Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Homelessness
2008 Edition

If you are homeless, you have the same rights and privileges in applying for SSI benefits as someone who is not homeless.

If you are homeless, some of the ways you can receive your SSI benefits. You may:

	pick up your check at your local Social Security office;
	have your benefits deposited directly into your personal bank account;
	have your benefits mailed to a third party; or
	have a relative or other third party be assigned as your representative payeerepresentative payee.

Yes. Living in a shelter, medical treatment facility, or a correctional facility may affect your SSI benefits.

In addition, each year the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides grants to institutions, known as safe havens, that provide very low–cost supportive housing to homeless persons who are unwilling or unable to participate in mental health treatment programs or to receive other supportive services. A person living in a safe haven will not have his or her SSI benefits reduced for the support and maintenance provided by the safe haven.

For further information about Institutionalization, please refer to the Spotlights on Living ArrangementsLiving Arrangements, Continued SSI Benefits for Persons who are Temporarily InstitutionalizedContinued SSI Benefits for Persons who are Temporarily Institutionalized, and Prerelease ProcedurePrerelease Procedure. Also, see information on the Representative Payee ProgramRepresentative Payee Program.

For more information, please visit Social Security's Homelessness web site, Service to the HomelessService to the Homeless at: www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness.