Understanding Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) Overview2012 Edition

  WHAT  IS  SSI?  

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers this program. SSA pays monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. 

  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. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways.

	Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work. Social Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
	SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate and other taxes. Social Security taxes withheld under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do not fund the SSI program.
	In most States, SSI beneficiaries also can get medical assistance (Medicaid)  to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs.
	Most States also provide a supplemental payment to certain SSI beneficiaries.
	SSI beneficiaries may also be eligible for food assistance in every State except California. In some States, an application for SSI benefits also serves as an application for food assistance.
	SSI benefits are paid on the first of the month.
	To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have "limited" income and resources.
	In addition, to get SSI, you must: ––be a resident of the United States, and ––not be absent from the country for a full calendar month or more or for 30 consecutive days or more; 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 BENEFITS?  

	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.
	SSA administers both programs.

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