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