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Social Security

SSA Publication No. 05-11146

January 1997

(Recycle prior editions)

SSI In New York

People in financial need who are 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:

A U.S. citizen or national;

Lawful permanent resident with 40 work credits;

Certain noncitizens with a military service connection, and their spouses or unmarried dependent children; or

Certain refugees, asylees or individuals whose deportation has been withheld may be eligible for five years

after the date their immigration status was granted.

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 state share of the payments in the federal

check. Therefore, SSI recipients receive one U.S. government check during the first week of each month with

federal and state money included.

The back of this factsheet has a table showing the 1997 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 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.
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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

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 about Social Security coverage 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.

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 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
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Individual living alone $570.00

Individual living with others but paying

his/her own expenses

507.00

Individual living in household of others and

receiving support and maintenance

345.67

Individual living in public general hospital

or long-term facility (Medicaid-approved)

35.00

Couple living alone 828.50

Couple living with others but paying

their own expenses

771.00

Couple living in the household of others and

receiving support and maintenance

529.00