Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides financial help to disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury, such as personal income taxes, corporate and other taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on prior work or a family members prior work.
SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. In most states, SSI recipients can also get medical assistance (Medicaid) to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. Many states also provide a supplemental payment to certain SSI recipients.
To qualify for SSI, an individual must have limited income and resources and be either 65 or older, blind, or disabled. The amount of the monthly payment varies depending on an individual's income, resources, and living arrangements. Congress can strengthen SSI by updating the asset limits and income disregards and indexing them to inflation.
