File 05-11069.TXT

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05-11069
January 1992
ICN 480390

Booklet title: You May Be Able To Get SSI

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET SSI 
 
What Is SSI? 
 
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. It's a program run 
by Social Security. It pays monthly checks to the elderly, the 
blind, and people with disabilities who don't own many things or 
have much income. 
 
If you get SSI, you usually can get food stamps and Medicaid, 
too.  Medicaid helps pay doctor and hospital bills. 
 
To get SSI, you must be elderly or blind or have a disability. 

* Elderly means you are 65 or older. 

* Blind means you are either totally blind or have very poor eyesight.
  Children, as well as adults, can get benefits because of blindness. 

* A disability means you have a physical or mental problem that is  
expected to last at least a year or result in death. Children, as  
well as adults, can get benefits because of disability.
 
HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET FROM SSI?

The basic monthly SSI check is the same in all States. It is:

* $422 for one person 
 
* $633 for a couple 
 
Not everyone gets this exact amount, however.  You may get more if you
live in a State that adds to the SSI check.  Or you may get less if you
or your family have other money coming in each month.

THINGS YOU OWN AND INCOME YOU HAVE

To get SSI, the things you own and income you have must be below
certain amounts.

THINGS YOU OWN

We don't count everything you own when deciding if you can get SSI. 
For example, we don't count your home and some of your personal
belongings.  Usually, we don't count your car.  We do count cash, bank
accounts, stocks, and bonds.  

You may be able to get SSI if the things we count are no more than:

* $2,000 for one person

* $3,000 for a couple

INCOME YOU HAVE

Income is the money you have coming in such as earnings, Social
Security checks, and pensions.  Non-cash items you receive such as
food, clothing, or shelter also count as income.

The amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI depends
on where you live.  In some States you can have more income than in
others.

IF YOU DON'T WORK

No matter where you live, you may be able to get SSI if you don't work
and your monthly income is less than:

* $442 for one person

* $653 for a couple

IF YOU WORK

IF you work, you can have more income each month.  If all of your
income is from working, you may be able to get SSI if you make less
than:

* $929 a month for one person

* 1,351 a month for a couple
 
Remember: We don't count all your income so you may be able to 
get SSI even if you have more income, especially if you live in a 
State that adds money to the SSI checks. 
 
OTHER RULES YOU SHOULD KNOW
 
Before you can get SSI checks, you also must: 

* Live in the U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands and
 
* Be a U.S. citizen or be in the U.S. legally. 
 
HOW YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR SSI? 
 
It's easy.  Just visit your local Social Security office. Or call 
us at 1-800-772-1213 for an appointment with a Social Security 
representative who will help you sign up. 
 
The Social Security Administration treats all calls 
confidentially--whether they're made to our toll-free number or 
to one of our local of offices.  We also want to ensure that you 
receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a 
second Social Security representative listen to some incoming and 
outgoing telephone calls. 
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Social Security Administration 
SSA Publication No. 05-11069 
January 1992 
ICN 480390 

U.S. Government Printing Office 1992: 312-190/40040