Supplemental Security Income (SSI) In New York

(over)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

In New York 2009

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 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.
 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 2009 total monthly payment

Person living alone $761.00

Person living with others, but paying his or her own expenses $697.00

Person living in someone else’s household and receiving support 

and maintenance $472.34

Person living in a public general hospital or Medicaid-approved 

long-term facility $55.00 or $35.00*

Couple living alone $1,115.00

Couple living with others, but paying their own expenses $1,057.00

Couple living in someone else’s household and receiving support 

and maintenance $720.00

* 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 treat all calls confidentially. 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 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 2009 (Destroy prior editions)