The Social Security Administration (SSA) has set strict conditions for getting money from SSI (Supplemental Security Income). This Federal program is aimed at helping Americans with a low income and who meet one of the three following conditions. Therefore, it is not a payment for most Americans since it is restricted to needy citizens.
For your information, to get SSI benefits from the Federal Government, you must be blind, have a disability, or be at least 65 years old. Therefore, being in one of these 3 situations will allow you to continue checking your eligibility. Again, there are more restrictions to get this Federal benefit.
Income and resources to get SSI payments
Bear in mind that the Supplemental Security Income program is just for those citizens who have both limited income and limited resources. Here’s a checklist for you to see if you meet all the requirements mentioned so far:
- limited income
- limited resources
- be in 1 of these 3 situations
- be blind
- or be at least 65 years old
- have a qualifying medical condition (disability)
- be a United States citizen or national or
- a noncitizen with an alien classification granted by DHS
- be resident of the Northern Mariana Islands, D.C., or one of the 50 States
- not be absent for over 30 days in a row
- not in jail (or government insitution)
If you are not sure if you can qualify for Supplemental Security, you can check your eligibility online. By doing so, you will see clearly if you meet the income and resources limit or not.
Still, if you cannot afford to buy or pay for the essential things, you can apply if you meet the other conditions. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website for more details: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility
Is it necessary to apply for SSI?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that it is essential to file in order to receive SSI payments in May or in any other month. So, do not forget to file your online application as soon as possible.
Taking a decision can take SSA much longer than expected unless you qualify for expedited SSI benefits due to the severity of your medical condition. Do not forget that giving SSA permission to check your finances is mandatory.
In this way, the Social Security Administration will be able to see if you have limited income or resources. In case you did not know, SSI can pay up to $967 to an individual and up to $1,450 for an eligible married couple (both qualify).
On average, Supplemental Security payments are about $715. Recipients aged 65 years old or older get about $591 on average. Many of them may be on retirement benefits, so that is why their monthly payment may be reduced. The under-18s get about $836 on average. Beneficiaries aged 18-64 get about $762 on average.
