Supplemental Security Income (SSI) « Benefits – Public

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes).  SSI pays benefits based on financial need.
• It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
• For more detailed information, see Who Is Eligible for SSI?
• SSI Resources (Social Security Oncome) 
  Links that are helpful, either as a member of the general public or as an advocate for SSI claimants and beneficiaries.

Electronic Booklets About SSI:

• The following pages from Social Security provide links to more information on SSI  that can be downloaded in pdf format (booklets) or mp3 audio:
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  Explains what SSI is, who can get it and how to apply. (June 2007)
• Understanding Supplemental Security Income (2010 Edition) (html page only)
• What You Need to Know when You Get Supplemental Security Income
  Explains some of your rights and responsibilities when you receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Articles and Publications About SSI:

• Documents Required When Filing for SSI and/or SSDI
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
  PASS is an SSI provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work.
  Also see Disaboom page regarding PASS.
  And more info from Work World.
  From Cornell University: Online Resource for PASS Application
• SSI Basics (Special Needs Answers – 12/3/09)
  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that helps people with disabilities and very low incomes pay for food, clothing and shelter. SSI is often confused with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). One of the main differences between the two programs is that SSDI is available to people with disabilities no matter how much money they earn or have, while SSI places very strict limits on a recipient's income and assets.
• Supplemental Security Income (Law Change Regarding Michigan Trusts) 11/8/01
  Definitions and rules regarding evaluating trusts for SSI resource purposes.
• 2010 Changes In Public Benefits (Aging Alert) (posted with permission)
  Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment – Beneficiaries will get no cost-of-living increase in their monthly checks in 2010. This includes pensioners of the federal government, military, diabled veterans and recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security Earnings Test – In the years prior to reaching full retirement age, $1 in benefits is lost for every $2 in earnings above the limit. A different rule applies in the year an individual reaches full retirement age. For the months prior to full retirement age, $1 in benefits is lost for every $3 in earnings above the limit.

Resources: Websites and Blogs About SSI

• Social Security Disability SSI Benefits (Disability Secrets.com)
  This site was put together by Tim Moore, a former disability-medicaid caseworker and former disability examiner for the Social Security Administration. It provides a detailed overview of how the federal disability system works (social security disability and SSI) and also provides answers to many questions that applicants typically have, but often have trouble finding answers to.