Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Overview2008 Edition

  WHAT  IS  SSI?  

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program.

We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children, as well as adults, can get SSI benefits.

  HOW  IS  SSI  DIFFERENT  FROM  SOCIAL  SECURITY  
  BENEFITS?  

Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits.

	Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.
	SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporation taxes and other taxes. Social Security taxes withheld under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) do not fund the SSI program.
	In most States, SSI beneficiaries also can get Medicaid (medical assistance) to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs.
	SSI beneficiaries may also be eligible for food stamps in every State except California. In some States, an application for SSI benefits also serves as an application for food assistance.
	We pay SSI benefits on the first of the month for the entire month.
	To get SSI benefits, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have "limited" income and resources.
	In addition, to get SSI benefits, you must: ––be a resident of the United States, and ––not be absent from the country for more than 30 days;     and ––be either a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain     categories of eligible non–citizens.

  HOW  IS  SSI  LIKE  SOCIAL  SECURITY?  

	Both programs pay monthly benefits.
	The medical standards for disability are the same in both programs for individuals age 18 or older. There is a separate definition of disability under SSI for children from birth to age 18.
	We administer both programs.

For more information on Social Security benefits, see our chapter, SOCIAL SECURITY ENTITLEMENT.