subject: Basic Information About Supplemental Security Income That You Should Know [print this page] Basic Information About Supplemental Security Income That You Should Know
Disability no linger needs to be an unnecessary burden for
those affected. A Federal program provides financial
support for individuals who are in their senior years or are
suffering from blindness or other physical impairments.
This program is called Supplemental Security Income or SSI.
Established in 1974, SSI replaced programs administered by
the national government to support its needy citizens and
provide standardized assistance.
What is Supplemental Security Income?
Supplemental Security Income is a stipend provided monthly
to citizens who are 65 years old or older or have
disabilities. This stipend is paid by the United States
Federal government through the Social Security
Administration. The payment, however, is made using funds
from the U.S. Treasury.
Who qualifies for SSI?
In order to qualify for SSI, a person has to be at least 65
years old, has a vision impairment or is disabled. Visually
impaired individuals should either be completely blind or
legally blind, in which case they should have a 20/200
vision or less even with glasses on. Their field of vision
must also be 20 degrees or less.
To qualify as a disabled person, an individual must
demonstrate his inability to engage in SGA or substantial
gainful activity, either because of a physical impairment
that can be determined medically or a prolonged or
continuous mental impairment that is also expected to
persist for at least 12 months or might result to that
individual's death.
He or she must also be a resident of one of the 50 states in
the U.S.. the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana
Islands. He or she should also be a child of parents
serving permanent military duty in other countries for the
U.S. or a student temporarily studying abroad.
Some legal aliens may also qualify for SSI, although certain
restrictions do apply.
Applicants for the program must also meet the required
income limits as stated by the program. Income limits vary
depending on the state where the person resides. It is also
determined by the type of income the individual receives and
on the number of other people who stay in the same
residence. An individual's access to resources other than
income should also meet the set limit. In general, a single
individual's resources should not be over $2,000 and a
married individual should not exceed $3,000. These
resources should also be non-liquid and cannot be readily
sold for cash within a period of 20 working days.
How do people apply for SSI?
Applicants might get in touch with a Social Security office
in their locality either in person or through a telephone.
Certain information may be required and verified. In the
case of disability, for example, a person's disability may
be checked through the DDS or Disability Determination
Service, in which case the person's medical history and
condition will be assessed or reviewed. The review will be
performed by a disability examiner and a doctor. If the
disability is not confirmed, the DDS will request the
individual to undergo a medical examination which the agency
will pay for.
What is the purpose of SSI?
Supplemental Security Income is a means with which to
provide minimum income for individuals who have disabilities
to help meet their economic needs. It acts as supplementary
income for people to cover for their basic needs and living
expenses. As such, the amount paid out varies from one
person to another since their personal financial situation
is put into account.
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