Am I eligible to get SSI benefits?

You may be, if you are an adult or child who has little or no income and/or resources, have been unable to work throughout your life because of a medical condition, may have paid little or no Social Security taxes, and meet Social Security’s definition of a disabled individual. You may also be eligible for SSI benefits if you are age 65 or older and meet the income requirements, whether or not you are disabled.

One way to find out whether or not you might be eligible for SSI is to use Social Security’s Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool, or BEST. If the results from the BEST screening tool show that you might be eligible, you can choose to apply for SSI online. You can also call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or if you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, 1-800-325-0778. Social Security representatives are available to answer questions Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

If you have more questions about Supplemental Security Income, contact an attorney who specializes in Social Security claims.