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KATS Network > Publications > The Buck Starts Here... > Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Social Security Administration

Overview:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is administered both nationally and locally by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The purpose of the SSI program is to assure a minimum level of income to persons who are elderly or have a disability and have limited income and resources. Specific eligibility criteria must be met. Individuals must meet the SSA's definition of disabled; or blind, but do not need any social security work credits to obtain SSI payments. There is no disability waiting period for SSI. People may be eligible for SSI even if they have never worked, and they may also receive social security payments IF they are eligible for both. Children and adults with disabilities may qualify for SSI payments.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Persons 65 or older who have limited income and resources.
• Persons who are blind (child or adult) or have a disability (child or adult) who have limited income and resources.
• Persons must be a U.S. citizen or be in the U.S. legally.

AT Services Provided/Covered:

No AT services are provided or covered. However, SSI recipients are usually able to get Medicaid and thus access AT services.

AT Devices Provided/Covered:

No AT devices are provided or covered. However, SSI recipients are usually able to get Medicaid and thus access AT devices.

Application Process:

• Apply in person or by phone at your local Social Security office, or call (800) 772-1213 for an appointment with a Social Security representative who will help with the application. Be prepared to provide information about:
  • the medical problem(s) that prevents the individual from working and the date the individual stopped working,
  • names, addresses, and phone numbers of all the doctors, hospitals and clinics visited for medical treatment. (Individuals making applications will be asked to sign forms, which authorize these sources to release your medical records.),
  • information on medical tests including the times and places,
  • jobs for the last 15 years, including the physical and mental demands of each job,
  • education, and
  • current daily activities.

Contact Information:

Contact your local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. For TDD, call (800) 325-0778.

Additional Information:

Social Security publications and information are available on the Internet at http://ssa.gov .

You can access the most recent edition of the Social Security Red Book at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook

Bridges & Potholes:

Bridges

• Not all income and resources are counted in determining eligibility for SSI.
• Generally, the first $20 a month of unearned income and the first $65 a month in earnings are not counted. Also not counted are wages used to pay for items or services needed to work because of a disability. Income above these levels usually reduces the amount of the basic SSI payment by $1 for every $2 earned.
• The maximum monthly payment is 2004 is $564. This amount increases annually.

Potholes

• Whether you can get SSI and the amount of the payments depends on what you own and how much income you have.

• Next Section: Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)
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