Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Under the SSI program, SSA pays monthly benefits to people that are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older and have limited income and financial resources. Children that are blind or disabled can also get SSI benefits.

Many people that are eligible for SSI benefits may also be eligible to get regular Social Security benefits. Different from Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work history.

SSI is financed by general funds from the U.S. Treasury which includes personal income taxes and corporate taxes. The SSI program is not funded by Social Security taxes that are withheld by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self Employment Contributions Act (SECA).

In many States, people that receive SSI benefits can also get Medicaid assistance to pay for doctor bills, hospital stays and prescription drugs.

States pay the Medicare premiums for people who receive SSI benefits if they are also eligible for Medicaid. For State programs that help with Medicare costs, you may qualify for help if you receive Medicare, your income is limited, and your resources are not more than $4000 for one person or $6000 per couple.

People that receive SSI benefits may also qualify for food stamps in every State except California. In some States, applying for SSI benefits can also serve as an application for food assistance.

To be eligible for SSI benefits, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have limited income and financial resources. You must also be a resident of the United States, not be absent from the U.S. for more than 30 days, and be either a U.S. citizen or national, or in the category of eligible non-citizens.