Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI pays monthly cash benefits to individuals who have both limited income and limited resources. The Social Security Administration administers this federal program. If eligible, individuals may receive both SSI and Social Security benefits. And, in most states, a person who receives SSI benefits is automatically eligible for health benefits under Medicaid.
What You Should Know
To qualify for SSI, individuals or couples must be age 65 or older, or blind, or disabled. Individuals or couples also must be U.S. citizens. There are certain exceptions for non-citizens.
Applicants' resources (cash and savings) cannot exceed:
- $2,000 for an individual
- $3,000 for a couple
The bottom line: SSI provides extra money for eligible low-income people.
Certain resources, such as a home, a small burial fund, or one car usually do not count.
Monthly unearned income cannot exceed:
- $870.33 for an individual
- $1160.83 for a couple
These figures will be higher for people who have earned income (earnings from a job, for example).
The amount of the SSI benefit will depend on the income the individual or couple receives. The maximum federal SSI benefit is:
- $850.33for an individual
- $1140.83for a couple
For More Information
A variety of information is provided by the Social Security Administration:
- Supplemental Security Income
General information and eligibility requirements for individuals - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens
Eligibility requirements for non-citizens - SSI State Supplements
A list of states that provide extra income above the federal guidelines
You can find out if you're eligible for SSI by visiting your local Social Security office or calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (English and Spanish). You can apply over the telephone, and it's best to apply as soon as possible. If your application is approved, your benefits will start the month following the date of the application.
Additional help in identifying state and federal assistance programs can be obtained from the National Council on Aging Benefits CheckUp, a free, confidential and simple to use service.
