The Social Security Administration is the federal government agency that manages and provides insurance and financial assistance programs for qualifying citizens in need. One such program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is meant for people above a certain age and people who have certain disabilities and conditions that make them unable to work and earn an income.
There are many different kinds of SSI and other Social Security assistance programs that help elderly, disabled, and terminally ill citizens of the country every year. You can reach out to a local SSI office to receive guidance on applying for Medicare, disability benefits and retirement benefits. Keep reading to learn more about the types of SSI benefits, the qualifications and the application processes.
Every U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other form of authorized worker has a Social Security Number (SSN). This identification number is nine digits long and allows you to prove your identity for a variety of services and situations, including applying for a job, a credit card, a bank account, utility services and housing.
Your SSN is also how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) track your annual earnings and collect taxes on applicable income. When you file your taxes, you include your SSN on your tax return or claim government assistance, like SSI stimulus checks. In fact, your earnings (or the earnings of your spouse or caretaker) can impact your eligibility for SSA benefits and how much you receive.
The SSA provides financial assistance and insurance for a variety of qualifying citizens, including those who’ve reached or passed retirement age, have a disability or are suffering from a terminal illness. Here are some SSA programs you may be eligible to receive:
Disability insurance: The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays qualified workers who become disabled if are insured by working and pay a certain amount in Social Security taxes.
Medicare: People aged 65 years or older as well as younger residents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may receive Medicare-sponsored health insurance.
Retirement insurance: These benefits are for qualified workers who have paid into Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. You may receive these benefits every month until your passing.
Spousal insurance: These benefits include disability, health insurance and retirement benefits for non-working individuals with qualifying spouses.
Supplemental Security Income: SSI is meant for low-income families and those who are disabled or blind. You or your spouse must meet a minimum amount of taxes paid into Social Security to qualify. You can use this money to pay for basic necessities, including food and shelter.
Unemployment insurance: These benefits are for out-of-work individuals who previously worked for a business that had unemployment insurance. Typically, entrepreneurs or those working for non-covered businesses don’t qualify. However, due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government did extend these benefits to cover previously unqualified people.In some cases, you may apply and qualify for one program and then automatically be enrolled in another program because of how entwined some benefits are. For example, you might apply for SSI benefits if you have a disability and then also receive Medicare health insurance, too.
