SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are:
- Age 65 or older;
- Blind; or
- Disabled.
This page explains what Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is, who can get it, and how to apply. It provides basic information and is not intended to answer all questions. For specific information about your situation, you should talk with an experienced Social Security attorney.
The Social Security Administration manages the SSI program. Even though Social Security manages the program, SSI is not paid for by Social Security taxes. SSI is paid for by U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds.
Rules for getting SSI
Your Income and Resources
Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and resources (the things you own).
Income
Income is money you receive such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes such things as food and shelter. The amount of income you can receive each month and still get SSI depends partly on where you live. You can call Social Security to find out the income limits in your state.
Social Security does not count all of your income when Social Security decides whether you qualify for SSI. For example, Social Security does not count:
- The first $20 a month of most income you receive;
- The first $65 a month you earn from working and half the amount over $65;
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps;
- Shelter you get from private nonprofit organizations; and
- Most home energy assistance.
If you are married, Social Security also includes part of your spouse’s income and resources when deciding whether you qualify for SSI. If you are younger than age 18, Social Security includes part of your parents’ income and resources. And, if you are a sponsored noncitizen, Social Security may include your sponsor’s income and resources.
If you are a student, some of the wages or scholarships you receive may not count.
If you are disabled but work, Social Security does not count wages you use to pay for items or services that help
you to work. For example, if you need a wheelchair, the wages you use to pay for the wheelchair do not count as
income when Social Security decides whether you qualify for SSI.
Also, Social Security does not count any wages a blind person uses for work expenses. For example, if a blind person uses wages to pay for transportation to and from work, the wages used to pay the transportation cost are not counted as income. If you are disabled or blind, some of the income you use (or save) for training or to buy things you need to work may not count.
Resources (Things You Own)
Resources that Social Security counts in deciding whether you qualify for SSI include real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds.
You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth no more than $2,000. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth no more than $3,000. If you own property that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get SSI while trying to sell it.
Social Security does not count everything you own in deciding whether you have too many resources to qualify for SSI. For example, Social Security does not count:
- The home you live in and the land it is on;
- Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less;
- Your car (usually);
- Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family; and
- Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse.
Other Rules You Must Meet
To get SSI, you must live in the United States (or the Northern Mariana Islands) and be a U.S. citizen or national. (In some cases, noncitizen residents can qualify for SSI. For more information, get a copy of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051)).
If you are eligible for Social Security or other benefits, you should apply for them. You can get SSI and other benefits if you are eligible for both.
If you live in certain types of institutions, you may get SSI.
If you live in a city or county rest home, halfway house, or other public institution, you usually cannot get SSI. But
there are some exceptions.
If you live in a publicly operated community residence that serves no more than 16 people, you may get SSI.
If you live in a public institution mainly to attend approved educational or job training to help you get a job, you may get SSI.
If you live in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you may get SSI.
If you live in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying more than half the cost of your care, you may get a small SSI benefit.
How to Apply for SSI
If you are applying for SSI, you can complete a large part of your application by visiting Social Security’s website. You also can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an appointment with a Social Security representative.
Parents or guardians usually can apply for blind or disabled children under age 18. In some cases, other third parties can apply for children.
You should take certain items when you apply. Even if you do not have all of the things listed below, apply anyway. The people in the Social Security office can help you get whatever is needed. You should take:
- Your Social Security card or a record of your Social Security number;
- Your birth certificate or other proof of your age;
- Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or your lease and landlord’s name;
- Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own;
- The names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that you have been to, if you are applying for SSI because you are disabled or blind;
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status; and
- Your checkbook or other papers that show your bank, credit union or savings and loan account number.
If you are approved for SSI, you must receive your payments electronically. Payments may be made via direct deposit, the Direct Express® card program, or an Electronic Transfer Account. For more information, visit the U.S. Treasury website.
A Note For People Who Are Blind or Disabled
If you work, there are special rules to help you. You may be able to keep getting SSI payments while you work. As you earn more money, your SSI payments may be reduced or stopped, but you may be able to keep your Medicaid coverage.
You also may be able to set aside some money for a work goal or to go to school. In this case, the money you set aside will not reduce the amount of your SSI.
Blind or disabled people who apply for SSI may get free special services to help them work. These services may include counseling, job training, and help in finding work.
Right to Appeal
If you disagree with a decision made on your claim, you can appeal it. The steps you can take are explained in Your Right To Question A Decision Made On Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claim.
You may handle your own SSI case with free help from Social Security. You also have the right to have a Social Security Disability Attorney represent you. There are rules about who can represent you and what your representative can do. Social Security will work with your attorney as it would work with you. You also can find more information
about representation in Your Right To Representation.
You May Be Able to Get Other Help
If you get SSI, you also may be able to get help from your state or county. For example, you may be able to get Medicaid, food, or other social services. Call your local social services department or public welfare office for information about the services available in your community.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps)
If you get SSI, you might be able to get help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. If everyone in your home is applying for or getting SSI, you can apply for SNAP at a Social Security office.
If you do not live in a home where everyone is applying for or getting SSI, visit the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to find out how to apply.
Medicaid
When you get SSI, you also may get Medicaid, which helps pay doctor and hospital bills. Your local welfare or medical assistance office can give you information about Medicaid.
Help Paying for Medicare
If you get Medicare and have low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other Medicare expenses such as deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide if you qualify. To find out if you do, contact your state or local welfare office or Medicaid agency.
You also may be able to get extra help paying for the annual deductibles, monthly premiums, and prescription co-payments related to the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D). You may qualify for extra help if you have limited income (tied to the federal poverty level) and limited resources. These income and resource limits change each year and are not the same as the SSI income and resource limits. You can contact Social Security for the current numbers.
If you have both Medicaid with prescription drug coverage and Medicare, Medicare, and SSI, or if your state pays for your Medicare premiums, you automatically will get this extra help and you don’t need to apply.
You May Also Be Able to Get Social Security
If you have worked and paid into Social Security long enough, you also may be eligible for Social Security benefits while you are receiving SSI. Retirement benefits can be paid to people age 62 or older and their families. Disability benefits go to people with disabilities and their families. Survivor benefits are paid to the families of workers who have died. If you think you may qualify for Social Security benefits, call Social Security to make an appointment to talk with an SSA representative
You can also visit the Social Security Administration’s website for additional information about SSI, including the following:
- Rules for qualifying for SSI;
- How to apply for SSI; and
- Other help for SSI claims.