SSI is the Supplemental Security Income benefit. A Federal program to help Americans with little money with an SSA tool to check eligibility. The Social Security retirement and disability insurance benefits may not be for everyone. For example, if you have never worked and paid taxes to SSA, you can’t be eligible.
Therefore, you may qualify for SSI but not for Social Security benefits. However, some low-income Americans who also have limited resources may qualify for both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security. Keep in mind that to get this Federal payment you must have a disability, be blind, or be at least 65 years old.
Free SSA tool to check SSI eligibility
If you want to use the Social Security tool to check if you qualify or not, all you have to do is visit the official website at: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility. Then, you will need to select whether you are an adult or an adult applying for a child.
Those who are applying for a child must state whether he or she has just 1 parent, 2 or none. After that, to check your eligibility for SSI you will need to provide SSA with information regarding your earnings.
So, enter pre-tax monthly work earnings and enter monthly income from non-work sources like benefits or unemployment. Once you enter the required information, click on “See results”.
Who can generally get SSI payments?
According to the Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income is, in general, for Americans who don’t get more than $2,019 from work each month. Or those citizens who get less than $988 per month from non-work sources like pensions or unemployment.
For your information, SSA adds that the income limit increases for
- couples
- parents who apply for children
Do not forget that Social Security will also check if you receive income from other sources like pensions, unemployment insurance, disability benefits, or jobs. By now you must be wondering if married couples can get SSI. As a matter of fact, married couples can get Supplemental Security Income payments too.