What You Should Know About the SSI Program
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash assistance to people with limited income and few resources.
But … how much do you really know about this program?
SSI provides monthly payments to people who are age 65 or older, completely or partially blind, or considered disabled under Social Security’s strict definition of disability. Social Security pays benefits to people who aren’t able to work due to a medical condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death. Blind or disabled children of parents with limited income and resources can also be eligible for the program.
To qualify for SSI, you’ll need to meet strict income and resources requirements. Income is money you earn, such as wages, disability benefits, and pensions. Income can also include the value of items you get from someone else, like food and shelter. Social Security doesn’t count all of your income, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Different states also have different rules on how much income you can bring in each month and still get SSI.
Resources include the things you own, although we don’t count everything. For instance, we don’t count a house you own and live in, and we usually don’t count your car. We do count income from rental property, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. Also, to receive SSI, you must meet other program rules about residency and citizenship. You can find more information about income and resources and eligibility requirements on our website.
SSI payments are the same amount nationwide. In 2016, the basic monthly SSI payment is $733 for an individual and $1,100 for a couple. However, the amount you get may be different. It depends on your income and living arrangements. Some states also add money to the basic benefit.
If you think you may be eligible, apply now. You can contact us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to set up an appointment to apply for SSI at your local Social Security office. Please visit our website for more information.
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Tags: Disability, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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cynthia r.
can I work if I get ssi
R.F.
Hello Cynthia. Yes, you’re allowed to work while receiving SSI benefits. Our web page: “Understanding Supplemental Security (SSI) Income” provides an example of how your “countable income” affects your monthly SSI payments. (See EXAMPLE B: SSI Federal Benefit with only EARNED INCOME).
We hope this helps!
frances f.
my brother is currently going through a divorce , his marriage lasted 10 years he receives SSI benefits. will his ex spouse continue to receive his SSI after his death?
A.C.
Hi, Frances. We are sorry to hear about your brother’s situation. Benefits issued through our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, are based on the needs of the individual and are only paid to the qualifying person. There are no spouse’s, children’s or survivors benefits payable. In certain cases, a spouse and children may qualify for family benefits. Social Security survivor benefits are based on the earnings of the person who died, not based on need like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Benefits Planner for Survivors webpage. We hope this helps.
Michael E.
I am currently on SSI and I am considering apply for Social Security retirement. How will this affect my SSI?
kathleen K.
i need to know about double dipping my friend gets her ssi and 1/2 of her husbands why cann’t I
R.F.
Hello Kathleen. Some people with low income & limited resources, may be able to receive both the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and “regular” Social Security benefits, depending on their situation and whether they meet all the requirements.
Generally, the more countable income you have, the less your SSI benefit will be. If your countable income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI benefits. Some of your income may not count as income for the SSI program. Visit our web page: Understanding Supplemental Security Income SSI Income — 2018 Edition for more information.
If you think you may be eligible, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to set up an appointment to apply for SSI at your local Social Security office. Representatives at our toll free number are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
WE A.
I am completely broke with no assets at all. My and my wife have finally got into public housing, She does not work, because she takes care of me. I have copd, I’m bipolar and have made a good salary. Why does it take so long to get approved? I have and the doctors have sent all of them to the social security administration I have all of my doctor reports including my physiological reports from my doctor. I think I am just applying for social security supplement insurance? My wife has ptsd and can’t work? how much can we both get on social security supplement insurance?
Thomas W.
Sir., I am relatively broke, living only on SS and SSI at about 930.00 bucks a month! I have bought Sub penny stocks over the years, not lately though, and have lost 99.9 percent of the time! I am trying to eventually buy a car or van when I sell out the 2 remaining P-Stocks I continue to hold that show promise! How much I lost over the years is not exactly know, but it amounts to 1,000’s of dollars!
I just discovered that P-Stocks are speculative and usually illiquid which I found out by myself when I tried to sell out (VOIS) but couldn’t!
Now I am having an Audit by SSI, and the ONLY, yes ONLY money I live on is through SS and SSI! I always plan to be transparent, so what do you suggest when February 22nd. comes around and my “Audit” arrives in Orange county, California? I really am scared stiff because I don’t know all the laws and regulations! Plese offer whatever you can? Thanks Tom Atkielski (twatkielski@yahoo.com) or 714-420-7544! I it will cost me, I won’t be able to afford it!
R.F.
Hello Thomas. The Social Security Administration conducts medical reviews and a review of your income, resources, and living arrangements from time to time to be sure that you are still eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and are getting the correct payment.
Please continue working with your local office for assistance on this matter. Thanks!
Lenore P.
Please help me find the code or regulations that require SSI recipients to apply for early retirement benefits. I cannot find them. I’m also considering how these reduced benefits (which remain reduced throughout the lifetime) might come back to hurt the individual later.
Thanks.
Kennedi
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Harli
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Roger B.
I applied for supplemental security income in June of 2017. I was denied because I was 240 dollars over the limit to qualify. I appealed this decision in July. I sent them all of my financial records as they requested and it seems as if it still is not enough. They want the same information again after I had already sent them what they wanted. I called the central call center at 1 800 772 1213
and the people I talked to told me they have nothing on their system that showed I had appealed the decision
but when I called back just last week the person I talked to told me they had requested more financial records about the money I have. I appealed in July, and again in September along with all of my financial records. It is now the last week of November and they want the same information I had already sent them. I called the central call center and the person I talked to said they had sent me a notice about how I was to send this information in.
I told the call center I never received a notice and they blamed the US post office for the fact I never got the notice. That was in the middle of October of this year.
I am going to do the only thing else I can do and that is going to the local office, which actually isn’t my local office because it is in a different county than the one I live in. I am going to have my bank give me two copies of my monthly statements, notarized and signed as received by the local office. I don’t know what else I can do because I have six hundred dollars to my name and if this doesn’t work I stand the chance to lose everything I have because I can not pay the property tax on my house or the insurance on my car. Cna someone please help me? I do not have nowhere else to go. And no one else to talk to.
R.F.
Hello Roger, we apologize for this inconvenience. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the office manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit your local servicing office, you may call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.