While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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We are not affiliated with the government in any way. We are a private company that engaged writers to research the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process. We are not providing legal or financial advice. If you need such advice please contact an attorney or a financial advisor.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a federal assistance program that provides monthly benefits to low-income blind, disabled, and elderly individuals.
Supplemental Security Income is not the same as Social Security Benefits. However, SSI beneficiaries may also be eligible to receive Social Security Benefits, and applicants who apply for SSI will automatically apply for Social Security Benefits.
The Supplemental Security Income program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Learn more about Supplemental Security Income on the Social Security Administration website here.
The Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly monetary benefits to qualifying beneficiaries. Benefits are provided to both adults and children who meet the program’s eligibility criteria. There is no limit to the amount of time that an individual may receive benefits.
The maximum federal SSI benefit amount changes annually. For 2023, Supplemental Security Income benefits were increased to a maximum of $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple. However, the more countable income you receive, the less your allotted SSI benefit amount will be.
Some of the income you receive does not impact your SSI eligibility or benefit amount, including the first $20 of income you receive each month, loans that you must repay, and income tax refunds. Your countable income is subtracted from your federal SSI benefit rate. Learn more about countable income here.
Some states provide additional payments to supplement federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. State payments can vary based on income, living expenses, and other factors.
The following states and territories do not provide additional SSI payments to adult recipients:
The Social Security Administration administers state supplements for some states. Beneficiaries living within these states may contact the SSA with questions regarding their total benefit amount. The following states provide state supplements to adult recipients through the Social Security Administration:
Some states provide and administer their payments. Beneficiaries may contact their state program for state SSI benefit information. You can find a Social Security office near you here. States that administer supplement benefits to adult recipients are:
You can learn more about state SSI supplements for adult beneficiaries here.
The following states and territories do not provide additional SSI payments to child recipients:
The following states provide state supplements to child recipients through the Social Security Administration:
Some states provide and administer their payments. Beneficiaries may contact their state program for state SSI benefit information. You can find a Social Security office near you here. States that administer supplement benefits to child recipients are:
You can learn more about state SSI supplements for child beneficiaries here.
To qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits, you must be:
And you must:
Learn about income limits and how income is counted for Supplemental Security Income benefits here. Learn more about countable resources and resource limits here.
Learn more about qualifying immigration statuses here.
Take the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool here to determine if you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income or other benefits. Find further information on Supplemental Security Income eligibility here.
It is important to apply for the Supplemental Security Income program as soon as you may be eligible to not miss out on any benefits. The Social Security Administration does not administer benefits for months before your application date.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income online, you must be an adult with a disability. Click here to begin the online application through the Social Security Administration website.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income by phone, call 1 (800) 772-1213 to schedule an appointment. During your appointment, a Social Security Administration representative will help you complete your application.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income in person, click here to find your nearest Social Security office. Call your local office or 1 (800) 772-1213 to schedule an appointment and reduce your wait time.
If you have any questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213. You can also email the Social Security Administration by completing the online general information form here.
Or, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
You can check the status of your Supplemental Security Income application online, by phone, or in-person:
The Social Security Administration will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income. In some cases, the SSA may contact you for additional information before approving your application.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a letter detailing if your Supplemental Security Income application was approved or denied. If approved, you will receive a Benefit Verification Letter. If you are denied SSI benefits, your letter will detail why you were denied benefits.
Supplemental Security Income applications are denied if applicants do not meet eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits reduced or terminated if their eligibility status changes while enrolled in the Supplemental Security Income program.
Learn more about Supplemental Security Income eligibility requirements here.
If your Supplemental Security Income application is denied or your benefit amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must send your request within 60 days of receiving a notice of denial or benefits reduction.
You can file for an appeal online, by mail, by fax, by phone, or in person.
To file an appeal online, complete the online Appeals Council Request for Review form here.
To file an appeal by mail, complete the Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order here and submit the completed form to:
Appeals Council, SSA/OARO
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3255
To file an appeal by fax, complete the Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order here and submit the completed form to 1 (833) 509-0817.
To file an appeal by phone, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213.
To file an appeal in person, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
You must report changes to the Social Security Administration that may impact your Supplemental Security Income eligibility or benefit amount within ten days. Changes that must be reported include changes to your:
Failing to report a change can result in a $25 to $100 Supplemental Security Income benefit amount reduction each time you fail to report a change. If you are overpaid due to a change, you will be required to pay back the overpayment.
Learn more about reporting changes to the Social Security Administration here.
For help with a Supplemental Security Income application or any further questions about the SSI program, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213. You can also email the Social Security Administration by completing the online general information form here.
Or, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Supplemental Security Income program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Supplemental Security Income Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.