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Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-11146

March 1998 

(Recycle prior editions)

SSI In New York

People in financial need who are age 65 or older or people of any age who are blind or have a

disability (including children) may be eligible for monthly cash payments from the federal

government. The payments are called Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

You may be eligible for SSI payments if you have little or no income, and if the value of the

things you own is less than $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. We do not

count the value of your home or your car (if it is not an expensive model). Certain other assets

may not count either. Call Social Security for more information.

In addition to meeting the income limits, you must live in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana

Islands and be in one of the following groups:

U.S. citizens or nationals;

certain American Indians;

lawful permanent residents with 40 work credits;

certain noncitizens with a military service connection, and their spouses or unmarried

dependent children;

certain noncitizens lawfully residing in the U.S. who are blind or disabled, or who were

receiving SSI on August 22, 1996; or

certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban/Haitian entrants, refugees, asylees or individuals

whose deportation or removal has been withheld may be eligible seven years after the date

their immigration status was granted.

For more information about noncitizen eligibility requirements, ask for the factsheet,

Supplemental Security Income for Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051).

Also, you must apply for any other money benefits for which you may be eligible.

Even though the Social Security Administration runs the program, SSI is not the same as Social

Security. Money for SSI payments comes from the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.

The state of New York adds money to the federal payment. For the convenience of SSI

recipients, the state of New York and the federal government have agreed to include the amount

in the federal payment. Therefore, SSI recipients receive one U.S. government payment during

the first week of each month with federal and state money included.

The back of this factsheet has a table showing the 1998 maximum monthly payment amounts for

SSI recipients in different living arrangements.

Medical Assistance

If you receive SSI payments, you usually get medical assistance (Medicaid) automatically. A

separate Medicaid application isn't necessary. In New York state, the Medicaid program is
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administered by local departments of social services. A letter of acceptance and a Medicaid

Identification Card will be sent to anyone eligible for SSI.

If you have transferred resources, you may not be eligible for all care and services available

under the medical assistance program. If your SSI is denied, you should file for Medicaid with

the Department of Social Services.

Food Stamps

When you receive SSI, you also may be eligible for food stamps. Food stamps can help you buy

more food without spending more money. Social Security doesn't decide if you can get food

stamps. However, people who live in a household where everyone is applying for or receiving SSI

may apply for food stamps at a Social Security office.

Other Financial Assistance

SSI recipients may be eligible for other financial assistance in New York state. This includes

Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA), which is a state program set up to help SSI recipients

who have an emergency such as a utility shut off, or a lost, stolen or unreceived SSI check. You

should contact the local department of social services for more information about these benefits.

Other Social Services

Additional social services are available to SSI recipients in New York state through local

departments of social services. These include:

homemaker and housekeeper services;

personal care;

money management; or

assistance in making living arrangements in group residences or family-type homes.

For more information on these and other social services, contact your local department of social

services.

SSI Payments

The amounts shown below include both federal and state money. Not all SSI recipients receive

the maximum payment amounts. Payments may be lower if you have other income. Your Social

Security office can give you more information about payment levels and how income affects

them.

For More Information

You can get recorded information 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, by calling

Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a service representative

between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Our lines are busiest early in the week

and early in the month so, if your business can wait, it's best to call at other times. Whenever you

call, have your Social Security number handy.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778,

between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.
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You also can reach us on the Internet. Type http://www.ssa.gov to access Social Security

information.

The people at Social Security can tell you what information you need to apply for SSI. Parents

and guardians can apply on behalf of children under age 18 who are blind or have a disability.

The Social Security Administration treats all calls confidentially--whether they're made to our

toll-free numbers or to one of our local offices. We also want to ensure that you receive accurate

and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor

some incoming and outgoing telephone calls.

Category Total SSI Payment

Individual living alone $580.00

Individual living with others but paying

his/her own expenses

517.00

Individual living in household of others and

receiving support and maintenance

352.34

Individual living in public general hospital

or long-term facility (Medicaid-approved)

35.00

Couple living alone 843.50

Couple living with others but paying

their own expenses

786.00

Couple living in the household of others and

receiving support and maintenance

539.00