Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 

In New York 2007 

What is SSI? 

SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is 

a federal program that provides monthly 

cash payments to people in need. SSI is for 

people who are 65 or older, as well as for 

blind or disabled people of any age, including children. 

To qualify you also must have little or 

no income and few resources. This means 

that the value of the things you own must 

be less than $2,000 if you are single or less 

than $3,000 if you are married. The value 

of your home does not count. Usually, the 

value of your car does not count. And the 

value of certain other resources, such as a 

burial plot, may not count either. 

To get SSI, you also must apply for any 

other cash benefits you may be able to get. 

You must live in the United States or the 

Northern Mariana Islands to get SSI. If you 

are not a U.S. citizen, but you are a resident, 

you still may be able to get SSI. For more 

information, ask for a copy of Supplemental 

Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens 

(Publication No. 05-11051). 

The state of New York adds money to 

the federal payment. The single payment 

you get in the beginning of each month 

includes both the federal SSI payment and 

your supplement from New York. 

Medical assistance 

If you get SSI, you can get medical assistance (Medicaid) automatically. You will 

receive a separate letter of acceptance and 

Medicaid ID card from the state of New York. 

If you have questions about Medicaid, contact your local department of social services. 

Food stamps 

If you get SSI, you may be able to get food 

stamps. Food stamps can help you buy more 

food without spending more money. However, 

Social Security does not decide if you can get 

food stamps. If you live in a household where 

everyone is applying for or getting SSI, you 

can apply for food stamps at a Social Security 

office. If not, you must apply at your local 

department of social services. 

Other social services 

Other services you may be able to get 


through your local department of social 


services:


•	 Homemaker and housekeeper services; 

•	 Personal care; 

•	 Money management; and 

•	 Assistance in making living arrangements 

in group residences or family-type homes. 

For more information, contact your local 

department of social services. 

(over) 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) In New York 
Monthly SSI payment amounts 

The amounts include both federal and state payments combined. Not all SSI recipients 

receive the maximum amount. Your payment may be lower if you have other income. 

Category 2007 total monthly payment 

Person living alone $710.00 

Person living with others, but paying his or her own expenses $646.00 

Person living in someone else’s household and receiving support 

and maintenance $438.34 

Person living in a public general hospital or Medicaid-approved 

long-term facility $55.00 or $35.00* 

Couple living alone $1,038.00 

Couple living with others, but paying their own expenses $980.00 

Couple living in someone else’s household and receiving support 

and maintenance $668.67 

* Social Security sends recipients a $30 federal SSI benefit and New York State sends recipients an additional $25 

State Supplemental Personal Needs Allowance (SSPNA) when they reside in a nursing home or a $5 SSPNA when 

they reside in any other kind of medical facility. 

Contacting Social Security 

For more information and to find copies of our publications, visit our website at 

www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, 

call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 

7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can provide information by automated phone service 

24 hours a day. 

We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and 

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

some telephone calls. 

Social Security Administration 

SSA Publication No. 05-11146 

January 2007 (Destroy prior editions)