Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that pays monthly benefits to people who have limited income and resources and who are either aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It is funded from general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes, which is why you can qualify without any work history at all. That distinguishes it from Social Security retirement benefits and from SSDI, both of which depend on your earnings record.
Who can qualify
- Aged 65 or older, or blind, or disabled under the SSA definition — for adults, an impairment that prevents substantial gainful activity and that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Children have a separate definition based on marked and severe functional limitations.
- Limited income, counting earnings, Social Security benefits, pensions and some support received from others. Not all income counts, and certain amounts are excluded before the calculation.
- Limited resources — things you own such as cash, bank accounts and second properties. Your home and generally one vehicle do not count. The resource limits are set in law and are higher for a couple than an individual; check ssa.gov for the current figures.
- US citizen or a non-citizen in one of the qualifying immigration categories, and a resident of one of the 50 states, DC or the Northern Mariana Islands.
How much SSI pays
SSA sets a federal benefit rate each year, adjusted by the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Your actual payment is the federal benefit rate reduced by your countable income, so people with some other income receive less than the maximum. Many states pay an additional state supplement on top of the federal amount, and those vary widely. Because the figures change annually, check the current federal benefit rate on ssa.gov.
What SSI often unlocks
In most states, being approved for SSI automatically qualifies you for Medicaid — in some states enrollment is automatic, in others you apply separately. SSI recipients are also generally eligible for SNAP, though in some states SSI and SNAP applications are combined. Other commonly linked benefits include LIHEAP, Lifeline phone and internet discounts, and reduced-fare transit programs. In many cases the linked benefits are worth more over a year than the SSI payment itself.
SSI and SSDI are not the same thing
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is an insurance program paid for by the Social Security taxes you and your employers have paid. It requires enough work credits and it is not means-tested — savings do not affect it. SSI is needs-based and requires no work history. Some people qualify for both at once, which is known as a concurrent claim. The adult medical definition of disability is the same under both programs.
How to apply
Start at ssa.gov/ssi, call 1-800-772-1213, or make an appointment at your local Social Security office. Applications for adults can often be started online. You will need identity documents, information about income and resources, and medical evidence including the names of treating providers. SSI benefits are generally payable from the month after the application date, so applying promptly matters — unlike SSDI, SSI is not backdated to the onset of disability.
General guidance only — not regulated financial advice.