Understanding Supplemental Security Income
Documents You May Need When You Apply
2008 Edition

You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for another. The lists are not all–inclusive. We will tell you what you need and what other documents are acceptable. We will help you get them if you are having trouble.

  SOCIAL  SECURITY  CARD  OR  NUMBER  

You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits.

  PROOF  OF  AGE  

	a public birth record recorded before age 5; or
	a religious birth record recorded before age 5; or
	other documents showing your age or date of birth.

If you already proved your age when you applied for Social Security benefits, you do not need to prove it again for SSI.

  CITIZENSHIP  OR  ALIEN  STATUS  RECORD  

If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:

	birth certificate showing you were born in the United States; or
	religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the United States; or
	naturalization certificate; or
	U.S. passport; or
	certificate of citizenship.

If you are an alien, examples of documents you may need are:

	a current immigration document; e.g., an I–551 (Permanent Resident Card); or
	I–94 (Arrival/Departure Record).

If you are an alien who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may need to show us your military discharge paper (form DD–214).

  PROOF  OF  INCOME  

If you have income, you may need to provide the following:

	Earned Income – payroll stubs, or if self–employed, a tax return for the last tax year;
	Unearned Income – any records you have (for example––award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment; and
	Work Expenses – see information under SSI WORK INCENTIVES.

  PROOF  OF  RESOURCES  

	bank statement(s) for all checking and savings accounts
	deed or tax appraisal statement for all property you own besides the house you live in
	life or disability insurance policies
	burial contracts, plots, etc.
	certificates of deposit, stocks, or bonds
	titles or registrations for vehicles like cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, campers, etc.

  PROOF  OF  LIVING  ARRANGEMENTS  

	lease or rent receipt
	names, dates of births, medical assistance cards or Social Security numbers for all household members
	deed or property tax bill
	information about household costs, food, utilities, etc.

  MEDICAL  SOURCES  

If you are applying as a blind or disabled person, you need to give us:

	your medical reports, if you have them; and
	names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and other providers of medical services to you and the approximate dates you were treated.

  WORK  HISTORY  

	job titles
	type of business
	names of employers
	dates worked
	hours worked per day
	hours worked per week
	days worked per week, and rates of pay for work you did in the 15 years before you became unable to work because of your illnesses, injuries, or conditions
	description of job duties for the type of work you performed

  OTHER  SOURCES  

If you are applying as a disabled child (or on behalf of a disabled child), we need the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (teachers, caregivers) who can provide information about how your (the disabled child's) medical condition affects his or her day–to–day activities.

  THINGS  TO  REMEMBER  

	Do not wait to apply. If you think you may be eligible for SSI benefits, you should contact us right away. The earliest we will pay benefits is the month after the filing date of your application, or the month after you first meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later. We may use the date you contact us as the filing date. If you do not have all of the things we need, you can get them later.
	We need to see the original documents. We do not accept photocopies. We will return the original documents to you.
	Try to keep a copy of things you send us. Keep track of the dates you send information to us, or talk to us, as well as the name of the Social Security employee with whom you spoke.