Who qualifies for SSI?
If you're caring for someone who's 65 or older, or someone of any age who's blind or disabled, who has very low income and few assets, she may be eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), a monthly government cash benefit. This is true even if she owns her home.
SSI payments vary between about $300 to $1,000 per month per person ($500 to $1,200 for a couple). The exact amount depends on:
- How much other income the recipients have.
- Which state they live in.
Low income is one SSI qualification
An older adult or disabled person may be eligible for SSI benefits if she has roughly $1,500 or less a month in income from all sources, and few assets. The eligibility amount is different in each state and depends on a complicated set of rules, with some income counted but other income not. For example, if you provide the person with housing or food, that may be counted in determining eligibility.
Because it's difficult to know exactly how much income someone may have and still qualify for SSI, if she's anywhere close to that $1,500-per-month level, it's worth applying.
Having few assets is another SSI qualification
To qualify for SSI, a person must have no more than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for a couple). This includes any joint accounts the person has and any partial interests in property. In counting assets, however, the SSI program does not count:
*A home, regardless of its value, as long as the person lives in it.
*A car, up to a market value of $4,500; and if the car is used for work or commuting, is needed to get medical care, or is specially equipped for a disability, there is no market-value limit.
*Personal property and household goods, up to a current value of $2,000; expensive property needed for medical assistance -- like a wheelchair or special bed -- is not counted, nor is property used in work for self-support (such as tools or machines).
*Wedding and engagement rings, regardless of value.
*Life insurance policies with a face value of no more than $1,500 per policyholder.
*Burial spaces and a funeral and burial fund of up to $1,500.
I appreciate the information
My parents recently went to assisted living through a medi-cal waiver program. They will also be getting SSI to supplement the board and care rate and minimal living expenses. In the meantime, their mobile home was totally burned down while they were transitioning to assisted living. Their home insurance will give them a lump sum of money. Will they be cut off of medi-cal and SSI?
What we need are clear cut defined information and not generalities. The biggest problem today is lack of funds to expand research and this means that as caregivers we are relegated to a life of caring for our loved ones who have this unfortunate disease. We fight and conquer social diseases but dementria and AD are left to aricept and the ill gotten gains of that manufacturer gained from sufferers. We need specific advice not directions. Will the Republicans come forth with a plan to assist the caregivers or are we living in the sky on the way to the moon.
Reading that there may be help out there for me.... is most valuable to me because even though I have "family" I feel very alone sometimes. I believe my family always thought of me as strong... nothing I couldn't do. I didn't need any help, and never asked for any. Therefore, in their busy lives, they are unaware that I do need help sometimes. I want to tell them, but it is very hard. Their day is not long enough for all they want to do.
How and when may I apply for SSI? My SSA is $722 because I took an early retirement...Will I qualify for supplement? I will be 65 on February 23, 2010. May I apply before then?
If you'd like to see if you qualify for SSI before going to a Social Security Office, there is an online tool here: http://connections.govbenefits.gov/ssa_en.portal.