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SSI Medical Benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit provided by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA). If an individual eligible for SSI does not have health insurance, he can sign up for his prospective state's Medicaid health insurance program while applying for SSI or by seeking an application from a local Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office.

  1. Social Security Disability vs. Supplemental Security Income

    • The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides qualified applicants with financial assistance. The SSA states that 20-year-olds have a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. Consequently, the SSDI program provides support to individuals in this situation who have not worked, or are expected to be unemployed, for at least 12 months because of a disability.

      The SSI program is a supplemental income program that provides those eligible with additional cash assistance. The SSI program also can help an individual receive food benefits and enroll in a state's Medicaid program. Alternatively, if an individual receives Medicaid prior to becoming disabled, her Medicaid benefits will still continue. The SSA states that 32 states in the U.S. provide Medicaid to those who qualify for SSI.

    Qualifying for Benefits

    • To qualify for SSI benefits, an individual must meet the income guidelines and qualify for SSDI, be over the age of 65 or blind. Additionally, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.

      Those applying for SSDI must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident, paid Social Security taxes through an employer and be at least 18 years of age. Qualifying individuals must not be able to participate in gainful activities -- such as earn an income -- and have a condition that has lasted for at least 12 months, is expected to last a minimum of 12 months or will result in the person's death. Qualifying conditions must be "severe and marked," according to the SSA. These conditions can include those that affect the digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, neurological, immune or musculoskeletal system. Those with mental, hematological, skin, and neurologic disorders, as well as those with a neoplastic disease, may qualify for SSDI.

    Application

    • An individual can fill out an SSDI and SSI application with the assistance of a Social Security representative over the telephone or at a local Social Security office. The SSA also can mail an application to an individual's home to fill out and mail to the closest SSA office. An individual also can submit an application online through the SSA website. The SSA reports that SSI and Medicaid application are one in the same in some U.S. jurisdictions, but some individuals may need to fill out separate Medicaid applications in some jurisdictions, which they can find at their local DHHS office.

    Information Needed

    • On an SSDI and SSI application, an individual needs to provide information regarding her tax return for the previous year, wage history, employment history, contact information, Social Security number and date of birth. Applicants also will need to provide detailed information regarding the disabling condition, including the date when the condition began, the contact information of physicians, dates of medical tests and hospitalizations, and information regarding prescription medications. If an individual must fill out a separate Medicaid application, he will need to provide much of the same personal information, but not as many details about the disabling condition.

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