What is SSI?

If you are wondering "What is SSI?" then read on. This means-tested program provides cash payments to people with disabilities. People who receive this money are typically disabled children or adults who are 65 years old or older. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen with a disability or other health condition. You must have limited assets and income to receive SSI benefits. In addition, you must be under the age of 18 to receive this money.

SSI is a mental health disability

Social Security has strict guidelines for determining whether someone is eligible for SSI benefits. Mental health disorders are considered disabilities under the program's definition. A mental illness is one that limits a person's ability to work for at least 12 months or likely will result in death. An evaluation of your condition is a must to qualify for benefits. Social Security will evaluate the degree of limitation in various areas. In some cases, the doctor will review your medical records, interview you, or collect evidence from your caregivers.

Studies of mental illness show that the process of applying for benefits varies. While selected samples have been studied, no analysis of a national sample has been conducted. In this article, we examine the characteristics of persons with mental disorders and factors that differentiate them from applicants who do not qualify for benefits. We also examine the relationship between mental health programs and the applications process. Here are some of the differences we observed:

SSI is available to those under 18

The federal Social Security Administration administers the Social Security Disability Insurance program. To qualify for this program, an individual must be under the age of 18 and suffer from severe functional limitations that last for at least 12 months. Individuals 18 and older must have a physical or mental impairment, or a combination of impairments, to qualify for SSI. A full-time elementary school student does not have to undergo the age-18 redetermination.

In a study of youth applicants, researchers found that 46.9 percent had previously applied for SSI. In fact, many had applied for the program more than 10 years prior to their current filing. Less than half of those who applied were first-time applicants. Previous application experience may have made these youths more familiar with program rules. However, a small proportion of youth applicants had previously been removed from SSI because of a CDR or age-related redetermination.

SSI requires limited assets

Applying for SSI means having limited financial resources and income. Social Security defines assets as any money that can be turned into cash, excluding your home, transportation, and household goods. You must have limited income and no more than $2,000 in assets per individual or $3,500 for a couple. In some circumstances, you may have a smaller amount of assets and still qualify for SSI. If you think you meet the eligibility requirements, then contact a social security advocate to learn about how to apply for assistance.

The federal government determines the maximum amount of countable assets an individual can have. For a married couple, that limit can be higher. The federal benefit rate for an individual in 2018 was $775 per month, while for a family it was $1,125 per month. Listed below are the income and asset limits for individuals and married couples. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify for SSI benefits.

SSI payments are reduced by income

SSI payments are reduced by income if a beneficiary earns more than $20 per month. To calculate how much income a beneficiary has to earn, the federal government divides their total monthly income by two, reducing their SSI benefits by $1 per dollar earned. Earned income above this threshold must be reduced by 50 cents per dollar. In the case of a senior citizen, this threshold is usually much lower, and it is higher for children.

While there are a few ways that an individual can reduce their SSI payments, the best way is to first understand the calculation of income. SSI counts most types of income, including wages and other sources of income. It also counts certain types of income that are not usually counted. For example, free food and shelter are countable. But the government also excludes certain types of income, including tax credits and federal food assistance.