Everyone wants to stay financially stable. For some that means putting food on the table, for others, it means maintaining a certain lifestyle. However, regardless of the kind of lifestyle you’re used to, it most likely costs more nowadays. The economy has been coming to a grinding halt. With all the political stuff going on, and a global pandemic still going on, we shouldn’t be surprised that the economy is not booming.

When it comes to low-income folks, things are tougher than ever. Whatever the cost of living they needed to pay, it has most likely multiplied in recent years. And, these are not just the unfortunate few. Low-income individuals and families can be the result of things that they can’t control. Think of all the elderly people (60 years old and above) that are most likely retired and wouldn’t be able to get well-paid jobs if they wanted to. Consider also disabled people (physically or mentally) who would struggle to get jobs with high salaries. Try adding to the list all the folks who don’t have enough saved up to afford higher education. All of these people would struggle with the same thing. That thing is struggling to get jobs that pay enough to help them keep up with the ongoing inflation.

Thankfully, the government tries hard to support Americans in need. The federal government develops and manages many assistance programs to help Americans out. It’s important to know about these programs if they’re useful to you.

Types Of Federal Assistance Programs Available

If the economy is slowing down and experiencing inflation, then the prices of almost everything become higher. That’s why the government tries to help Americans out with paying for all necessities. Housing, education, and healthcare in America have always been expensive, but prices recently are getting out of hand. That’s why the government has many assistance programs to help Americans afford all of those things and more. Not a single entity in America can provide you with information about all assistance programs available. That’s why the federal government created a portal where you can find all the information you would need about those assistance programs. The portal is called Benefits.gov. We’ll discuss later how the website works. But, for now, you only need to know that it’s a great place to learn about government assistance programs.

Let’s Talk About The Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Remember when we talked about low-income folks who struggle to get better incomes? Well, this one’s for them. The government created the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make monthly payments for Americans. The federal government, through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), focuses on helping low-income Americans. However, the program focuses on a specific group of low-income Americans. That group includes only Americans who have physical limitations that get in the way of making a higher income. Let’s take a look at the list of people the government aims to serve through the Supplemental Security Income program:

• At least 65 years old or above, and/or;
• Have a physical disability that prevents you from having the ability to work that will last at least a year or result in death and/or blind
• Have limited income and resources
• Be a US citizen or an eligible immigrant
• Live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. The government will make exceptions for children of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States or certain students temporarily abroad.

Moreover, the government will consider other factors when assessing candidates for the program. Factors such as your marital status and income, and the resources of certain members in your household may affect your application.

How Supplemental Security Income Program Works

With the help of the US Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal government created the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSA manages the program. However, SSA does not use Social Security taxes to fund this federal program. SSA, instead, uses its general tax revenues from the US Treasury general funds. Only eligible recipients can receive funds from SSA through SSI. These funds can be used to cover basic needs such as clothing, food, and shelter. The amount a recipient gets through SSI can differ due to location or income.

The eligible recipients’ living arrangements can also influence the amount they can receive through SSI. Some states invest extra into SSI, which can result in eligible recipients getting more money.

The government may also choose to give you smaller amounts through SSI if you have other sources of income. Those sources can be wages, pensions, or Social Security benefits. On top of that, you may receive smaller SSI funds if someone pays your household bills or if you live with a spouse who has income.

SSI Eligibility Terms You Should Know About

Alright, so, through this program, the government wants to help people with low incomes and valid reasons for not being able to make higher ones. Obviously, when applying for SSI, the government will require documents to prove these ‘reasons’. The three main criteria of challenges that hinder a person’s ability to make higher income that SSI will consider are old age, a physical disability that renders a person unable to work for at least a year, and blindness.

Moreover, SSA will look at 2 things when they look over your application: your income and the things you own (a.k.a your resources). Your income includes things such as your wages, pension and social security benefits. Things such as food and shelter may also find their way into the equation.

When it comes to the things you own, SSA will look at your bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. You may receive SSI money from SSA if your resources are worth less than $2,000. Also, if you’re applying for SSI as a couple, that resource limit may increase to $3,000.

Things Can Get Pretty Confusing When SSA Calculates Your Income And Resources

We mentioned above the general criteria that SSA will consider when deciding on your SSI grant, but there’s a long list of exceptions that they’ll also put into consideration.

SSA will not add the following to your income balance:

• The first $20 a month of most income you receive.
• The first $65 a month you earn from working and half the amount over $65.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
• Housing you receive from private nonprofit organizations
• Most home energy assistance benefits
• Some wages and scholarships, if you’re a student
• Wages you use to pay for items or services that help you work if you’re disabled. For example, wages used to pay for a wheelchair
• Wages a blind person uses for work expenses. For example, wages spent on transportation
• Some of the income you use (or save) for training, if you’re blind and/or disabled

SSA will also ignore the following when reviewing your resources balance:

• The home where you live and the land you live on
• Any life insurance policies with a face value less than $1,500
• Your car (in most cases)
• Any burial plots for yourself and members of your immediate family (siblings, parents, spouse, and offspring)
• Burial funds up to $1,500 for yourself. And, another $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse.

There Are A Few More Exceptions SSA Might Make

If you live in a city or county rest home, halfway house, or other public institution (such as a jail or prison), then you normally wouldn’t qualify for SSI. However, SSA makes an exception if you live in one of the following circumstances:

• Live in a publicly operated community residence that serves no more than 16 people.
• Attend approved educational or job training to help you get a job in a public institution.
• Live in a public emergency shelter for the homeless

Keep in mind that if you have any felony or arrest warrants for escape from custody, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement, or flight escape you might not qualify for SSI.

Here’s How To Apply For SSI

You don’t want to waste too much time by trying to apply for SSI without knowing all the information necessary. Otherwise, you’d be wasting not only time, but also your energy on a dead end. So, here are the steps you should take when you apply for SSI:

1. You definitely want to check on all qualifications required for SSI. Whether it’s about your age, physical disability, or blindness, it wouldn’t harm to have all necessary information. So double-check the program’s eligibility before applying. Also, remember, your income and resources might also affect your application.
2. There’s no point in providing false information. The government will run a background check on all applicants. If you provide false information, you wouldn’t only waste everyone’s time, but you would also be risking disqualification from the program.
3. Eligible SSI applicants may also apply for regular social security benefits. That’s one example of the many social security benefits you can find. That’s why you should take the time to research the kind of available benefits.
4. Online applications start here. However, you can also use the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. Take your time to explore the SSA website as it has a ton of useful information for you.
5. A lawyer can be very useful when applying for SSI. Those guys should have all the information you need on the program. They can help you with the application process. They can also be there if you need to file for an appeal. You only need to appeal if you feel like you aren’t receiving the rights you are entitled to.

SSA General List Of Required Documents

In a general sense, SSA will need documents to prove your identity, also the factors we mentioned above, such as income, age, proof of disability and/or blindness. However, SSI benefits and qualifications may vary from one state to the other. So, make sure to check with your local SSA office about the required documents.

• Social Security card or a record of your Social Security number.
• Birth certificate or other proof of your age
• Information about your housing situation. SSA may require information about your mortgage, lease, or landlord.
• All information about your income and resources. To apply for SSI, you may need to provide Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, and burial fund records.
• If you’re applying for SSI as a disabled and/or blind person, you may need to provide contact information for any doctors, hospitals, and clinics you’ve visited
• Proof of US citizenship or eligible immigrant status
• Checkbooks, or any other documents that show your bank, credit union, or savings and loan account number.

Disabled Adults May Apply For SSI And Security Disability Insurance At The Same Time. 

SSA has a list of recognized physical disabilities. If applicants have one of those disabilities, they may be eligible to apply for SSI and Security Disability Insurance. Applicants, however, need to fulfill the following qualifications:

• Aged between 18 and 65
• Never been married
• US citizen
• Living in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
• Haven’t applied for or received SSI payments before

There Are Extra Exceptions For Blind And Disabled Individuals

Blind and/or disabled workers may continue to receive SSI funds while working. If their incomes increase, SSI benefits may decrease or stop. They may also save money for work goals or educational goals. These savings will not impact the funds they receive through SSI. Moreover, Blind and/or disabled workers may receive special services, such as counseling, job training, and career-development assistance. These services and exceptions aim to help ease their lives, and potentially push their careers forward.

SSI Is A Great Way To Qualify For Other Federal Programs

Many federal financial assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid aim to help low-income individuals. When applying for these programs, applicants need to prove their income status. However, qualifying for SSI automatically qualified applicants for these programs.