Can I apply for Supplemental Security Income online?

Possibly, if you are applying due to disability and meet other criteria. Online claiming is still not widely available for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but the Social Security Administration (SSA) says it is working to expand digital options.

SSI provides monthly payments for people who are 65 or older, blind or have a disability and have very limited income and assets. SSI benefits are not funded by the Social Security system, but the SSA oversees the program. In 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for a married couple who both qualify for the program.

Applying requires extensive documentation of your income and other financial resources. If you are filing on the basis of a disability, you will have to provide evidence of your medical history. Social Security has an online checklist of documents you might need.

The process typically includes an interview with an SSI specialist from Social Security, either by phone or in person at an SSA field office. However, you can complete the SSI application process online if you meet all these criteria:

• You are between the ages of 18 and 64 years 10 months.
• You have never married.
• You have not previously applied for SSI for yourself or for a child.
• You are simultaneously filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the other Social Security–run benefit program for people unable to work because of illness or injury. (It is permissible to receive both.)

Otherwise, you can apply by calling Social Security's national customer-service number (800-772-1213) or contacting your local SSA office to schedule an appointment. 

Even if you aren’t eligible to file for SSI digitally, you may still be able to initiate your claim online. The SSA website has an application tool you can use to determine the right route and get started on your claim.