What is supplemental security income vs social security

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Supplemental Security Income Home Page -- 2022 Edition

Social Security Program Rules / Supplemental Security Income Home Page

What is Supplemental Security Income?	Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):
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Am I eligible for SSI benefits?	This link will take you to the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. By taking 5 to 10 minutes to answer a few questions, you can find out if you are eligible for SSI or other benefits. (See also more detailed information on SSI Eligibility Requirements.)
How may I apply for SSI benefits?	Take this link to a summary about the SSI Application Process and Applicant Rights. If you believe you or someone you know may be eligible for SSI, you can use the link below to assist you in requesting an appointment. The online process takes about 5-10 minutes and no documentation is required at this time. We will need basic information about you and, if applicable, the person you are assisting. Information we need: Name, date of birth, and Social Security number of the individual interested in SSI. Mailing address and phone number for the individual interested in SSI. Your name and phone number if you are assisting another individual. Optional: Email address for the individual interested in SSI Once you have successfully completed the online process, a Social Security representative will schedule the appointment. We will send an appointment confirmation to the individual interested in SSI by mail, email, or both. In some cases, a Social Security Administration (SSA) representative may contact you by phone to schedule the appointment. If you are assisting an individual who is not your minor child with the appointment request, please inform the individual that an SSA representative will be contacting them by phone to discuss their interest in SSI benefits. Request an SSI Appointment If you are not able to complete the request using the link above, you may schedule an appointment by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also contact your local Social Security office. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Field Office Locator.
Help for Beneficiaries Who Return to Work	If you already get benefits and are thinking about returning to work, please check out this link to a summary about SSI Work Incentives.
Income Reporting	If you receive SSI for yourself or someone else, check out this link to a chart with detailed instructions regarding income reporting for SSI recipients.
General Information	When you use the link to General Information, you will come to our list of published pamphlets and fact sheets about SSI. Some of these publications are in different formats. Some are also available in both English and Spanish languages.
Understanding SSI	The Understanding SSI booklet provides comprehensive general information about SSI eligibility requirements and processes. Written especially for SSI advocates, but also useful for the general public, it addresses a broad range of topics, from applying for benefits to reporting events that may change the payment of benefits. Please check out its "Table of Contents" for a list of these topics.
SSI Spotlights
Social Security Handbook	This is a link to Chapter 21 of the Social Security Handbook which contains material about SSI organized in question and answer format so that you can find the information you need quickly and easily.
SSI Law and Regulations	Go to our page on SSI Law and Regulations to find out which parts of the Social Security Act and the Code of Federal Regulations for the Social Security Administration are used to administer the SSI program.
Resources for Advocates and the General Public	Check the links on our SSI Resources page for information on how to find the nearest Social Security office, how to obtain a proof of income letter, etc.
SSI Eligibility Notices	We routinely send notices to people who already receive benefits from us to let them know they may be eligible for another type of benefit and they should contact us and apply. From December 2020 through June 2022, we are sending notices to certain people who already receive Social Security benefits to let them know they may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If people who receive the notice have an E-mail address registered with us, they may also receive an E-mail. The SSI program provides monthly payments to adults and children who have low income and resources, and who are blind or disabled. The SSI program also provides monthly payments to people age 65 and older who have low income and resources. We established a dedicated phone line with a team of specialized employees to help people who receive this notice. These employees are SSI experts who can answer questions and help callers apply for SSI.