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Before applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it is important to learn more about the program, including the eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive benefits, how benefit amounts are calculated and paid out and how to submit an application. Payment amounts are calculated based upon income, resources and the state that an applicant lives within.
The SSI program is a government program offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid qualifying low income applicants who have limited resources through monthly monetary benefits. In the sections below, you will learn about SSI payments and eligibility requirements in order to better prepare yourself for an application. These sections will help you understand what to expect and what you have to do when you apply.
SSI benefits are provided through the Supplemental Security Income program to qualifying elderly, disabled or blind individuals who meet income guidelines. While many people eligible for the SSI program may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits, it is important to understand key differences about these programs. SSI and Social Security benefits differ in a number of ways, including, but not limited to:
If eligible for SSI benefits and Social Security benefits, you may be eligible to participate in both programs.
The max SSI benefit amount possible as of January 1, 2023, is $914 for an individual, $1,371 for a couple, and $458 for an essential person per month. However, most beneficiaries do not receive the maximum amount due to deductions toward household income and potential shelter costs.
Most states provide an additional payment to federal SSI benefits. The states that do not are:
In most cases, state offices will determine the amount of benefits offered as well as provide payments to recipients directly. In cases such as these, you will need to contact your state office in order to determine potential benefit amounts.
Additional state benefits are handled by the Social Security Administration in the following states:
If you are applying for benefits and live in one of these states, you may contact the SSA to determine the state-based benefits that you may be eligible to receive.
Your total SSI payment amounts are based upon several factors, including the current maximum federal benefit amount, any state supplement amount that you may be entitled to and your countable income. Countable income can be income earned through:
However, the. SSA will not consider your non-countable income, such as:
Your SSI payments are calculated by deducting any non-countable income from your gross income in order to determine your countable income. After that, your countable income is subtracted from the current SSI federal benefit rate. The remaining amount will be the Federal SSI amount you will receive, in addition to any supplemental payments from your state, if applicable.
Your SSI payments will be paid to you on the first of each month unless the first falls on a weekend. If this is the case, you will receive your benefits the Friday before the first of the month.
To be eligible for SSI benefits, you must meet one of the following categorical requirements:
In addition to categorical requirements, you must be a United States citizen or have a qualifying and lawful non-citizen status. To be eligible for SSI benefits, you must be a resident of the United States and:
SSI income guidelines are set in place as the program is designed to provide monthly monetary benefits to low-income citizens. SSI income limits also govern asset limitations. For the purposes of SSI, your resources may be considered as income after you have exceeded the resource value of $2,000 per adult or child or $3,000 for a couple. Resources include, but are not limited to:
You may not receive SSI benefits if you are found to be giving away or selling resources in order to reduce your own resources for the purpose of meeting SSI eligibility requirements.
Adults who are 18 years of age or older will be considered disabled for the purpose of SSI if a medically determinable physical or mental impairment is present (including an emotional or learning problem) which:
Requirements for SSI for children expand on general eligibility requirements. For a child under the age of 18 to be considered disabled and potentially be eligible for SSI, the child must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, including an emotional or learning problem, that:
For the purpose of SSI eligibility, both children and adults are considered blind if:
It is important to apply for SSI benefits as soon as possible so that you do not lose benefits as benefits cannot be prorated earlier than the date of your application. You can apply for SSI online or by visiting your local Social Security office. Should you wish to apply at a local SSA office, appointments are available and can help you to reduce your wait time. You can schedule an appointment with the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213.
When applying for SSI, you will be required to provide documentation that will support the information that you have provided on your application. Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide documents such as: