Sometimes people just need a little extra help. For example, Max is 68 years old. His income is very low and he has trouble paying his bills and buying groceries. Julia received her cancer diagnosis last year. She cannot work due to her treatments but cannot qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. And, finally, Alex has been blind from birth. Since he is only six years old, he does not understand government benefits, but his parents do. All these people need help with their ordinary costs of being alive. “What Is SSI” is a common question people in need might ask.
The Basic Details
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”), a department within the United States government, administers the SSI program. Other facts about SSI include:
- The money that finances SSI benefits come from the general funds of the United States Treasury. Social Security taxes are not used to pay for Supplemental Security Income.
- The applicant’s work history, or a family member’s, is used to determine eligibility for Social Security retirement payments and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. However, SSI benefits are not based on work history.
- Most states allow SSI recipients to also receive Medicaid.
- California is one of the states that does not allow applicants to get food assistance in addition to SSI payments.
- You must live in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands, not leave the country for 30 consecutive days or more, and be a U.S. citizen, a national, or a qualified non-citizen.
We’ve answered the question, “What is SSI?”, but now we can look at SSI in action.
How It Is Used
SSI benefits are paid to adults who meet the following requirements:
- Limited income,
- Limited resources,
- Blind, disabled, or age 65 or older.
Children may receive SSI if they are blind or disabled.
In our opening paragraph, we mentioned three people: Max, Julia, and Alex. Each of these people may benefit from SSI payments. First, they have to apply for those benefits.
Need Help Applying for SSI Benefits?
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ legal experience, much of it involving Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income claims. They can help you with your application and any appeals that might be needed.
Call us at 714-385-8100 for a free consultation. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
