Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Social Security Administration (SSA) benefit program that provides monthly income for low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or over 65 years old. SSI benefits are electronically paid each month through bank account direct deposit or through a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® account. The Direct Express® card is a green debit card that you receive when you start receiving benefits.
Program Description
The Social Security Administration runs a program that provides a direct cash payment to individuals with disabilities (and others). These payments are provided through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program which started in January 1974.
The program is funded through general taxes (not employment taxes or Social Security or Medicare Trust Funds) and provides benefits for individuals with low income and resources who meet eligibility rules established by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
As of December 2019 (according to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Congressional Statistics Fact Sheets), there were 127,800 Hoosiers receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Over 120,000 of these individuals received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to disability (as opposed to age, being 65 years old or older, or blindness).
Some states pay an additional benefit on top of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount. Indiana currently pays an additional amount to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who live in a residential care facility or a Medicaid facility. The details about the additional Indiana benefit (note: the numbers here are from 2011 and may have changed) can be found on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website: State Assistance Program for SSI Recipients, January 2011 - Indiana.
Additional details about the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program can be found in Chapter 21 of the Social Security Handbook.
Categories of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Eligibility
Just like categories of eligibility for Medicaid, there are categories of eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In fact, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) categories have rules that are similar to categories of the same name found in Medicaid (in Indiana).
The Aged category covers people who are 65 years old or older. The Blind category is for individuals (as found in Section 2112 of the Social Security Handbook) “whose vision, with the use of a correcting lens, is 20/200 or less in the better eye or who has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less.” The final category is for Individuals who have a disability. The Disabled category has different definitions of disability depending on whether the person is an adult (age 18 or older) or a child (under the age of 18).
Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applications
Section 1634 of the Social Security Act allows states to have the Social Security Administration (SSA) make eligibility determinations for Medicaid when a person has applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Indiana is one of those states that made this agreement. This means that if you’re found eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then you’ll be eligible to receive Medicaid as well.
The rules for Medicaid eligibility for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are simpler than rules for other Medicaid categories. Since the eligibility determination and the verification of information (like income and resources) are handled by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you won’t need to go through the same sort of verification process twice.
Definition of Disability for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Different programs have slightly different definitions of disability. As it relates to the eligibility determination for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the definition changes when a child turns 18 and is considered an adult. The sections below (Children (under the age of 18) and Adults (age 18 or older)) describe who is considered disabled for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Children (under the age of 18)
The definition of disability for children used for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be found in Section 517 of the Social Security Handbook:
517. What is the definition of disability for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) children's disability benefits?
A child under age 18 is eligible to receive SSI based on disability if he or she:
A. Has very little income and resources (including the income and resources of family members in the same household) (see Chapter 21);
B. Is not engaging in substantial gainful work activity (see [section] 603);
C. Has a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities (see [section] 601): and
D. The condition(s) has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 1 year, or is expected to result in death.
Note: The SSI definition of disability for children is different from the definition of disability for adults under SSI and Social Security disability (see [section] 507). A child's condition(s) must result in “marked and severe functional limitations,” which is a level of severity that meets, medically equals, or functionally equals the listings. See Social Security regulations sections 416.924 through 416.926a for the rules about children's disability in the SSI program.
Adults (age 18 or older)
Section 507 of the Social Security Handbook includes a definition of disability for adults:
507. Definition of Disability for Disabled Worker's Benefits
507.1 When are you considered disabled?
You are considered “disabled” and entitled to disabled worker's benefits if you meet the following conditions:
A. You are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity (see [section] 603) because of a physical or mental impairment (see [section] 601). You must not only be unable to do your previous work, but also any other type of work considering your age, education, and work experience (see [section] 609);
NOTE: It does not matter whether such work exists in your immediate area, whether a specific job vacancy exists, or whether you would be hired if you applied for work.
B. Your impairment(s) must be established by objective medical evidence (see [sections] 614-616);
C. It is expected that your impairment(s) will either result in death or last for at least 12 months in a row (see [sections] 602.1); and
D. You must meet the non-medical criteria needed to be insured by the program.
NOTE: The definition of disability also applies to persons applying for child's insurance benefits based on disability before age 22, for disability benefits payable after December 1990 as a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse and for adults (persons age 18 or over) for determining eligibility on the basis of disability under the SSI program.
Financial Eligibility Determination for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
There are two main rules related to financial eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The first is about income, how much money you and your family earn. The second is about resources or the amount of assets (like real property and personal property) you own which aren’t exempt or ignored according to the rules of the program.
Income Rules
Unlike other assistance programs, income isn’t compared to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to determine if a person qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses income limits based on the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) may change from year to year, so those who have income close to the limit may be eligible in the future.
For 2020, the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) was $783 for individuals and $1,175 for married couples.
Resource Rules
Unmarried individuals cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Married individuals cannot have more than $3,000 in countable resources.
There are certain resources are exempt or are considered not countable. The house you live in, a single vehicle for the family, and certain financial products like insurance with a cash surrender value or prepaid funeral may not be included in the resource calculation. ABLE Accounts are also a type of financial account that isn’t counted (if the balance is less than $100,000). The resource rules get complicated quickly, so you may benefit from contacting the local office to get your questions answered.
Receiving and Using Your Benefits
In the early days of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, benefits were paid out using paper checks. With changes in policy and advances in technology, paper checks are no longer used. Now, social security benefits are paid electronically. You can choose to have your benefits directly deposited in a bank account you already own or use the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® account.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a pamphlet, Get Your Payment Electronically (pdf), that explains how you can receive your benefits and how to avoid fees when using your social security benefits. If you aren’t able to manage the payments yourself, you can assign someone as your representative payee.
A representative payee is required to help you use your benefits in a way that benefits you the most. The money cannot be used to benefit the representative payee nor do they have ownership of the funds. This person can be very helpful in making sure you get the most out of your benefits.
Applying for the Program
If you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your benefits cannot start until you apply for the program. Thankfully the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to start the application process online. You may also wish to create an online my Social Security Account. The my Social Security account helps you keep track of the benefits you may be eligible to receive both related to disability and otherwise.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) created a web page with information about the SSI Application Process and Applicant Rights. If you have additional questions they are likely answered there. That page includes information about how to apply for benefits via telephone:
1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing) and making an appointment to apply for SSI benefits.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, we also will take your telecommunications relay services (TRS) assisted calls at 1-800-772-1213. You can have a telephone appointment with one of our representatives at your local Social Security office to file for SSI benefits.
Having someone else call and make the appointment for you or assist you with your application for SSI. For more information, see our chapter on HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SSI; or
Call your local Social Security office to schedule a telephone appointment to file for SSI benefits.
If you’d like to see if you may be eligible for other benefits you can use the Social Security Administration’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST). BEST includes a short questionnaire that helps you understand what benefits you might be eligible to receive. While the tool can give you an idea about your eligibility for benefits, you still need to complete the application process in order to begin receiving benefits.
Local Office Contact Information
For individuals who live in or near Bartholomew County, the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office is located at:
Address: 2535 Arnold Street, Columbus, IN 47203
Phone: 866-755-0990
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Fax: 1-833-950-2162
If you don’t live close to the office in Columbus, then you can use the Social Security Office Locator to find the closest office to you. You can also call the national toll-free number from 7am to 7pm on weekdays at: 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TDD).
Additional Resources
Social Security Administration (SSA) website
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program
Supplemental Security Income Spotlights: 32 pages devoted to specific Supplemental Security Income Topics
SSA Pamphlet - Getting your payments electronically (pdf)
Applying for benefits
Indiana Resource Center for Autism