Supplemental Security Income

SSI Benefits

Supplemental security income (SSI) is a program that pays benefits to disabled individuals who have limited income and resources. Although the SSI program is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), SSI is paid for the U.S. Treasury general funds, not Social Security Taxes.

Unlike Social Security disability, SSI does not require applicants to meet work requirements. Generally, SSI is available to blind or disabled children, as well as to people who have low income and few resources and are:

• Age 65 or older;
• Blind; or
• Disabled

SSI is often available to low-income, disabled individuals who did not work long enough or recently enough to receive SSD benefits. In some cases, individuals receiving SSD benefits will also be eligible to receive SSI.

Qualifying for SSI

The requirements for SSI are not as strict as for Social Security disability, but there are still requirements you must meet. Aside from being 65 or older, blind, or disabled, your ability to get SSI will depend on your income and resources, or the things you own.

Income includes any money you receive, including wages, Social Security benefits and pensions. Social Security will include part of your spouse's income and resources if you are married and part of your parents' income and resources if an applicant is younger than 18. The amount of income you can receive on a monthly basis and still qualify for SSI will also depend on the state in which you live. When using your income to determine if you qualify for SSI, Social Security will not count all of your income. Examples of what Social Security does not count include:

• The first $20 of most income you receive each month
• The first $65 you earn from working each month and half the amount over $65
• SNAP benefits
• Shelter provided by private not-for-profit organizations
• Most home energy assistance
• Wages used by disabled individuals to pay for items or services that help them work

Resources considered by Social Security when determining if you qualify for SSI include real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. Individuals may be able to qualify if their resources are worth less than $2,000 and couples may be able to qualify if their resources are worth no more than $3,000. Social Security will not count all resources, including the home and land on which you live, life insurance policies valued at $1,500 or less, and your car.

Learn More About Supplemental Security Income in Nevada

Understanding if you qualify for SSD or SSI and navigating the application process for each can be difficult. This is why Shook & Stone is available to help individuals and families throughout Las Vegas and the state of Nevada learn more about these programs.

To discuss your needs and how our firm can help, call 888-662-2013 for a free consultation.