US Social Security
Benefits and Disability Assistance

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.

SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.

What is Supplemental Security Income?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program  funded by general tax revenues (not the Social Security System or Social Security taxes):

       * It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or
          no  income; and
       * It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

You can apply for SSI benefits by:

With an appointment, one of the SSA representatives will help you apply for SSI Disability benefits. You can have an appointment to apply for benefits on the telephone or in person at your local Social Security office.

      * Having someone else call and make the appointment for you or assist
         you with your application for SSI benefits.

      * Visiting their office to apply without making an appointment, but you may
         have to wait awhile.

You will have to provide information and work with them to get documents concerning SSI eligibility.

Rules You Must Meet

To get SSI, you must live in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands and be a U.S. citizen or national. In some cases, noncitizen residents can qualify for SSI.

If you are eligible for Social Security or other benefits, you should apply for them. You can get SSI and other benefits if you are eligible for both.

If you live in certain types of institutions, you may get SSI.

If you live in a city or county rest home, halfway house or other public institution, you usually cannot get SSI. But there are some exceptions.

If you live in a publicly operated community residence that serves no more than 16 people, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public institution mainly to attend approved educational or job training to help you get a job, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying more than half the cost of your care, you may get a small SSI benefit.