Do I Qualify for SSI? A Checklist to Consider

In general, your ability to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from Social Security is dependent upon your income and your assets, as well as whether or not you qualify due to blindness, being over the age of 65 or being disabled.  

Your Income

The monthly amounts of money you receive in the form of wages, Social Security benefits, or pensions will be the major determining factor in whether or not you qualify for SSI benefits. When determining whether or not you qualify for SSI, Social Security does not consider the first $20 per month of most forms of income you receive, the first $65 per month you earn from working, as well as half the amount over $65, food stamps, shelter received from a non-profit organization or home energy assistance. If you are married, at least a part of your spouse’s resources and income will be considered when deciding your qualifications for SSI.

If you are a non-citizen with a sponsor, SSI may include the sponsor’s resources and income when determining whether or not you are qualified. Generally speaking, students who receive wages or scholarships do not have to consider those forms of income, and if you are disabled, but still work regularly, any wages you use to pay for items to aid your disability in your work do not count as income. If you are blind and work, and use a portion of your wages to pay for work expenses, such as transportation to and from work, then those wages are not counted as income for the purposes of determining SSI eligibility.

What You Own

The resources you have which will be considered in deciding your SSI eligibility generally include real estate, cash, stocks, bonds and bank accounts, and usually you cannot have more than $2,000 total from these resources or $3,000 for a couple. If you are in possession of real estate you are attempting to sell, you may possibly qualify for SSI during the period you are trying to sell it. Not all of your resources will be counted by SSI when they make their determination, such as the home you live in and the land it sits on. You are allowed to possess a life insurance policy with a face value of less than $1,500, your car (in most cases), burial plots for yourself and your immediate family members, and as much as $1,500 in burial funds for you and $1,500 for your spouse.

Other SSI Rules

Aside from the qualifications set out above, you must live in the United States and be a U.S. citizen or national. In most cases, those who live in a city or county nursing home or halfway house are not eligible for SSI, however, there are exceptions. If you are currently living in a public institution in order to get specific job training, then you may qualify for SSI. If you live in a homeless shelter, you may qualify for SSI.

Consult a Disability Attorney

It is in your best interests to contact a knowledgeable disability attorney in your area, as the specific SSI rules differ from state to state to some extent.