SSI is one of two Social Security programs that provide an income for people who have limited income and assets who are "disabled" as defined in the law. (SSI is also for people who are aged or blind.) The idea behind Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is to provide an income to people who are "disabled", blind, over age 65 or who live in a public institution who are supposed to be broke. As you will see, people don't have to actually be broke.

SSI is a federal welfare program that pays a cash benefit to covered people who have limited income and assets. "Welfare" should not prevent you from applying for this program. You've been paying for this program with your taxes for situations precisely like this.

You may qualify for SSI even if you have a home and a car because these assets and others are not considered when determining whether you are eligible for SSI. However, you will not qualify if you live with a spouse who makes a substantial income or has substantial assets. Your work history is not considered for this program.

The purpose of SSI is to pay for three basic items: food, clothing and shelter. SSI pays a cash benefit from federal revenues. In many states, the states pay a supplement from state revenues.

SSI benefits are not subject to income tax.

Applying for SSI benefits involves a lot of paperwork but it is not an impossible task. Contrary to prevailing gossip on the street, not everyone is turned down for SSI during their first application. If the initial denial rate is high, it is because people haven't planned ahead and don't carefully complete the paperwork or they aren't disabled according to Social Security's definition of the term. If you are sufficiently disabled and spend some time carefully completing the forms, you should have no trouble being approved for benefits.

People who receive SSI usually also receive Medicaid. There may be other benefits as well.

You can receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits as well as SSI. When a person applies for SSDI, Social Security is supposed to check to see if the person also qualifies for SSI. (To learn more, see: SSDI and SSDI Compared To SSI.)

Please share your experiences with respect to SSI on our message board: Government Benefits.

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