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SSI is a US federal program that provides financial aid to people with disabilities, including children with significant disabilities and adults with permanent disabilities. It also makes a person eligible for state health insurance. To apply, fill out an application at the Social Security Administration office.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a US federal program that can help provide financial aid to people with disabilities. It is not the same as receiving disability benefits. Normally, you may be eligible for disability benefits if you worked for 12 months before the disability occurred and the disability is expected to last for a year or result in death. SSI, on the other hand, does not require a person to work before receiving it.
A portion of SSI funds is distributed to children with significant disabilities, such as severe mental retardation, blindness, cancer or heart defects. Children who receive payments do so based on their parents’ income level. The child or adult receiving the money must also be a US citizen and have a Social Security number.
Adults with permanent disabilities can also receive this income without needing to work before qualifying. The amounts tend to be limited to a relatively small amount each month, but this can vary and payments are also increased slightly on an annual basis. The income requirements for eligibility also tend to go up. Disabled adults may also be able to work a few hours a week and still qualify for some cash, but the amount one can earn if considered disabled varies and should be checked with the Social Security Administration.
One of the useful aspects of qualifying for SSI is that it also makes a person eligible for state health insurance, which is generically referred to as Medicaid. In California, state aid is called Medi-Cal. The person may also have private medical insurance and this does not affect their Medicaid eligibility. Even if receiving only a few dollars a month, the individual is usually fully eligible for state aid. This can cover things like co-pays or provide comprehensive insurance if one is uninsured, but finding professionals who get state-funded medical benefits can be difficult. Those who live near state teaching hospitals often find that this is the best place to go for medical care, as they are required to take Medicaid.
While some medical conditions may automatically prove a medical condition serious enough to receive SSI, other times, the condition must be proven to be truly disabling. Those with mental illness severe enough to warrant not working may need to undergo a state psychiatric exam to qualify. Also, conditions that are expected to improve may require an annual review.
If one spouse works and the other receives SSI, or a child receives payments, the family is usually required to file income tax returns each month. This usually simply involves sending pay stubs to prove income. Payout amounts can change if the amount a person earns changes. Even if a person does have to work a few hours of overtime, a monthly amount could vary, either slightly or significantly.
To apply for SSI, a person must fill out the applications available at the Social Security Administration office in his or her city. If a child is suddenly disabled, or born with a disability, hospital social workers may also have questions on hand and can help with introductions. An approved application allows the person to receive funds from the application filing date, so filling out and submitting the application promptly can help you receive benefits back which can be of tremendous help.
