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Publications Home | ![]() Supplemental Security Income (SSI) In CaliforniaSSA Publication No. 05-11125, January 2009 [View .pdf]![]() |
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What is SSI?SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people in need. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as for blind or disabled people of any age, including children. To qualify you also must have little or no income and few resources. This means that the value of the things you own must be less than $2,000 if you are single or less than $3,000 if you are married. The value of your home does not count. Usually, the value of your car does not count. And the value of certain other resources, such as a burial plot, may not count either. To get SSI, you also must apply for any other cash benefits you may be able to get. You must live in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands to get SSI. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but you are a resident, you still may be able to get SSI. For more information, ask for a copy of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051). The state of California adds money to the federal payment. The single payment you get in the beginning of each month includes both the federal SSI payment and your supplement from California. |
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Medical assistanceIf you get SSI, you usually can get medical assistance (Medi-Cal) automatically. A separate Medi-Cal application is not necessary. If you have questions about Medi-Cal, contact your local county welfare office. |
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Food stampsPeople who get SSI in California cannot get food stamps because the state adds money to the federal SSI payment instead. However, you may be able to get food stamps:
For more information, contact your local county welfare office. |
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Other social servicesOther services you may be able to get through your local county welfare office include:
For more information, contact your local county welfare office. |
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Monthly SSI payment amountsThe amounts include both federal and state payments combined. Not all SSI recipients receive the maximum amount. Your payment may be lower if you have other income |
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