Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSI is a federal program for people with low income or capital who are 65 or older, or have a disability. The program is paid by the general revenues of the U.S. and, in states which supplement SSI, from state funds.

Who is eligible for SSI?

Only people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and meet certain financial criteria can receive SSI. For children with disabilities, eligibility depends on household income.

What general criteria do I have to meet to receive SSI?

You must live in the U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands.
You must be a U.S. citizen or be in the U.S. legally.
If you're eligible for Social Security or other benefits, you must apply for them. (You can get SSI and Social Security checks if you're eligible for both.)
If you're disabled, you must accept vocational rehabilitation services if they're offered.

What financial criteria do I have to meet to receive SSI?

Social Security looks at your income and what you own to determine your eligibility. Income is money you receive for wages, Social Security checks, and pensions; it also includes items you receive such as food, clothing, or shelter. What you own can include real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, cash, and stocks and bonds.

Where do I have to live to receive SSI?

Your residence plays a role in determining whether you can receive SSI. If you live in a city or county rest home, a halfway house, or other public institution, you may not be able to receive SSI. There are some exceptions:

If you're in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying more than half the cost of your care, you may get a small SSI check.

If you live in a publicly operated community residence which serves no more than 16 people, you may receive SSI.

If you live in a public institution mainly to attend approved educational or job training that will help you get a job, you may receive SSI.

If you're living in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you may be able to receive SSI checks.

How do I apply for SSI?

Visit or call your local Social Security office. Have the following items on hand when you apply:

your Social Security card;
your birth certificate;
information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or lease and landlord's name;
and payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, car registration, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own.

Can I receive SSI and still use federal health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid)?

Yes. In fact, most people who get SSI also get Medicaid. Contact your local social services department for more information about this.

How much are SSI payments?

As the word "supplemental" implies, SSI is designed to raise your income only up to a certain point. The amount you receive depends on whether you have other sources of income and how large they are. If you have outside income, you may not receive the full SSI rate; if you do not have any sources of income, you may receive the full payment. Here are some examples of basic SSI rates posted by Social Security on the Internet on 12/11/95 to give you a sense of their size:

$603.40 independent living arrangement, with cooking facilities
$671.40 independent living arrangement without cooking facilities. (Note: The $68 extra is for eating out.)
$476.77 living in household of another; reduced needs
$736.00 non-medical board and care

To find out more about SSI rates and eligibility, you should call Social Security. For a detailed explanation of the program, ask for a copy of "The Red Book," which is called in full, "A Summary Guide to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives for the Disabled and Blind."

SSI Income and Benefits for January 2001

Effective January 1, 2001 the Supplemental Security Income Federal Benefit Rate is increased according to the 3.5% Cost of Living Adjustment. The federal change will affect the monthly SSI benefit payments as well as the maximum income limits for families with disabled or blind children in Massachusetts (see chart below for income limits).

If your family has previously been slightly over the SSI income limits, your child may now be eligible for benefits under SSI and will also qualify for MassHealth.

Maximum resource limit for a disabled child living with both Parents: $5,000.00; living with one parent: $4,000.00.

Maximum disabled benefit: $644.39
Maximum blind benefit: $679.74

One Parent Family:

Number of Non-SSI Children	Monthly	Annual
0	$2,471.78	$29.661.36
1	$2,736.78	$32,841.36
2	$3.001.78	$36,021.36
3	$3,266.78	$39,201.36

Two Parent Family:

Number of Non-SSI Children	Monthly	Annual
0	$3,003.78	$36,045.36
1	$3,268.78	$39,225.36
2	$3,533.78	$42,405.36
3	$3,798.78	$45,585.36

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Some Internet links to other SSI information sites:

Social Security Online has some authoritative information on SSI.
Basic Facts About Social Security There is some good general information here on both SSI and Social Security Disability benefits put together by Allen, Shea and Associates for the Social Security Administration.
Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics Home Page The Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics (ORES) keeps statistics on SSI, SSDI and other government welfare programs.
New SSI Income and Benefits for January 2001 income limits for families with disabled or blind children in Massachusetts.

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