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