| Another program being administered by | | | | not from the Trust Fund of the Social |
| the Social Security Administration (SSA) | | | | Security. |
| in ensuring social protection for the | | | | Provisions of SSI benefits do not base |
| citizens of the United States is the | | | | eligibility on the individual's |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI). | | | | employment or job history; it is based |
| The SSI program's main targets are the | | | | more on the needs of the individual. |
| poverty-stricken individuals who have a | | | | How to qualify for SSI benefits |
| lack of resources to pay for basic needs | | | | SSI Program requirements: |
| like food, shelter and clothing. The | | | | 1. United States legal resident and |
| program intends to give income to needy | | | | have not left the country "for more than |
| individuals who were disabled and/or | | | | 30 days" |
| have reached the elderly age of 65 and | | | | 2. Citizens of the United States and |
| above, for as long as they have | | | | eligible for benefits (Some resident |
| adequately met the program's income | | | | aliens are also given opportunity to |
| requirements. | | | | avail of SSI benefits, given several |
| The SSA carefully administers and | | | | conditions) |
| enforces the SSI program's income | | | | 3. Meet the requirements, both |
| requirements. By doing these, the | | | | Medical and non-medical |
| government is assured of providing | | | | 4. For those under 65 years old, they |
| benefit only to people who have limited | | | | must meet the requirements of being |
| resources and inadequate income. The SSA | | | | disabled through evaluation of the state |
| carefully evaluates those who are | | | | Disability Determination Service (DDS) |
| elderly, disabled and has impairments | | | | 5. For children under 18 years of |
| that are qualified to receive | | | | age, similar disability requirements are |
| Supplemental Security Income benefits | | | | also needed. |
| (SSI benefits). | | | | 6. For those who are 65 years old and |
| What is Income and Resources? | | | | above, they need not meet the |
| Income is the money an individual earns | | | | requirements for disability and need |
| or receives every week or month through | | | | only to meet the non-medical |
| a job, unemployment benefits, VA | | | | requirements by the SSI program. |
| benefits, pension, family members and | | | | What are the SSI benefits? |
| other relatives, and friends. | | | | - Individuals who qualify for |
| Resources, meanwhile, pertain to the | | | | benefits under the SSI program receive |
| money an individuals is safekeeping in a | | | | Medicaid. This is a "health insurance |
| bank or accounts for investment like | | | | plan" intended for needy citizens. |
| 401k/IRA, savings bonds, mutual funds, | | | | Many States base eligibility for |
| stocks, and CDs, as well as properties | | | | Medicaid program according to an |
| an individual may have, aside from the | | | | individual's SSI eligibility. |
| primary residence, trust funds, vehicles | | | | Meanwhile, some States use other terms |
| excluding one, life insurance policies. | | | | for programs that are equivalent to the |
| These are considered limited when the | | | | Medicaid. For example, in the state of |
| sum value equals to $2,000 for | | | | California the program, which |
| individuals and $3,000 for married | | | | essentially is Medicaid, is called |
| couples. | | | | MediCal. |
| Those applying for SSI benefits whose | | | | - In several States, SSI eligibility |
| assets have surpassed these sum value | | | | also qualifies the individuals and their |
| will not be considered eligible. | | | | family to avail of food stamps. Local |
| Where do the SSI benefits come from? | | | | Social Services in each area can be |
| The money being used for the SSI comes | | | | consulted for qualifications to receive |
| from the Federal income tax revenues and | | | | food stamps. |