Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a US federal program, which can help give financial aid to those with disabilities. SSI is not the same as receiving disability pay. Normally one may be eligible for disability payments if one has worked for 12 months prior to the disability occurring, and the disability is expected to last for a year, or result in death.

SSI, on the other hand, does not require that a person ever work prior to receiving it. In fact part of SSI funds are distributed to children with significant disabilities, like severe mental retardation, blindness, cancer or heart defects. Children who receive SSI do so based on their parents’ income level. The child or adult receiving SSI must also be a US citizen and have a social security number.

Permanently disabled adults may also receive SSI without needing to work prior to qualifying. Amounts tend to be capped at about 500-600 USD a month, but this may vary. SSI is also increased slightly on a yearly basis. Income requirements for eligibility tend to go up as well. Disabled adults may also be able to work a few hours a week and still qualify for some SSI. The amount one can earn if one is considered disabled varies and should be verified with the Social Security Administration.

One of the useful aspects of SSI is that it also makes one eligible for state medical insurance, which is generically referred to as Medicaid. In California, state aid is called Medi-Cal. One can also hold private medical insurance, and this does not affect eligibility for Medicaid. Even if one only receives a few dollars a month from SSI, one still usually has full eligibility for state aid. This can cover things like co-payments or provide full insurance if one is uninsured. However, finding practitioners who take state funded medical benefits may be challenging. If you live near a state university hospital, this can often be the best place to go for medical care as they are obligated to take Medicaid.

While some medical conditions can automatically prove a medical condition severe enough to receive SSI, sometimes conditions must be proven as truly disabling. Those with mental illnesses severe enough to warrant not working may need to undergo state psychiatric examination in order to qualify. Further, conditions that are expected to improve may require yearly review.

If one spouse works, and another receives SSI, or a child receives SSI, one is generally required to file an income report each month. This usually simply involves sending in pay stubs to prove income. SSI amounts can change if pay changes. Even if a person were to work a few hours of overtime, a monthly amount could change slightly, or significantly.

To apply for SSI, one must fill out applications available at the Social Security Administration office in your town. If a child is suddenly disabled, or is born with disabilities, hospital social workers may also have applications on hand and can help with filing. An approved application allows for one to receive funds from the filing date of the application. Filling out and filing the application promptly can help one receive back benefits that can be of tremendous assistance.