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Qualifications for SSI Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal government entity that oversees retirement and disability benefits for individuals who have a significant work history that included paying Social Security taxes. However, individuals without a sufficient work history for disability or retirement benefits may still receive money from SSA if they become disabled or age 65 or older through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a public assistance program that provides cash benefits to these individuals. Certain qualifications must be met to receive SSI.

  1. Elderly or Disabled

    • You must be either age 65 or older or disabled to qualify for SSI. Disability is defined for SSI determination purposes as being a condition that results in the inability to perform work that is expected to last for more than 12 months or result in death. You may qualify if you are blind, which is defined by SSA as having "central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye with use of a correcting lens" or having "a visual field limitation in your better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees," you automatically qualify for SSI, as long as the remaining eligibility criteria are met.

    Residency

    • You must be a resident of one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands to qualify for SSI.

    Citizenship

    • You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying alien to receive SSI. If you are an alien and are unsure if you are eligible for SSI, contact SSA at 800-772-1213.

    Other Sources of Income

    • As a condition to receive SSI, you must apply for all other potential sources of income. For example, if you are potentially eligible for a pension from an employer or are due benefits from the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA), you must apply for these first. When you apply for SSI, you are also applying for Social Security disability or retirement benefits, so SSA will determine your eligibility for these as well.

    Resources

    • You must not have more than $2,000 in resources if you are single, and not more than $3,000 if you are married to qualify for SSI. Resources include cash on hand, bank accounts, land, houses, vehicles, life insurance, stocks, bonds, IRAs and other items of significant cash value. One house and the land it occupies and one vehicle are excluded from this calculation if the home is your primary residence and the vehicle is your primary mode of transportation.

    Income

    • You must meet income requirements to qualify for SSI. The first $20 of most types of income and the first $65 of employment earnings do not count toward income limits. Only one-half of employment earnings over $65 are counted toward your income limit. The actual income limit varies depending on a variety of factors, including your age, whether or not you are a student and if you are blind. Contact SSA at 800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office to determine whether or not you meet SSI income limit requirements.

    Disqualifying Factors

    • If you are a fugitive, felon or are currently in prison or jail, you are ineligible for SSI, regardless of whether you meet other requirements.

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