Understanding Supplemental Security Income
Introduction2008 Edition

The purpose of Understanding SSI is to inform beneficiaries, potential beneficiaries, advocates and others in interested agencies and organizations about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility requirements and processes.

We hope this knowledge will assist you in helping people:

	apply for;
	establish eligibility for; and
	continue to receive SSI benefits for as long as they remain eligible.

The degree to which you help is up to you.

Understanding SSI is useful as a training manual and reference tool. It is not necessary for you to know everything in Understanding SSI. You may simply use and refer to those sections that are most useful to you.

If you have any questions while using Understanding SSI, please contact your local Social Security office or call our toll–free number 1–800–772–1213. We can answer your questions.

You should refer any potentially eligible individuals to us to apply for SSI benefits or to get an answer to any question about which you are unsure. If you have any doubts about a person's eligibility, always refer him or her to us.

Understanding SSI is not a complete review of all SSI related rules and policies. It provides general information and does not replace the experts at Social Security. You must contact us for individual case information.

The Understanding Supplemental Security Income publication is available online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm.

You may also access this information in Spanish, "Comprendiendo Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario," at: www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/USSI_SPANISH.pdf
(524 KB pdf).