| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal | | | | Social Security taxes, but instead by the U.S. |
| program, designed to give financial assistance to | | | | Treasury general fund. |
| those suffering from disabilities. However, SSI is | | | | The basic SSI amount is a standard amount |
| not the same as Social Security Disability | | | | across the nation. Some states, however, may |
| Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which provides disability | | | | add money to the basic benefit. Whether or not |
| pay. | | | | you can collect SSI benefits depends on your |
| SSI vs. SSDI | | | | income and your assets. |
| To collect SSDI benefits, you are generally | | | | - Income: this includes your wages, pensions and |
| required to have worked for a year prior to | | | | Social Security benefits. This figure also takes into |
| acquiring your disability, and you expect to suffer | | | | account food, shelter and where you reside. If |
| from that disability for at least a year. | | | | you are married, your spouse’s earnings and |
| With SSI, you are not required to ever have | | | | assets are also taken into consideration. Anyone |
| worked in order to receive money. SSI funds are | | | | under the age of 18 will be considered on the |
| distributed to those with low income, who are | | | | basis of part or all of their parents’ income |
| either children or over the age of 65, and are blind | | | | and resources. |
| or have a disability. Some examples of disabilities | | | | - Assets: Your assets or resources that are |
| where these particular groups of people can | | | | measured in determining your eligibility for SSI |
| collect include: | | | | benefits include things like: |
| - Mental retardation | | | | - Bank accounts |
| - Heart defects | | | | - Real estate |
| - Cancer or other serious or terminal illness | | | | - Stocks, bonds and other cash |
| To qualify for SSI funds, you must be a citizen of | | | | If you are single and your resources are worth |
| the United States. Children who receive SSI do so | | | | less than $2,000, or if you and your spouse’s |
| based on the income of their parents or | | | | assets are worth less than $3,000, you may |
| guardians, who must also be citizens of the United | | | | quality for SSI. If you own property that you are |
| States with valid Social Security numbers. | | | | attempting to sell, you may be able to collect SSI |
| U.S. Treasury funds | | | | while trying to sell it. |
| The SSI program is managed by the Social | | | | Social Security does not count everything you |
| Security Administration, who also manages SSDI | | | | own in determining whether your assets are too |
| benefits. However, SSI funds are not paid for by | | | | high to qualify for assistance. |