022 I received SSI, snap,utility help. My house was costing me too much to keep up and I put it on the market in June a d it sold immediately. I called SS security office in Ohio where I lived, and I called my Social Worker several times, finally I left a message on the answering machine. I calling the utilities and snap. The reason for the calls were to inform them I was moving. I knew I would lose what I had from Ohio and would have to reapply for benefits in Indiana. My daughter and husband we’re building a barn and I ask if I could have an apartment built in it and I would supply what I had made from my house to buy appliances and other needs for an elderly person. They agreed and started the project. I was informed I had to pay back the July SSI and I understood that and sent it in as soon as I received the paperwork for it. I found out I could still receive snap as long as there was no food sharing. I was living in a room in my daughters home until the apartment was finished. As the day of the finished apartment came close I started to reapply for benefits, when I had my phone appointment I was told I was wrong giving my daughter the money. I tried to explain I didn’t give her the money to go out and have a good time on that it was used for MYplace to live. It didn’t seem to matter what I said after that . I was to receive a document from our conversation in the mail and correct what was wrong. It came and I did as instructed, I personally took the corrected document into SS office myself hoping to talk to someone in person. Again I was met with some kind of attitude like I was trying to commit fraud, when the young man saw the number of corrections on the document he said “YOU MUST HAVE LIED”! I replied with shock, and told him the day of the interview I thought maybe the girl was having a bad day because she was very short with me . He took the papers into the back somewhere and was gone quite a while. When returning he handed back what I gave him and said he made copies, they would be reviewed and I would receive the results in the mail. I did and I was denied any benefits and would not be able to reapply until September 2024. I could not figure out what I did so wrong. I was going to appeal and go before a judge, I was told what to do and then I had a question about getting a date and I talked to a very nice lady at SS and she said that I didn’t need to go through all that , just bring the receipts and prove where the money went and prove it is for . My daughter gathered all the bills which amounted to way more than $20 thousand dollars. I walked the information into the SS office and again talked to another young man that wouldn’t even take it to the back to someone, he said I would have been better off taking the money and running with it, whatever that meant. I was trying to be honest and it came off I did something wrong. So I live on $700 a month, not because I never worked but the last 20 years of my life I worked for my husband and he never paid me, so nothing went into SS. Our marriage ended and I worked until I was 70, and Health made it so I could no longer work. So here I am and I don’t know what I did wrong.
Ann C.
Hi, Carol. We are sorry to hear that. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call or visit. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Monica L.
Give it up, your screwed, just have to go back to work.!
I’m not enjoying the same boat your in .
Leaann w.
I am trying to gather some understanding. I currently receive SSI. I am also entitled (when time comes) to half of my ex husbands SS. Would I still collect under SSI and his SS. If I lose my SSI would I also lose my medicaid.
Beckie E.
Deborah B.
I hope this helps you.
If you’re receiving medical or snap (food) assistance and you have no income, I believe, if you can work, you go through a program to help you with getting a good job.
You may want to file for SSI or get financial assistance from social services.
If you live without your husband, apply for hud, rental assistance. They figure out what you’ll pay and what they’ll pay. If you’re not working, you may get the full benefit. They would pay all of your rent, if you qualify.
Plus, they inspect the place you want to rent. Hud does a lot to help people.
Apply for LEAP through social services. There’s an online site to sign up.
If you have children and no place to go, call the local charities (Salvation Army, Goodwill, St Vincent de Paul etc)
I know they had hotel vouchers, so the children didn’t have to stay outside, in the elements. I don’t know if they still offer those.
LEAP helps with natural gas (xcel), If they have the funding, they help with your water bill (once)
Get on a constant billing with black hills for your electric bill. You’ll pay the same amount every month.
I know a few other things you can apply for. I didn’t want to bombard you with too much.
Reach out, I know a few things that help those in need.
I’m on SSDI and I had to find places to help me when I had my home of 25 years ripped right out of my hands.
If I can help, I will or point you in the right direction.
Be well and stay safe.
Josephine L.
I don’t understand what to do next I applied I but they said to submit a sign application I don’t know what to sign at.
Ann C.
Hi, Josephine. We are sorry to hear that. 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 questions. 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.
Ronald S.
Hi. I am currently applying for survivor benefits. I was scheduled a phone interview. I was then asked to show proof of marriage license. Mind you. The only evidence of the Marriage License is a Cash Ticket with its number 362675 stamped Paid for Marriage Licenses #83570 amount $35.00 to Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court. Will this bit of information suffice I can’t see paying for another one. When I have my signed receipt of the transaction.
Ann C.
Hi, Ronald. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Edra T.
I receive survivor benefits,but am homeless,I always hear I make to much to receive extra help.
A.Marshall
Hi and thank you for the help info, if you can help me on getting help with bills and all of the housing please let me know.
Ann C.
Hi. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.
Ann C.
Hi, Leaann. 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 questions. 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.
Deborah B.
How will I know if I qualify for this? Do I have to apply for this?
Jacinta
Jacinta
Ann C.
Hi, Deborah. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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 you can apply, please visit our Supplemental Security Income webpage. You 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 you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Ana H.
Aplique para SSI porque mi Beneficio del SS es muy bajo, pero me fue negado porque tengo un vehículo que puede valer $2.500,00 y en el banco $200,00 para pagar servicios, comida, etc. supere los límites
Ahora dicen en este artículo que puede uno tener los dos (2) beneficios???
A que están jugando con nosotros los adultos de más de 70 años de edad????
Monica k.
So are we or are we not going to receive extra help with one time pay. Making June have extra playdate for ppl. On disability??
Ann C.
Hi, Ana. Thanks for visiting our blog. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial, or http://www.twitter/segurosocial. For Social Security information in other languages, please visit us at http://www.ssa.gov/multilanguage. Thanks!
Mary W.
applied 12 2014 for disabilty it was denied and appealed to federal court issued a stay during covid 2020 may. oct 2020 received motion to dismiss responded to motion recivied delivery slips in malil unable to get any answers from court or ssi till reopened offices in 2022 informed it was denied because it was late being filed after being on docket and tranfered to another court assijgned ax magistrate judge never recieved notice of denial until offfice gave me a copy of court order saying maybe was backloged in mail. reapplied was approved i have rheumatoid asrthritis. date on new application was 2018 when last appeal denied but only recieved frpm appliction date not disability onset waited a year to find out i- was denied and not notified how do i get benifits from azctual onset of disabilty not date on new app
Ann C.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 questions. 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.
Sherrie F.
They are doing appts through the phone . I ha d to settle for SSI because o hadn’t work in the last 10yrs but worked the rest of my Life ain’t that nice. Hey get you a attorney you’ll get it straightedge out. Just hang in there and people you shouldnt lose medicaid until retirement age and if you can hold off until 67 or 70 even better!!! Good Luck!!!