Many times we have indicated that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that provides monthly payments to people who are found disabled by Social Security, as well as retirees who can show there is a financial need for SSI, but what exactly does Social Security look at when determining eligibility?
Aged, Blind And Disabled
In order to be eligible for SSI benefits, you must fit one of the following three categories:
- Aged – An “aged” person is someone who is age 65 or older;
- Blind – A “blind” person is someone whose vision, with use of a correcting lens, is 20/200 or less in the better eye or who has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less. There is no minimum age limit (for converted blind recipients, see §2172); OR
- Disabled
- A “disabled” person age 18 or older is someone who meets the definition of disability for adults under Social Security law. He or she must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
- A “disabled” person under the age of 18 is someone who meets the definition of disability for children under Social Security law. He or she must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked and severe functional limitation(s), and which can be expected to result in death, or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Eligibility Based On Financial Need
In order to receive SSI benefits, you cannot have monthly countable income more than the current Federal benefit rate (FBR). The FBR for an eligible couple is approximately one and one half as much as that for an individual. These amounts are set by law and are subject to annual increases based on cost-of-living adjustments. As of January 2009, the FBR for an individual is $674 and that for an eligible couple is $1,011. (The FBR for 2011 did not change because the cost of living did not increase.) However, individual States may supplement these amounts.
Property
In order to receive SSI benefits, you cannot own countable real or personal property (including cash) in excess of a specified amount at the beginning of each month. For an individual with an eligible or ineligible spouse, the applicable limit is one and one-half times as much as that for an individual without a spouse. These limits are set by law, and they are not subject to regular cost-of-living adjustments. But they are subject to change. The limits for January 2009 are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
Other Requirements
In addition to the categorical and need criteria described above, you must file an application and meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, or be a child who is a U.S. citizen and lives outside the U.S. with a parent in the U.S. armed forces;
- Be a citizen of the United States, or an alien in an immigration category qualified to receive Federal benefits and meet certain additional requirements;
- Not be a resident of a public institution throughout a month;
- Not be absent from the U.S. for a calendar month unless:
- You are a child who is a U.S. citizen and lives outside the U.S. with a parent in the U.S. armed forces; or
- You are a student who is temporarily abroad for the purpose of conducting studies;
File for any other benefits for which you are potentially eligible;
Not be a fugitive felon;
Not be violating a condition of parole or probation; and
Give SSA permission to contact any financial institution at any time and request any financial records that financial institution may have about you. Other people who are responsible for your support must also give SSA their permission to contact any financial institution at any time and request any financial records that financial institution may have about them.
