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Payments under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program began in January 1974, with 3.2 million individuals receiving federally administered payments. As of December 2021, the number of recipients has risen to roughly 7.7 million. |
Every year, millions of elderly, blind and disabled Americans struggle to make ends meet and rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as a vital lifeline.
With ongoing debate and proposed reforms, it’s important to understand the basics of this federal program so you are better equipped to engage in more active, knowledgeable and thoughtful dialogue.
Learn more about Supplemental Security Income, including its eligibility requirements and funding sources, to better understand this federal program.
What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly financial aid to individuals who are elderly, blind or disabled and have limited income and resources. The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which determines eligibility, calculating benefits and making payments to eligible individuals.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for SSI, individuals must meet certain physical, income and resource requirements.
For adults, they must:
- Be disabled, blind or 65+ years old.
- Have limited income and resources.
- Be U.S. citizens, nationals of the U.S. and some noncitizens.
- Live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands, except for a child of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States or certain students temporarily abroad.
Eligibility for children requires that they:
- Are under age 18 and have physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limit their daily activities for a period of 12+ months or could potentially result in death.
- Live in a household with limited income (benefits based on need) or resources.
Once an individual receives approval for SSI, they receive a monthly benefit payment. The total amount of the benefit payment is based on the individual’s income and resources. In addition to the monthly benefit payment, SSI recipients may also be eligible for other forms of assistance, including Medicaid, food stamps and housing assistance.
How Is It Funded?
The SSI is just one of the programs that receives funding through the federal government’s Income Security Budget, which is the part of the federal budget that provides funding for various programs aimed at helping low-income individuals and families.
The funds provided by the Income Security Budget go towards the administration of the SSI program, which involves determining eligibility, calculating benefits and making payments to eligible recipients.
In recent years, there has been some debate over the funding and administration of the SSI program. Specifically, some SSI advocates have called for an increase in the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) as well as changes to the calculation of income and resources, while others have suggested a thorough reform of the program to promote work and self-sufficiency among recipients.
Conclusion
Regardless of the ongoing debate, the SSI program remains an important source of support for millions of aged, blind and disabled Americans who have limited income and resources. By providing financial support to help these individuals meet their basic needs, including food, shelter and medical care, SSI helps to reduce poverty and promote economic security among some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
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