SSI Benefits - who is Eligible and How do I apply for them?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

SSI benefits are potentially payable to anyone meets the social security administration definition of disability and both children and adults may be entitled to receive disability benefits under this program. However, before medical records are obtained and evaluated under the criteria of the program (as well as work history for adults and school records for children), eligibility for SSI begins with need.

Contrary to Social Security disability, which is based strictly on the insured status of the working individual and the determination that they are, in fact, medically disabled, SSI does have non-medical criteria that must be met in order for a person to be entitled to monetary benefits. In fact, this criteria must be met before a claim can even be taken.

How do you apply for SSI benefits for yourself, or your child? All Social Security disability programs require a disability interview. You must contact Social Security to schedule an appointment for a disability interview. Contacting your local Social Security office, or calling the toll free Social Security number can accomplish this.

For more information on how the disability process works, see:

1. What Happens in the processing of a disability claim after you file?
2. Filing a disability application and what happens during an interview.
3. What are the Assets that count for SSI Disability?

Once you have your disability interview appointment scheduled, you may be wondering what type of information Social Security will need to process your (or your child’s) application for SSI benefits. Since Supplemental Security Income is based upon need, you will need to bring in information about your income and resources. Currently, individuals applying for SSI disability are entitled to have countable assets totaling two thousand dollars, if single, and three thousand dollars for a couple.

What does Social Security view as a resource or asset? Social Security considers land or property other than the property you live on as a resource, insurance policies that have cash value, vehicles (cars, boats, etc), cash, stocks, bonds, and other sellable items as countable resources.

The SSI program also considers income such as veteran’s benefits, long term or short term disability benefits, and any type of wages payable to you or your spouse when determining your (or your child) eligibility for Supplemental Security income.

Keeping this in mind, what does Social Security require as a verification of income and resources? When you come to your interview, you will need to be able to provide information about your vehicles, bank accounts, investment information, life insurance policies, burial funds, and payroll information.

If you meet the income and resource qualifications of SSI, the claims representative will review your medical sources such as doctors, hospitals, and clinics where you have received treatment. Additionally, Social Security will need information about your work activity prior to becoming disabled to work, and your educational background. Once Social Security has gathered all of your medical information, your SSI claim will be sent to a state disability processing agency for a medical decision to be made.

Once a medical decision is made your SSI claim, it will be sent back to your local Social Security Office. If the medical decision was an allowance (an approval), you will be called in for an backend interview. This interview is used to determine your living arrangements and if you still meet the income and resource limits of the SSI disability program.

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

How long does it take to get an SSI decision ?

Can an adult who has been to college but hasn't worked for a long time get Disability Benefits?

Who makes the Determination of a Social Security Disability Claim?

Disability Qualifications

Filing Social security disability application

Is getting social security disability easier for mental or physical problems?

Is There A Maximum Dollar Amount For SSI Disability?

How far back are Social Security disability benefits awarded on an appeal?

Will SSD Be Based On Newer Or Older Medical Records?

What does SSA consider a severe impairment for Social Security Disability or SSI Disability Benefits?

If You are Denied for Disability, What Should You do First?

Why was I denied social security disability?

Applying for disability benefits in Missouri

What determines how long I can keep my Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI?

Does The Social Security Disability Reconsideration Have A Time Limit?

Can You Get Approved For Social Security Disability If You Do Not Take Medication Or Go To a Doctor?

How Often Does Social Security Disability Review Cases?

What is the best way to check the status of a Social Security Disability Claim or SSI claim?

Social Security Administration Disability Benefits From SSD and SSI

If I Apply For Disability And Go Back To Work, Do I Need To Report This?

Can You Receive Social Security Disability Or SSI Benefits At the Same Time As VA or Veterans’ Benefits?

When you Apply for Social Security do you get Medicare?

What is the Chance of Winning an SSA appeal for disability?

To qualify for Social Security disability or SSI, how severe must a condition be?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Ohio

If you are applying for Social Security disability when does Medicare start ?

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Will Social Security Disability Pay for X-rays or an MRI?

Who is eligible for SSI Disability?

If I get disability will my children receive benefits ?

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Can You qualify for Social Security disability or SSI on the basis of anxiety or panic attacks ?

Will I Qualify For SSI, How Do I Get Approved?

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Who qualifies to Claim Disability Benefits under the SSD or SSI program?

How Many Times Will Social Security Disability Deny You before You Get Approved?

How do I request a social security disability hearing - How do I file?

How much does Social Security pay in disability benefits ?

Fibromyalgia and disability

Applying for disability benefits in Arizona

Can You Appeal A Decision By A Judge On A Social Security Disability or SSI Case?

How Long Will It Take For A Decision Letter For Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability SSI and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials