Social Security Benefits
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- What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments?
- I have a disability, am I eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
- I have a disability, how do I apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
- How are Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) calculated and how can I get an idea of how much I would receive?
- What is the maximum monthly payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) I could receive?
- Do I qualify for Social Security spouse’s benefits?
- Can I return to work while getting Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
- I applied for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits but was denied. What can I do?
- Can an SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipient refuse to apply for unemployment compensation or other benefits if they might be eligible because they think they will lose their SSI and have to reapply once the payments stop?
- Does my living arrangement affect how much SSI (Supplemental Security Income) I get?
- What is SSI’s ISM “in-kind support and maintenance” and what are the recent changes about food and shelter costs?
- I am homeless and need help applying for Social Security or SSI benefits. Where can I find help?
- If I receive retirement or SSDI benefits and I die, will my adult child who has a disability and receives SSI payments get a higher payment from my work record?
- I am working and my child, under age 18, has a disability. Can I apply for SSI payments and Medicaid to help cover their extra costs of living with a disability?
- I am raising my grandchild, is there a way to get help for my grandchild’s living expenses?
- When am I eligible for retirement benefits?
- What is SSA or the Social Security Administration?
- How do I reach the Social Security Administration?
- Do I have to visit a Social Security office to apply for benefits or can I apply online?
- Does Social Security Administration have a Spanish-language website that provides information about their programs and services?
- How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security card?
- Are you waiting for a hearing with the Social Security Administration?
- I have received an overpayment from SSA, what should I do?
- Where can I go to find programs to help me lead a more financially independent life?
- I currently receive benefits from the Social Security Administration; however I am interested in working, is there someone to support me in entering the workforce?
- How can I find information on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in my state?
- Are there any programs for non-citizens or refugees who do not qualify for TANF, SSI or Medicaid, but who meet income and resource standards to receive assistance?
SSDI and SSI payments are both programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) but they have different eligibility criteria.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- SSDI provides income to adults who are unable to work due to disability and have contributed into Social Security through Social Security payroll taxes. To be eligible, the work record of the person that the benefits are paid under, must have enough work credits. The number of work credits needed increases based upon the person’s age when they apply for benefits
- In addition to medical factors, eligibility is not based on savings; it is based upon the person’s ability to work and earn less than $1,550 a month, for 12 months.
- Family members of the disabled individual may also be eligible for dependent benefits.
- Individuals who are approved for SSDI receive Medicare after 24 months. There are exceptions for ALS disease and end stage renal disease so that Medicare starts without wait.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- SSI is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to children and to adults who are disabled or blind and have limited income and resources. The program also pays a benefit to individuals age 65 and older who do not have a disability. They may or may not qualify for retirement benefits but if their income and savings are low enough, it may be supplemented with SSI.
- In most states, eligibility for SSI includes Medicaid eligibility. In some states a person who is SSI eligible needs to apply for Medicaid.
Some individuals may receive SSDI and SSI if their income and resources are limited.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages people to apply directly online or to make an appointment to file by phone as soon as the person becomes disabled.
A person who has a severe physical or mental disability that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year or more or result in death may apply if they also are limited in their ability to work and earn countable income of more than $1,550 a month or more than $2,590 if blind. Unlike some organizations or government programs, SSA does not pay benefits for partial disability or for short term disability of less than 12 months.
There are two programs under which SSA pays a monthly benefit based on a disability:
The first, Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) paid to: (1) adults (called wage earners) who are ages 18 up to full retirement age (ranges from 65-67) and have worked long enough and recently enough and paid Social Security taxes; and (2) to a wage earner’s eligible dependent children (called Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB)) age 18 and over whose disability began before age 22; or to (3) a surviving disabled widow/widower (DWB) who is ages 50-60 and meets certain technical rules of eligibility.
The second program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits are paid to children and adults who have limited income and limited resources. The parent’s income and resources (savings) are considered for children under age 18. After age 18 the parent’s income and resources (savings) are no longer considered.
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- If the SSI applicant has more than $2,000 in countable resources, they may want to consider opening an ABLE account for depositing cash resources. ABLE savings up to $100,000 are not counted as a resource for SSI.
If you have questions about which benefit you may qualify for, you may want to telephone SSA before filing or starting the process at (800) 772-1213.
There are several ways that you can apply for benefits or start the process:
- SSDI
- Apply Online for Disability Benefits to file the SSDI application. At this time, you cannot file for benefits as a Childhood Disability Beneficiary (CDB) or Disabled Widow Benefits (DWB)online; or
- Schedule an appointment at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- In all cases, complete the Adult Disability Report online in advance. This will speed up the process.
- SSI
- You can get started but you cannot file the SSI application online. The link will allow you to set up your appointment to file online instead of calling the office; or
- Schedule an appointment at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI disability benefits. SSA will decide if you can come into the office to file or whether you can file by phone interview. There are in-office restrictions due to COVID. If someone is deaf or hard of hearing, they may call the toll-free TTY number 1-800-325-0778 to review their options.
Learn what you need when applying for Disability Benefits including information about yourself, about your disability condition, doctor contact information and any employment information for the last two years. Once you have applied, you can check the status of your application online or you can appeal the decision if you are denied benefits, within 60 days of getting a denial letter.
To help you get ready for your disability interview or online application, review the Disability Starter Kit. There is a kit for adults and a kit for children.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) looks to see how much a person has earned and paid in payroll taxes (FICA) taxes over their years of working. This is called an earnings test. A person must have sufficient credits to be eligible or the person is automatically denied benefits before SSA even evaluates the disability. The number of credits needed depends on their age and type of benefit. The longer a person worked, the more they paid in taxes and the younger their age, possibly the higher the benefit. SSA has an online Benefit Calculator that can be used to understand your benefit amount.
You can also create a my Social Security account to help you estimate future benefits or manage benefits you already receive.
In 2024, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple who are married and both disabled. Your amount may be lower based on your income, certain family members’ income, your living arrangement, or other factors.
The amount may be higher if you live in a state that supplements an SSI payment. Most states supplement the payment but six do not: Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The amount of the supplement depends upon whether a person pays for their fair share of rent and if they live alone or with others.
If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following: Either 62 years of age or older, or any age and have in your care a child younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
Yes! In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes the Red Book to share their incentives and supports for people who choose to work to reach an employment goal to secure their financial well-being. SSA has special rules that allow disability beneficiaries to work without jeopardizing their payments or Medicare/Medicaid benefits.
The LEAD Center, under the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, also shares their support and provides a path forward depending upon where you are in your employment journey: Preparing for a Job, Starting a Job, Maintaining a Job, Changing or Losing a Job, and Retiring from a Job.
If you don’t agree with a decision the Social Security Administration (SSA) made, you have opportunities to appeal the decision. The process starts by asking the SSA to reconsider their decision and it must be requested within 60 days of the date the notice of denial is received. If you are denied again then you can continue through the appeals process by requesting a hearing with a Social Security Administrative Law judge.
No. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program of last resort (unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) or Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB)) and the law requires that an SSI recipient apply for any benefit they may be eligible to receive or risk termination of SSI.
If you decide to save some or all of these payments, an ABLE account, which is open to eligible individuals with a disability, is a great option for funds to grow tax free. Although unemployment compensation and many other types of unearned income count towards the SSI income limit, up to $100,000 in savings is not counted as a resource if you still receive any SSI. There is no limit for ABLE savings for those who receive SSDI, Medicare or any type of Medicaid. To learn more about ABLE accounts, visit: ABLENRC.org.
The Social Security Administration provides guidance regarding telephone contact, online services and options for requesting information during this time.
Yes, it can. If you rent or own your own place and pay for your own shelter costs or live in someone else’s household and pay for your share of shelter costs you could get up to the SSI full benefit amount in your state. If you do not live alone, but live with others, even your own child, your SSI state supplement could be reduced. Other things are considered too like your other income, your spouse’s income, or parent’s income if you are under age 18, including your countable savings.
If you are homeless, SSA (Social Security Administration) figures your benefit payment the same as they do for someone who lives in their own house, apartment or other dwelling.
In kind support and maintenance is food or shelter someone provides for you. It is counted as income when SSA figures your monthly SSI payment amount. There are some programs that are not counted: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits, housing assistance or some others.
If someone helps pay for your housing or housing related costs, SSA will reduce your monthly SSI payment by as much as one-third, depending on the value of the help you get.
There are two recent changes in the ISM policy beginning September 30, 2024:
- SSA will no longer include food in the ISM calculations; it used to be that help from others to afford food could reduce SSI. The new policy removes a critical barrier for SSI eligibility due to a SSI applicant’s or recipient’s receipt of informal food assistance from friends, family, and community networks of support. Learn about “Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations.”
- In the past, if an SSI applicant or recipient was paying a “discounted rent”, it could be charged to ISM and reduce the SSI payment amount. This policy was applied in all but 7 states. SSA policy will change on 9/30/24, so that the same rules are applied in all states. If someone receives discounted rent and if their rent equals or exceeds the presumed maximum value (PMV) or at least 1/3 of the full benefit rate, the SSI payment will not be reduced due to ISM.
The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) is a national program designed to increase access to SSA benefits for eligible adults, people who are age 18 or older, who are at risk of homelessness, have a serious mental health illness, medical impairment, or a co-occurring substance use disorder. SOAR does not provide direct services but can refer you to a SOAR trained provider in your area. The Soar State Directory will help you to find contacts in your area. The Self Help Guide, in English or Spanish, can also help if you are unable to access a SOAR-trained provider.
SSA has information for people experiencing homelessness and service providers who wish to help them and it includes links to housing assistance organizations in your area along with national organizations to help.
Maybe. If your adult child’s disability began before the age of 22 and if they meet other criteria to receive childhood disability benefits (CDB), they may be eligible for a payment on your Social Security record. The adult child must apply for the benefit and must meet other eligibility rules. Marriage of the CDB may affect eligibility for this benefit.
You can apply for SSI payments and Medicaid but to qualify, the families income and savings must be limited. Children under the age of 18 can get SSI if they meet the Social Security definition of disability for children. Their physical or mental condition must be very serious and limit their activities AND it must have lasted or can be expected to last at least 12 full months or result in death.
To apply, complete the online Child Disability Report – Form 3820 (ssa.gov). After you complete the report, Social Security will telephone you within 3-5 business days to review the report, discuss your income and resources, and start the rest of the application. If you do not have access to a computer, you may use the computers in the Social Security office or you can make an appointment to file in person or over the phone. SSA will request medical and school records based on the information you give to them. In most states, when someone receives SSI, they also receive Medicaid because Social Security makes that decision.
Social Security may pay benefits to grandchildren when the grandparent retires, becomes disabled or dies when certain conditions are met. Both biological parents of the child must be deceased or disabled, or the grandparent must legally adopt the child, and the grandparent must be providing more than half of the child’s support. Having legal custody of the grandchildren is not enough to qualify for benefits. Contact your local Social Security Office for more information or to start the application!
The earliest a person can receive a Social Security retirement benefit is age 62, however, claiming the benefit at this age results in a reduction in the monthly payment amount compared to claiming it at the full retirement age of 70. Full retirement age does vary based upon the year of your birth. For those born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age is 67.
Delaying claiming retirement benefits beyond full retirement age can result in an increased monthly payment amount up to a maximum at age 70.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial protection for the nation’s people, supporting Americans throughout all of life’s journeys. They administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare. They also provide Social Security numbers, which are unique identifiers needed to work, handle financial transactions, and determine eligibility for certain government services.
The Social Security Administration website www.ssa.gov is the best way to get help, but if you cannot use the website, you may telephone the National 800 number at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the office. If you visit, they may not be able to serve you that day and may schedule an appointment or phone call for a different day. You can find your office through the Social Security Office Locator.
You can do much of your business online with Social Security. This means no need to call or visit a local Social Security office. You can take your time completing our online applications and even save your progress to return to later.
SSA strives to deliver great customer service and helpful information to everyone, including people who are more comfortable reading and speaking Spanish. Their Spanish-language website provides information about their programs and services. You can learn how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, and much more.
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, or court order or need to correct your name for other reasons, you need to tell the Social Security Administration. This way you can get a replacement Social Security number (SSN) card with your correct legal name. There are opportunities to change and request a new card online or at least start the process online to make the process move more quickly.
The Social Security Administration announced a new service for people awaiting a hearing decision. In addition to telephone hearings, Social Security will offer the opportunity for an online video hearing using the Microsoft Teams platform beginning this fall. This new free service will allow applicants and their representatives to participate in the hearing from anywhere they have access to a camera-enabled smartphone, tablet or computer. This stable and secure online platform allows the Social Security judge to see and interact with applicants and their representatives just like an in-person hearing, while maintaining privacy of the claimant’s information. Other hearing experts, such as medical or vocational experts, may participate as well.
Do not ignore an overpayment notice. If you do nothing, SSA will start to collect the overpayment from your benefits. Starting March 25, 2024, SSA will withhold 10% of monthly benefits to recover the overpayment. For most beneficiaries they will approve repayment plans of up to 60 months or 5 years. To qualify, you would have to give them a verbal summary of your income, resources and expenses. If you receive SSI, you would not have to do this. SSA is also making it easier to ask SSA to forgive the overpayment and they are in the process of developing their policy now. Please visit SSA.gov for further updates.
Benefits.gov is a great tool to help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive, such as income assistance, employment accommodations, housing, caregiver assistance and other programs. You can browse by category or search using keywords. While this website does not accept or manage applications for benefits, it does provide you with details on programs and guides you through the process.
The American Dream Employment Network (ADEN), a program of National Disability Institute, is committed to helping Americans with disabilities achieve their American Dream. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, are age 18 through 64 and you’re ready to return to work, ADEN is available to support you. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time, returning to work or currently working, ADEN can support you in your efforts. ADEN is an approved Employment Network operating under Social Security’s Ticket to Work program.
TANF can temporarily assist low-income needy families with children (or expecting a child) experiencing financial difficulties. The criteria for “needy,” income eligibility and services varies by state. Each individual state, territory and tribe uses the TANF grants for monthly assistance payments and services.
Special refugee cash assistance (RCA) and refugee medical assistance (RMA) may be available through a refugee program during their first eight months in the U.S. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides funding for a broad range of social services to refugees through the states and, in some cases, through grants. The purpose is to help refugees obtain employment, achieve economic self-sufficiency and adjust socially as quickly as possible.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must not be a U.S. citizen who is a refugee that has been granted asylum, Haitian, Cuban, Amerasian or a victim of trafficking.
