A recent story issued by The Hill pointed out that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) awards are down, way down.
The author looked at the number of SSI awards issued in May, June and July of 2020 and discovered an alarming trend. The number of awards issued during these months represent the three lowest totals in the last 20 years.
The SSI program provides modest benefits to the elderly and disabled, so a drop in the number of awards issued is a concern because these are the most vulnerable people who need these benefits to survive. Why would the number of awards issued drop to a 20-year low? Are there just not as many elderly and disabled individuals as there were this time last year?
The author of the story comes to the conclusion that the COVID-19 pandemic is responsible because it has limited the outreach Social Security has to inform people of the SSI program. The pandemic has also forced Social Security to close its doors to the public eliminating a service option for many people trying to acquire SSI benefits. The answer is either people are not aware they may be eligible for the SSI program or they can’t access benefits because SSA offices are closed and they can’t obtain services online or by phone.
Another problem that limits access to SSI is that Social Security does not provide an online application. Even if someone had the means to conduct business online they can’t do that, so the only options are in-person, which not currently available or by phone. Receiving service from Social Security by phone is not an easy task. Social Security offices are flooded with phone calls on a daily basis and the wait times for service have gotten out of control. It appears SSI Awards will continue to drop until offices open again or until SSA provides a way to apply for SSI online.
