Originally signed into law in1972 by President Richard M. Nixon, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a cash assistance program providing monthly benefits to low-income aged, blind, or disabled persons in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. People with low income and few resources might be eligible for SSI if they are at least age 65, blind or disabled adults and blind or disabled children. Living arrangements are also a factor.
Local information showing the number of people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as of December 2011 was published this week. Go to SSI Recipients by State and County, 2011, for state data complete to the individual county level.
National as of 12/2011
Number of people receiving SSI: 8,112,773 (all benefit types)
Number of people age 65 or older: 2,058,641
Number of people receiving both SSI and Social Security: 2,716,259
Approximate total monthly amount of SSI benefits: $4,389,872,000
North Dakota as of 12/2011
Number of people receiving SSI: 8,349 (all benefit types)
Number of people age 65 or older: 1,570
Number of people receiving both SSI and Social Security: 3,381
Approximate total monthly amount of SSI benefits: $3,874,000
Minnesota as of 12/2011
Number of people receiving SSI: 88,768 (all benefit types)
Number of people age 65 or older: 18,894
Number of people receiving both SSI and Social Security: 27,139
Approximate total monthly amount of SSI benefits: $47,835,000
While the Social Security Administration administers SSI, it is very different from Social Security retirement, survivors and disability. Although both benefit the aged and disabled, a major difference is that Supplemental Security Income is based on financial need while Social Security is based on individual work records. SSI costs are paid from Treasury general revenue funds, not by SSA payroll taxes.
Since they are separate programs, a person could be eligible for both if separate requirements for each are met. With a few exceptions, other income reduces the amount of SSI potentially payable.
The basic SSI amount is the same nationwide. Individual states can add money to the basic benefit. In 2012, the maximum SSI amount payable to an individual adult or child is $698 per month. The maximum payable to a couple if both people are eligible is $1,048 per month. Other income, including Social Security benefits, reduces these amounts. Resources of over $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple can make people ineligible even if their income is low. Many resources including the home you live in, a car and some burial funds do not count towards resource totals.
General SSI information is in the SSA publication, Supplemental Security Income at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html. Much more detail is in “Understanding Supplemental Security Income” at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm.
Contact Social Security to ask about or apply for Supplemental Security Income.