Government assistance programs help millions of people every year. However, people may miss out on benefits because the sheer number of options can be confusing. You may be left wondering how to get the assistance you need from programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Housing Assistance. There’s one more program that can help, but you may be wondering, “What Is Supplemental Security Income, and is it the answer I need?”
Let’s find out.
A Government Benefit Program
The Social Security Administration, a part of the federal government, manages several programs, including:
- Social Security Retirement;
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); and
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If you or a spouse has worked, you may have paid Social Security taxes. The intended use of that money is to pay Social Security retirement and SSDI. However, SSI benefits come from the general funds of the United States Treasury, not from Social Security Taxes.
Another benefit program, Medicaid, is federally funded but state managed. Some states may allow people receiving SSI to receive Medicaid also.
Also, the State of California adds an additional amount to the monthly federal SSI benefit. Recipients receive one check with both the SSI payment and the California supplemental payment.
For People Who Qualify
Not everyone is eligible for SSI. To qualify for SSI, you must be at least age 65, blind or disabled, and:
- Have limited income and resources;
- Be a United States citizen or a certain type of alien;
- Be a resident of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands; and
- Not be confined to an institution paid for by the government.
People who feel they meet these requirements should apply for SSI, usually with the help of an attorney. Also, SSI does not require a recipient to have earned any work credits, unlike SSDI.
Are you still wondering, “What is Supplemental Security Income, and how can it help me?
Ask a Disability Lawyer
Social Security Administration rules and regulations are not easy to understand. 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. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
