what is SSI and how todo you qualify for it?

Answer 1

SSI is Supplemental Security Income, a program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and it will connect you to Medicaid either directly or through a state agency. SSI requires that you meet both financial and medical eligibility criteria. If you have a work history in which you paid into Social Security fund you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and it provides Medicare 30 months after the onset of your disability.

To be eligible for either SSI or SSDI you must prove that you are unable to earn $900/mo. or more for at least 12 months due to a physical and/or mental condition. Many things are taken into consideration including medical records, skills you already have, your education, your age, and the job market in your area. When you apply for benefits with SSA, they check your eligibility for both SSI and SSDI automatically.

To be eligible for SSI you must also have limited resources or liquid assets. Resources includes cash on hand, money in the bank, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, and goods that can be turned into cash. An individual cannot have more than $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for a couple). There are some acceptions to the resource limit. It's okay to own a home if you live in it, one vehicle, a wedding ring, tools for a trade, medical equipment, household furnishings, a burial fund worth no more than $1,500, and a few other things.

SSDI does not have a restriction on one's resources, but to be eligible you must have paid Social Security taxes for enough quarters and some of those quarters must be recent. If you have been disabled since before the age of 23, you may be eligible for SSDI under a parent or grandparent's work history if they are now receiving disability or retirement benefits or if they are deceased.

In some situations you may be eligible for both SSI & SSDI. This happens when one's SSDI amount is lower than what SSI would be. For example, full federal SSI is $623/mo. (most states add an additional payment called a supplement). If your SSDI is only $323, SSI will add a payment of $320, totaling $643/mo. (Yes, this is $20 more than SSI - I won't explain here.)

If you want to apply, call 800-772-1213. The date you call establishes your "secured filing date" and if you are awarded benefits they will usually be paid retroactive to that date. For information on what to expect when you apply and how to prepare your application go to:

http://www.ssa.gov/d&s1.htm

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

Alana
Benefits Advocate

Answer 2

The application process may take a few months. Be patient. You may be interviewed to prevent fraud. If you are denied, you can always "reapply". Many people are denied and approved the second go around. I happened to have a seizure during my interview while the interviewer was asking me a question. I (a full grown man) started crying afterwards because of all the annoying stress. My parents said, "cheer up, they know you couldn't have faked that." I got approved. You will get reevaluated every couple of years with the same archaic IQ tests if you are on disability (put the numbers in the correct sequence: 5 2 8.... 2 5 8. What day is today? Tell me of a recent current event...)

Answer 3

SSI is Social Security, and you apply for it by going to your local Social Security office or calling the 1800 number in your local phone book and asking for an application! You have to have atleast a disabitlity in order to qualify for it!

Answer 4

it is Supplemental Security Income you only if you have a condition that hinders your owrk.. such as being blind or disabled

Answer 5

This website will help, it really helped me.