Supplemental Security Income – What Is It and Who Qualifies?

The Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) is part of the federal government’s social safety net for American citizens. Although the Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the program, it's important to note that the SSI is not the same benefit as Social Security.

One big difference between SSI and Social Security is where the money comes from. The Social Security payments you get when you retire are paid from money you and your employers paid into the fund when you were still working. SSI benefits, on the other hand, are paid out of the US Treasury’s general revenue fund — completely separate from the retirement funds that comprise your Social Security money.

Another big difference is how SSI is financial help for people who are disabled or blind. Most SSI beneficiaries—about 85%—are elderly, but there are close to one million recipients who are children.
 

Who Qualifies for SSI?

You must meet several strict standards to qualify for SSI assistance.

Most applicants—about 60%—are actually turned down. This is primarily because they have income or assets above the eligibility limits.

The rules for eligibility are also different for residents of US territories. If you live in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, you’re eligible for assistance under the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) federal block grant. However, if you’re in American Samoa, you don’t qualify for any aid. Only citizens who live in the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for SSI.

Some Non-citizens May Qualify for SSI

There are some exceptions for non-citizens to get SSI help. They must be in the qualified alien category, and meet additional SSI conditions. Some examples of these are being a lawfully admitted permanent alien, a designated refugee or asylum seeker, or a Cuban or Haitian entrant.

SSI Eligibility Requirements

When you apply for benefits under SSI, you must meet all of these criteria.

• Be disabled or over 65. Blindness counts as a disability
• Be a legal US citizen, or a legal alien who meets certain other requirements
• Have assets below $2000 for an individual, or $3000 for couples
• Live in a US state, Washington, D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands
• Be a child of military parents on permanent assignment outside the US, or a student temporarily living abroad

Since SSI eligibility is strictly income and asset based, your marital status and household income may have an impact on your eligibility. For example, if you are disabled and have no assets in your name, but your spouse does have assets, you don’t qualify.

Any income sources for your household count against you when SSA is determining your benefits. This is also the case if you live in a Medicaid facility,

The maximum amount of SSI an individual can receive in 2022 is $10,968, or $912 per month. Couples tap out at $16,452, or $1,371 monthly.

If there are other income sources, the SSA has a formula for benefit deductions. The average individual monthly assistance is ~$600 as of May 2023.

"Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays monthly financial assistance for people who have limited income and resources, and are blind, disabled, or 65 or older.

What about Other Forms of Assistance?

Thirty-five states and Washington, D.C. all automatically consider SSI beneficiaries eligible for Medicaid benefits. Medicaid provides health insurance for qualified families and individuals, as well as long-term support services, wheelchairs, lifts, and supportive housing services.

The majority of SSI recipients also are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), and about 25% get housing assistance through the Section 8 voucher program.

Are Children Eligible for SSI?

Children who have a physical or mental disability, including blindness, may qualify for SSI if the child’s parents meet the income and asset thresholds. Eligibility is determined by the length of the disability—it must be diagnosed as lasting at least one year, or with high chances of being fatal.

A child’s eligibility is dated from the onset of the disability.  If the disability was present at birth, that is considered the date that benefits are paid. When the child reaches age 18, they are re-assessed for SSI and fall in the adult beneficiary category.

How to Apply for SSI?

People can typically apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/forms if they are between 18 and 65, have never been married, have never applied for SSI before, and are also applying for SSDI.

Applicants can also call 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment. If they are deaf or hard of hearing and need a TTY number, they can contact 1-800-325-0778.