Supplemental Security Income benefits are a source of additional income for lower-income people. It provides monthly benefits to adults, children and people with disabilities who have resources and income below a certain level. These payments are also made to people over the age of 65 if they meet the right qualifications.
To know if you qualify for SSI benefits, you have to make sure you fit into one of the following groups.
Qualify for SSI benefits
SSI benefits can be sought by several groups of people, including:
- People who are 65 or older.
- People who are blind or disabled (according to the definitions set by the Social Security Administration).
- Married people who are blind or disabled with $3,000 or less in assets.
- Single people who are blind or disabled with $2,000 or less in assets.
- S. citizens or qualified aliens.
- People who are blind or disabled with a limited income that qualifies for other benefits such as free food or shelter.
- People who are blind or disabled living within the 50 states, Northern Mariana Islands or the District of Columbia. Certain children with military parents on duty outside the U.S. and students attending school internationally can also receive these benefits.
If you currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you may also be able to seek SSI at the same time. Doing this can help you boost your income, so you can support yourself more easily as you focus on taking care of your health.
How much can you get in SSI benefits?
As of January 2022, if you live alone or pay for a share of housing or food costs, you can get up to $841 for an individual and $1,261 for a couple. If you live with another person, then your maximum benefit is set at $560.67 per individual and up to $840.67 for a couple.
Getting SSI benefits could help you boost your income and support yourself as you learn to live with or continue living with a long-term disability or illness. If you already qualify for SSDI, it may be an option for you as well.