Government benefits programs can be confusing. Some of the requirements seem unreal, while the dollar amounts never seem to fall on a ‘normal’ number. You also may find that the monthly benefits provided by federal agencies fall far short of what you actually need. If you live in California, state supplemental payments may provide a little extra to pay your monthly expenses. But what are these payments and how can you get them?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI
The Social Security Administration (“Social Security”) manages several programs, including retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We will focus on SSI in this article.
SSI is federally-funded. Monetary benefits may be provided to people who are:
- Age 65 or older,
- Blind,
- Disabled, or
- Qualified children who are blind or disabled.
- Meet other requirements related to citizenship, living arrangements, and meeting income and resource limits.
Monthly benefits currently range from $783 for an eligible individual to $1,175 for a qualified couple.
However, the benefit amounts are different for people living in California.
California State Supplemental Payments
That’s because the State of California is one of the states that provides extra money over and above the federal SSI payment. For convenience, a recipient’s monthly check includes both federal benefits and state supplemental payments.
Although the state supplemental payments program is administered by Social Security, a federal agency. If a California resident qualifies for SSI benefits, he or she also qualifies for state supplemental payments.
Monthly payments range from around $50 for people living in a Medicaid facility to $2,412.74 for couples who need non-medical out-of-home care.
California residents who qualify for SSI usually receive medical assistance from Med-Cal automatically. Talk to your attorney or a Social Security representative about other programs that may provide the benefits you need.
Ask a Disability Lawyer About SSI State Supplemental Payments
Social Security Administration rules and regulations are not easy to understand. The complexity of the application process can increase stress at an already stressful time. It can help to have someone on your side.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience helping clients like you. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. From our office located in Anaheim, we represent clients throughout Southern California.
