SSI

Short for Supplemental Security Income. It is a benefit administered by the Social Security Administration for:

• people with disabilities who qualify under the definitions and determination of the Social Security Administration who have little or no income and resources;
• people age 65 and older who have little or no income and resources;
• or people who are blind who have little or no income and resources.

Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Retirement, which are funded from “trust funds” via payroll taxes, SSI is funded by general tax revenue. SSI is also:

• means-tested, meaning recipients must show need and must continue to show need;
• is affected by any changes in income or assets, meaning recipients are affected if they marry or receive inheritance or receive financial support;
• limits how much recipients can save;
• qualifies recipients for Medicaid;
• qualifies recipients for other means-tested programs;
• and may qualify recipients for additional state supplemental programs, but that may reduce SSI payments.

Although disability is often though of as a program to keep people with disabilities out of poverty, SSI payments for an individual were capped at $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Factors such as family members’ income or living situation can also reduce payments.

Do not confuse SSI with SSDI.

On first reference use Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI. On subsequent references, abbreviate as SSI. The <abbr> tag is: <abbr title="Supplemental Security Income">SSI</abbr>.

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