|  | Conditions Treatments | Disabilities

SSI Disability Benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a financial assistance program that provides monthly support checks to low-income, blind and disabled people and seniors over 65. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), disabled or blind children can also receive SSI. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance, you can receive SSI even if you have not worked prior to qualifying. Although SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration, the funds you receive do not come out of Social Security taxes; the program is funded with federal taxes by the U.S. Treasury. SSA has several criteria to determine if you are eligible for SSI.

  1. Verification of Income

    • SSI is based in part on your income, which is money that you may bring in from your job, any Social Security benefits you may already be receiving and pension checks. SSI exempts some funds that may be considered income, such as any money that you spend to allow you to continue working your job while disabled, i.e. a wheelchair or special chair for back problems, a cane (either for the blind or for walking assistance), and in some cases, transportation to and from work. SSI does include the income that your spouse brings in, but allows exemptions of the first $20 that you receive as income in a month (does not include wages), and $65 off any income that you bring in from your job.

    Catalog of Resources

    • Resources are anything that you (and your spouse, if applicable) own. When figuring your SSI benefits, SSA will consider any bank accounts you and your spouse have, as well as cash, stocks and bonds, and real estate. They will not include your vehicles, your home, or any life insurance policies you and your spouse may have, and will leave you at least $1,500 each for burial expenses. If you are single, you should be able to get SSI with a net worth of $2,000 or less; for married couples, the base amount that you need to be under is $3,000.

    Other Criteria You Must Meet

    • According to the SSA, if you are entitled to benefits, you should definitely apply for them. Often, there are additional benefits that you can receive that you may not know about. If you are institutionalized, you may be eligible for SSI. If Medicaid is paying more than half of your care while you are in either a public or private institution, you may be eligible for a small benefit amount. If you are homeless and live in an emergency shelter, you may be able to get benefits. If, however, you are in a state-run home such as a halfway house, you may not be able to apply for SSI.

    How to Apply for Benefits

    • If you choose to apply online, you can begin the application process at www.socialsecurity.gov. After SSA reviews your application, it will contact you about going into a Social Security office to meet with a case worker. Make sure that you have your Social Security card, proof of citizenship, birth certificate, rent or mortgage information for your home (including your landlord's contact information, if applicable), and any other documentation that reflects your income from your job or any other benefits that you receive. If you are applying for SSI due to disability or blindness, bring any medical information you have, such as names of doctors who have treated you and your medical records. You must also bring your checking or savings book, so that SSA can set up direct deposit for you.

    Additional Benefits You May Receive

    • If you are not already receiving food stamps, apply for them at the same time that you apply for your SSI. In most cases, as low or no income, you will qualify. The benefit amount varies from state to state and your economic status, so be sure to ask your case worker about food stamps.

      According to the IRS, with the advent of the stimulus laws that passed in February 2009, if you or your family receive Social Security Benefits and/or SSI, you may have been eligible for an Economic Recovery Payment in 2009. This stimulus payment has no effect on your food stamps or your SSI benefits. SSA will pay out $250 as a one-time benefit. If you are not sure if you received the Economic Recovery Payment, check with your SSI office before filing your taxes in 2010.

Disabilities - Related Articles