U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Social Security Administration 
Baltimore, Maryland 21235 
SSA Publication No. 05-11000
July 1990 ICN 480200

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

WHAT IS SSI?

SSI is short for Supplemental Security Income. It pays monthly checks
to people who are aged, disabled, or blind and who don't own much or
have a lot of income.

SSI isn't just for adults. Monthly checks can go to disabled and
blind children, too.

People who get SSI usually get food stamps and Medicaid, too.
Medicaid helps pay doctor and hospital bills.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET?

The basic Federal SSI check for one person is $386 a month. The basic
check for a couple is $579 a month. But you may get a lot more if you
live in a State that adds money to the Federal check. Or you may get
less if you have other money coming in.

Your first month's SSI check may be for less than a full month.
That's because you will be paid only for the days since you applied
for SSI. Starting with the second month, you will get your full
check.

OTHER HELP YOU CAN GET

If you get SSI, you also may be able to get other help from your
State or county. For example, you may be able to get Medicaid, food
stamps, or some social services. For information about all the
services available in your community, call your local social services
department or public welfare office.

FOOD STAMPS

People who get SSI usually can get food stamps, too.

If everyone in your house is signing up for SSI or getting SSI, the
Social Security office will help you fill out the food stamp
application.

If you don't live in a house where everyone is signing up for SSI or
getting SSI, you'll have to sign up for food stamps at the local food
stamp office.

The local food stamp office will let you know if you can get food
stamps.

MEDICAID

Usually, when you get SSI you can also get Medicaid. Medicaid helps
pay your doctor and hospital bills. You can get more information
about Medicaid at your local medical assistance office.

WHO CAN RECEIVE SSI?

To get SSI, you must be aged or blind or disabled.

* Aged means you are 65 or older.

* Blind means you are either totally blind or have very poor
  eyesight. Children as well as adults can get benefits because of
  blindness.

* Disabled means you have a physical or mental problem that keeps
  you from working and is expected to last at least a year or to
  result in death. Children as well as adults can get benefits
  because of disability.

Sometimes, a person whose sight is not poor enough to be considered
blind may be able to get checks as a disabled person.

YOUR INCOME AND RESOURCES

Whether you can get SSI also depends on what resources you own and
how much income you have. Resources are the things you own. Income is
the money you have coming in such as wages, Social Security checks,
and pensions. Income also includes non-cash items you receive such as
food, clothing, or shelter.

If you're married, we also look at the resources and income of your
spouse. If you're under 18, we may look at the resources and income
of your parents. And, if you're a sponsored alien, we may also look
at the resources and income of your sponsor.

INCOME

The amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI
depends partly on where you live. In all States, you can usually get
SSI if your income is less than $406 for one person and $599 for a
couple. But many States allow much more income. And Social Security
doesn't count all of your income in deciding if you can get SSI. For
example, we don't count:

* the first $65 a month you earn from working and half of the
  amount over $65;

* food stamps;

* food, clothing, or shelter you get from private nonprofit
  organizations; or

* most home energy assistance.

If you are a student, some of your wages or scholarships you receive
may not count.

If you are disabled but work, Social Security does not count any
wages you use to pay for items or services you need to work because
of your disability. For example, if you need a wheelchair, the wages
you use to pay for the wheelchair don't count as income.

Also, Social Security does not count any wages a blind person uses to
pay expenses that are caused by working. For example, if a blind
person uses wages to pay for transportation to and from work, the
transportation cost isn't counted as income.

If you're disabled or blind, some of the income you use (or save) for
training or to buy things you need to work or earn more money may not
count.

RESOURCES

Resources are things you own, such as real estate, personal
belongings, bank accounts, cash, or stocks and bonds.

A person may be able to get SSI with resources of up to $2,000. A
couple may be able to get SSI with resources of up to $3,000.

Social Security doesn't count everything you own in figuring the
amount of your resources.

* The home you live in and the land it's on do not count.

* Your personal and household goods and life insurance policies
  may not count, depending on their value.

* Your car usually does not count.

* Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family do not
  count.

* Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial
  funds for your spouse may not count.

* If you are disabled or blind, some resources may not count if
  you plan to use them to work or earn extra income.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR BLIND AND DISABLED PEOPLE

If you work, there are special rules to help you. You may be able to
keep getting some money from SSI while you work. As you earn more
money, your SSI checks may go down or stop. Even if your SSI checks
stop, you may be able to keep your Medicaid coverage.

You also may be able to got to school. The people at Social Security
can tell you how to do this. The people at Social Security can tell
you how to do this. The money you set aside isn't counted under the
SSI income or resource limits. Therefore, it won't reduce the amount
of your SSI check. If you're already working, setting aside some of
your money might help you be able to get SSI.

Blind or disabled people who apply for SSI may get special services
from their State. These services include counseling, job training,
and help in finding work.

OTHER RULES YOU MUST MEET

Before you can get SSI, you also must meet other rules.

* You must live in the U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands.

* You must be a U.S. citizen or be in the U.S. legally.

* If you're eligible for Social Security or other money benefits,
  you must apply for them. (You can get SSI and Social Security
  checks if you're eligible for both.)

* If you're disabled, you must accept vocational rehabilitation
  services if they are offered.

IF YOU LIVE IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INSTITUTION

People who live in city or county rest homes, halfway houses, or
other public institutions usually cannot get SSI checks. But there
are some exceptions.

If you live in a publicly operated community residence which 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 that will help you get a job, you may get
SSI.

If you're living in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you
may be able to get SSI checks.

If you're in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying
more than half the cost of your care, you may get SSI. But your
monthly SSI check will usually be no more than $30. (In some States,
it will be more than $30.)

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR SSI

It's easy. Just visit your local Social Security office. Or call us
at 1-800-2345-SSA (1-800-234-5772) for an appointment with a Social
Security representative who will help you sign up.

You should apply for SSI right away. This is because SSI cannot start
before the day you apply.

Parents or guardians can apply for blind or disabled children under
18.

It can help if you have the following things before you apply.
However, even if you don't have all of the things listed, apply
anyway. The people in the Social Security office can help you get
whatever is needed.

* Your Social Security card or a record of your Social Security
  number;

* Your birth certificate or other proof of your age;

* Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage
  or your lease and landlord's name;

* Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, car registration,
  burial fund records, and other information about your income and
  resources;

* The names and addresses of doctors, hospitals, and clinics that
  have seen you and the names and addresses of social workers or
  institution superintendents.

If you want your SSI checks to go directly into your bank account,
you should bring your checkbook or any other papers you have that
show your name and account number. Many people choose to have their
checks sent to the bank. They find it safer and easier than getting
their checks by mail. But the choice is yours. If you want to get
your checks through the mail, that's fine.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

For more information, visit or write any Social Security office. Or
phone our toll-free number, 1-800-2345-SSA (1-800-234-5772). If you
think you might be able to get SSI, don't delay. Call today. SSA's
toll-free telephone service is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
weekdays. The best times to call are early in the morning and early
in the evening. And if you can, it's best to call later in the week
and later in the month.

The Social Security Administration treats each call confidentially.
But we also want to ensure that you receive accurate and courteous
service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative
listen to some telephone calls.



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