The financial struggles caused by being unable to work because of a disability can be overwhelming. The Supplemental Security Income program administered by the Social Security Administration provides a monthly cash payment for food, shelter, and other necessities.
SSI disability benefits can make life easier for adults and children with disabilities. Many states make Medicaid benefits available for people who qualify for SSI benefits.
This article explains the program’s eligibility requirements and shows what you can expect to receive in SSI disability benefits if your application is approved. If you have questions, a disability advocate at Disability Experts of Florida can answer them and help you apply for disability benefits.
Qualifying For SSI Disability Benefits
SSI is a need-based program created to help children and adults with no income or low income afford to pay for food and shelter. The resources available to someone applying for SSI benefits cannot exceed $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples where both parties qualify for disability benefits.
The other eligibility requirement for the SSI program is that adults and children be blind or disabled. However, adults who are at least 65 years of age can qualify for benefits without a disability or blindness, provided they meet the financial limitations for income and resources.
Meeting The Disability Standard To Qualify For SSI
Adults seeking SSI benefits based on a disability must meet the definition used by the Social Security Administration. You must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of a medically determination physical or mental health impairment expected to last for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
A different standard exists for children applying for SSI disability benefits. A child must have a medically determinable physical or mental health impairment or combination of impairments resulting in marked and severe functional limitations. The impairment or combination of impairments must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
Proving that an applicant for SSI has a disability meeting the standard used by the Social Security Administration requires medical records is not easy. A disability advocate understands the regulations and what is needed to support an application for SSI disability benefits.
How Much Can You Receive In SSI Disability?
In 2024, the maximum federal benefit individuals can receive from SSI is $943 per month, and eligible couples can receive $1,415 monthly. Many states make supplemental payments to residents who qualify for SSI benefits so that you could receive more each month than just the federal benefit.
The following states do not supplement the federal SSI benefit:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
Some states administer supplemental payments themselves, while others leave it to the Social Security Administration. A disability advocate at Disability Experts of Florida can determine how your state handles supplemental payments and help you apply for them.
If you have income from other sources, your monthly federal benefit may be less than the $943 maximum for individuals and $1,415 for couples. Income earned from working part-time may count toward reducing your monthly SSI benefits. However, SSI allows you to exclude some of your monthly income.
Here is an example of how income exclusions work for someone earning $675 during the month at a part-time job:
- The first $65 of income earned during a month may be excluded to reduce the earnings to $610.
- Federal regulations allow a person to exclude the first $20 of unearned income. Unearned income includes interest, dividends, cash from friends and relatives, and other benefits from Social Security, such as SSDI benefits. The $20 exclusion may reduce earned income if a person does not have unearned income, so the $610 in earnings now becomes $590.
- The last exclusion is one-half of earned income after applying the $65 and $20 exclusions, which results in countable income of $295.
If you are eligible for a monthly federal payment of $943, it will be reduced by the countable earned income of $295. Your monthly federal benefit becomes $648.
Let A Disability Advocate Help You Get The SSI Benefits You Deserve
When a disabling medical condition creates financial challenges, it’s essential to work with a disability professional to ensure you get all of the disability benefits you are eligible to receive. The disability advocates at Disability Experts of Florida put their years of experience and in-depth knowledge of Social Security law and regulations to work putting together a strong, evidence-supported application for disability benefits.
Learn more about how Disability Experts of Florida can make a difference for you by scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation and claim assessment with one of our disability advocates. Working with a disability expert is the best way to ensure your disability claim receives the care and attention it deserves.