SSI: 50 Years of Financial Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 31, 2022
We’re celebrating 50 years of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
President Nixon signed the SSI program into law on October 30, 1972. Two years later, in January 1974, the agency began paying SSI benefits to people who meet the eligibility requirements. SSI recipients have limited income and resources, and this monthly payment helps meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Fifty years later, SSI remains a lifeline program for millions of people and households. SSI helps children and adults under age 65 who have a disability or are blind and who have income and resources below specific financial limits. People age 65 and older without disabilities–who meet the financial qualifications–may also receive SSI payments.
If you want to apply for SSI, it’s best to start the process online. The online process takes about five to ten minutes, and no documentation is required to start. We will need the following basic information about you or the person you’re helping:
- The name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, phone number, and email address (optional) of the person who is interested in applying for SSI.
- If helping another person, we need your name, phone number, and email address (optional).
Once you provide this information and answer a few questions, we will schedule an appointment to help you apply for benefits. We will send a confirmation with the appointment date and time by mail and email (if provided). In some cases, we may call you to schedule the appointment.
If you’re unable to begin the process online, you may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. You may also contact your local Social Security office. You can find the phone number for your local office on our website.
Please share this information with your friends and family who need it–and post it on social media.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Tom
Did anyone see this?
Bobby O.
I used to study Law at college, and now I understand how social security works in US. With my friend we launched the project https://write-my-essay.online/write-my-personal-statement/ to help students with their tasks so they have an opportunity to work and study. I think that President Nixon signed the SSI program which could change the lives and I am happy to be the citizen of this country.
Douglas A.
justwonders2@gmail.com Went through the online application for an interview 7 to 14 days they were supposed to contact me never happened. Called the 800 number told if get a call never got a call. Tried online again same issue. Then received a letter saying I said I didn’t want SSI. Never said that to anyone so I write another letter sent along the one I had previously received then got another letter saying the same thing just for a date shortly after my first letter
A.C.
Hi, Douglas. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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 manager on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Leon G.
Is ssi get money on the 9th of nov
ENRIQUE A.
Cordial saludo. Al retirarme de mi trabajo en DISNEY en enero de 2018, tenía un pago de pensión mensual de $916 Dólares y hoy estoy recibiendo un pago mensual de $776.90, que no me alcanzan para vivir con calidad de vida. En lugar de mejorar me han disminuido mi pensión.
No es justo con la inflación que castiga el valor real de mi pensión.
A.C.
Hi, Enrique. Thank you 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!
Jerry
Inflation is bad and getting worse, $811 doesn’t go far enough we need more money
Congress has a bill for extra $200 🙄 waiting to pass hopefully by the end of the year 😀 we need it we are not surviving the economy [democrats] BIDEN trying to go commy giving the USA to China and WEF, ESG????
Tom
Hi Jerry,
Be happy that you get “free” money.
Do you get extra help for basic necessities? Do you get food share? Do you receive Medicaid? Do you have assets…($ in the bank… stocks/bonds/life insurance/Ira/annuity… a car?
A lot of people that have worked for YEARS…and had retirement Ira/annuity/stocks bonds/$ in the bank…
And BOOM… became disabled…and unable to work anymore…and have had to use/live off of Ira/annuity $ in bank (all deprecated) for basic necessities and FOOD before getting SSDI (social security disability)…
We don’t revive “free” money SSI…We don’t receive ANY extra help… Why?
Although we have had to spend all we had…all…supposedly we are not living in “poverty”…
After paying all basic necessities… FOOD… health insurance… SSDI $… I am minus $347 each month… and live off of a credit card. AND to pay for credit card… I have to do without food lots of times… skip paying a utility bill..skip rent for a month…
We are suffering… no one cares about us…
And you say your not surviving because (Democrat’s -Biden)
Why do think that? You are taken of.
You get “free” money and assistance for basic necessities and FOOD and health care…
You are surviving the cost of living through the government and agencies and charities.
AND sympathy.
Not us. We get nothing… and we have nothing… not even sympathy.
Be thankful
Tom
Tom
November 2, 2022 10:00AM
Hi Jerry,
Be happy that you get “free” money.
Do you get extra help for basic necessities? Do you get food share? Do you receive Medicaid? Do you have assets…($ in the bank… stocks/bonds/life insurance/Ira/annuity… a car?
A lot of people that have worked for YEARS…and had retirement Ira/annuity/stocks bonds/$ in the bank…
And BOOM… became disabled…and unable to work anymore…and have had to use/live off of Ira/annuity $ in bank (all deprecated) for basic necessities and FOOD before getting SSDI (social security disability)…
We don’t revive “free” money SSI…We don’t receive ANY extra help… Why?
Although we have had to spend all we had…all…supposedly we are not living in “poverty”…
After paying all basic necessities… FOOD… health insurance… SSDI $… I am minus $347 each month… and live off of a credit card. AND to pay for credit card… I have to do without food lots of times… skip paying a utility bill..skip rent for a month…
We are suffering… no one cares about us…
And you say your not surviving because (Democrat’s -Biden)
Why do think that? You are taken of.
You get “free” money and assistance for basic necessities and FOOD and health care…
You are surviving the cost of living through the government and agencies and charities.
AND sympathy.
Not us. We get nothing… and we have nothing… not even sympathy.
Be thankful
Davonta
After 50years of your claim understand what could be possible to better yourselves
Jeana P.
Could you please let me know the outcome of my ssi Disability
A.C.
Hi, Jeana. 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.
John P.
The Social Security Administration has allowed the Establishment Government to ravage our dollar of value. The inflation is atrocious! However, you received a raise, so all is well!
Hafiza E.
Appreciate for your assistance.this is the best way to help, God bless you and America.🙏👍🤲🏻❤️
Ruth C.
My question concerns the use of the IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) to calculate the cost of Medicare part B for people that are disabled. I had a decent job as an engineer with the Naval Research Laboratory prior to becoming disabled. I saved into my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for my retirement. When I became disabled and needed to use these funds to pay for caregivers, I was penalized by Medicare and the Social Security Administration to pay extra for my Medicare insurance. I used all my TSP/IRA to pay for caregivers and was penalized for years. Why is this fair?
I went to the local Social Security Administration office in 2019 to plead my case and the woman gave me a form to fill out and the IRMAA was stopped temporarily until the following year when I was told my IRMAA would be reinstated and I would have to pay back the 2019 IRMAA that I did not pay. I called SSA and they told me that’s how it is. Therefore, there is no way to eliminate the IRMAA for disabled people so we can afford simple things such as food.
I am unable to get assistance from government agencies to pay for caregivers because my Social Security income is above the poverty limit; this also restricts me from getting any assistance to pay for essentials like electricity, water, food, Internet, and the list goes on. If somebody does not have an education and subsequently a decent paying job, they receive all this and more including pay for caregivers. What’s right with this?
Melinda
OMG!
Hello Ruth,
Thank you!
Happened to me also…
“They” doubled my B and tripled my D 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013…AND at the same time I was paying for a Medicare D plan.
I also had to have a supplement health plan to “cover” the 20% as B is coverage is 80%…(as you know)
If under 65, supplement health plans (if there is a plan that accepts under 65)…have higher premiums than 65 (or older)…
SOMEONE (AGENCY) HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE UNDER 65 FORCED ON MEDICARE…BECAUSE OF DISABILITY…(SSDI).
I spoke to SSA, Medicare, IRS…Disability Rights (Local and Federal).
No understanding…as you were told (“that’s how it is).
We are being punished…for having a disability and can no longer work and earn an income to afford to live! Where is the joy in our lives?
I do not qualify for any help either because I am not below poverty “line” poverty “threshold”
Did you know people collecting SSI… besides getting help for basic necessities and FOOD…can HAVE/KEEP $2,000.00 (I think it might might be $3,000.00) in the bank… their Pensions… IRAs…Stocks/Bonds are protected and are not “counted in” as “assets?”
AND SSI is not considered an income… so they are not taxed.
But they get assistance…for THEIR basic necessities and FOOD… and also qualify for MEDICAID… which is basically “free” for them. A lot of people have dual insurance Medicare and Medicaid…
MEDICAID is like the ” Cadillac” of all health insurances… and covers MORE!
Hmm…BUT WE ARE DISMISSED AND NO ONE CARES…SO WE SUFFER MORE!
Cost of living increase from Social Security…
THE COST OF “LIVING” increases TOO.
G-D forgive when we need new towels…sheets…toiletries a HAIRCUT…
PUNISH US MORE AND PUT US IN DEBT AND HAVE AN EARLY GRAVE!
AND SSI AGENCY IS PROUD OF 50 YEARS OF FINANCIAL SECURITY?
WHAT ABOUT US?!!!
Thank you.
Melinda
OMG!
Hello Ruth,
Thank you!
Happened to me also…
“They” doubled my B and tripled my D 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013…AND at the same time I was paying for a Medicare D plan.
I also had to have a supplement health plan to “cover” the 20% as B is coverage is 80%…(as you know)
If under 65, supplement health plans (if there is a plan that accepts under 65)…have higher premiums than 65 (or older)…
SOMEONE (AGENCY) HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE UNDER 65 FORCED ON MEDICARE…BECAUSE OF DISABILITY…(SSDI).
I spoke to SSA, Medicare, IRS…Disability Rights (Local and Federal).
No understanding…as you were told (“that’s how it is).
We are being punished…for having a disability and can no longer work and earn an income to afford to live! Where is the joy in our lives?
I do not qualify for any help either because I am not below poverty “line” poverty “threshold”
Did you know people collecting SSI… besides getting help for basic necessities and FOOD…can HAVE/KEEP $2,000.00 (I think it might might be $3,000.00) in the bank… their Pensions… IRAs…Stocks/Bonds are protected and are not “counted in” as “assets?”
AND SSI is not considered an income… so they are not taxed.
But they get assistance…for THEIR basic necessities and FOOD… and also qualify for MEDICAID… which is basically “free” for them. A lot of people have dual insurance Medicare and Medicaid…
MEDICAID is like the ” Cadillac” of all health insurances… and covers MORE!
Hmm…BUT WE ARE DISMISSED AND NO ONE CARES…SO WE SUFFER MORE!
Cost of living increase from Social Security…
THE COST OF “LIVING” increases TOO.
G-D forgive when we need new towels…sheets…toiletries a HAIRCUT…
PUNISH US MORE AND PUT US IN DEBT AND HAVE AN EARLY GRAVE!
AND SSI AGENCY IS PROUD OF 50 YEARS OF FINANCIAL SECURITY?
WHAT ABOUT US?!!!
Thank you.