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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
In order to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Title XVI, a claimant must:
1) Show that he or she is disabled, or cannot engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
2) Show that he or she has a low income with few assets (see SGA Requirements).
Unlike Disability Insurance Benefits, SSI is NOT dependent on how long a claimant has worked. Rather, income and assets are the main factors when determining eligibility for SSI benefits. The income from other members of your household will also be considered. For example, if an individual is disabled but has a spouse with significant earnings, this person would not qualify for SSI even if he or she is severely disabled. If an individual has worked enough to qualify for DIB, he or she may also qualify for SSI. You may be approved for both SSI and DIB, although the final amounts will offset and may vary from the amounts quoted in your Notice of Award (see Calculating Benefits).
If you are unsure which type of benefits would apply to your situation, contacting a disability representative can answer your question fairly quickly.
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