Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a federal program that provides cash assistance to people with low income who are disabled, blind, or over the age of 65. This program is designed to help eligible individuals meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. In addition, SSI recipients may also be eligible for other benefits, such as Medicaid or food stamps.

Eligibility Requirements for SSI

To be eligible for SSI, a person must meet the following requirements:

Be disabled, blind, or over 65 years of age.
Be a U.S. citizen or national, or in certain categories of eligible non-citizens.
Have limited income and resources.

Limited Income

Income is the money you receive, such as wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and money from friends or relatives. Also included in income are things as food and shelter you get free or for less than the fair market value. If you have a disability and have other expenses related to work you may still be eligible for SSI.

Limited Resources

If the things you own are worth $2,000 or less, then you may be able to get SSI. A couple may be able to get SSI if their resources worth $3,000 or less. Some things are not counted when the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides if you can get SSI, such as the house you own if you live in it, and usually, they don’t count your vehicle. However, they do count cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. They automatically exclude some things like ABLE accounts, some trusts, and some burial funds. You may be eligible even if you think you have resources over these limits.

2023 SSI Income and Resource Eligibility Table

(from the SSA.Gov website)

Gross wages or net self-employment income	Income from pensions or gifts, etc.	Resources (things you own)
Less than $1,913 per month in wages (before taxes and other deductions) or self-employment (after deduction of allowable business expenses) if you are an individual.	Less than $934 per month if you are an individual.	Less than $2,000 total if you are an individual.
Less than $2,827 per month in wages (before taxes and other deductions) or self-employment (after deduction of allowable business expenses) if you are a couple.	Less than $1,391 per month if you are a couple.	Less than $3,000 total if you are a couple.

How SSI Works

SSI is different from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. However, the medical requirements are the same for both programs. To get disability payments, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Also, under both programs, they consider a person “blind” if their vision is no better than 20/200 or a limited visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye with the use of eyeglasses. A person whose sight is not poor enough to be “blind” may still be considered to have a qualifying disability.

The amount of the monthly payment is based on the recipient’s income, living arrangements, and other factors. In addition to the monthly payment, SSI recipients may be eligible for other benefits such as Medicaid or food stamps.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly financial assistance to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. To apply for SSI, an individual must fill out an application and provide documentation of income, resources, and disability. In this article, we will discuss how to apply for SSI.

How to Apply for SSI

To apply for SSI, an individual must fill out an application and provide documentation of income, resources, and disability. There are two options for applying for SSI: by making an appointment for assistance with the application process, or by starting the application online. Note: If you are age 65 or older, you should follow Option 1 to request an appointment.

Option 1: Making an Appointment for Help with the Application Process

If you need help with your SSI application, you can request an appointment online or by phone. To Request an Appointment Online, you will need to provide the following information:

The name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, phone number, and email address (optional) for the person who wants to apply for SSI.
Your name, phone number, and email address (optional) if you are helping someone else.

To request an appointment by phone, call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213.

Option 2: Starting the Application Online

You can also start the SSI application process online. Before you begin, make sure you understand what to expect and the information and documents you will need to complete the application.

If you are between the ages of 18-64, you can start the SSI application process online by clicking on this link “Start the SSI Application“. If you are applying for a child, you can visit the Child SSI Page. Once you submit your information, you may be contacted later by a representative from SSA.

Documentation Required for SSI Application

When applying for SSI, you will need to provide documentation of the following:

Income: You will need to provide documentation of all income, including wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, and any other sources of income.
Resources: You will need to provide documentation of all resources, including bank accounts, real estate, and personal property.
Disability: You will need to provide documentation of your disability, including medical records and a statement from your doctor.