| Another program being administered by the Social | | | | the Federal income tax revenues and not from |
| Security Administration (SSA) in ensuring social | | | | the Trust Fund of the Social Security. |
| protection for the citizens of the United States is | | | | Provisions of SSI benefits do not base eligibility on |
| the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). | | | | the individual's employment or job history; it is |
| The SSI program's main targets are the | | | | based more on the needs of the individual. |
| poverty-stricken individuals who have a lack of | | | | How to qualify for SSI benefits |
| resources to pay for basic needs like food, shelter | | | | SSI Program requirements: |
| and clothing. The program intends to give income | | | | 1. United States legal resident and have not left |
| to needy individuals who were disabled and/or | | | | the country "for more than 30 days" |
| have reached the elderly age of 65 and above, | | | | 2. Citizens of the United States and eligible for |
| for as long as they have adequately met the | | | | benefits (Some resident aliens are also given |
| program's income requirements. | | | | opportunity to avail of SSI benefits, given several |
| The SSA carefully administers and enforces the | | | | conditions) |
| SSI program's income requirements. By doing | | | | 3. Meet the requirements, both Medical and |
| these, the government is assured of providing | | | | non-medical |
| benefit only to people who have limited resources | | | | 4. For those under 65 years old, they must meet |
| and inadequate income. The SSA carefully | | | | the requirements of being disabled through |
| evaluates those who are elderly, disabled and has | | | | evaluation of the state Disability Determination |
| impairments that are qualified to receive | | | | Service (DDS) |
| Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI | | | | 5. For children under 18 years of age, similar |
| benefits). | | | | disability requirements are also needed. |
| What is Income and Resources? | | | | 6. For those who are 65 years old and above, |
| Income is the money an individual earns or | | | | they need not meet the requirements for |
| receives every week or month through a job, | | | | disability and need only to meet the non-medical |
| unemployment benefits, VA benefits, pension, | | | | requirements by the SSI program. |
| family members and other relatives, and friends. | | | | What are the SSI benefits? |
| Resources, meanwhile, pertain to the money an | | | | - Individuals who qualify for benefits under the |
| individuals is safekeeping in a bank or accounts for | | | | SSI program receive Medicaid. This is a "health |
| investment like 401k/IRA, savings bonds, mutual | | | | insurance plan" intended for needy citizens. |
| funds, stocks, and CDs, as well as properties an | | | | Many States base eligibility for Medicaid program |
| individual may have, aside from the primary | | | | according to an individual's SSI eligibility. |
| residence, trust funds, vehicles excluding one, life | | | | Meanwhile, some States use other terms for |
| insurance policies. | | | | programs that are equivalent to the Medicaid. For |
| These are considered limited when the sum value | | | | example, in the state of California the program, |
| equals to $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for | | | | which essentially is Medicaid, is called MediCal. |
| married couples. | | | | - In several States, SSI eligibility also qualifies the |
| Those applying for SSI benefits whose assets | | | | individuals and their family to avail of food stamps. |
| have surpassed these sum value will not be | | | | Local Social Services in each area can be |
| considered eligible. | | | | consulted for qualifications to receive food |
| Where do the SSI benefits come from? | | | | stamps. |
| The money being used for the SSI comes from | | | | |