A Desktop Guide To SSI Eligibility Requirements

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that makes monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources if they are 65 or older or if they are blinSSI means you receive a monthly benefit and, depending on the state where you live, the following benefits and services:

The following chart describes the basic eligibility requirements for SSI. The back of this chart provides additional information about benefits provided by the states. If you know 

a Social Security office right away.

• Medicaid • food stamps• Medicare premiums are paid (all states) • other social servicesRequirement Definition Exceptions/Exclusions65 or older, blind or disabled BlindDisabled

Meet only one of these:

• corrected vision of 20/200 or less in better eye• field of vision less than 20 degrees• physical or mental impairment that keeps a person from 

performing any “substantial” work and is expected to last 12 months or result in death

• a child’s impairment must result in “marked and severe 

functional limitations” and must be expected to last 12 months or result in death.

Person whose visual impairment is not severe enough to be cblind disability rules: • a job that pays $700 per month ($1,170 if blind

work 

• special work incentives allow some income an

mit payment of special cash benefits or continwhen a blind or disabled person is working

Limited incomea

a. If only one member of a couple is eligible, the income and resources of both are considered in determining eligibility. If a child under age 18 is living with pa

are considered. 

Countable income must be:• below $512 a month for single adult or child• below $769 a month for couple (In states that pay SSI supplements, countable income can be higher; see list on back.) 

Not all income counts. Some exclusions are: 

• $20 per month of most income• $65 per month of wages and one-half of wage• food stamps • home energy/housing assistance

Limited resources*(Property and other assets a person owns) • $2,000 for single adult or child 

• $3,000 for couple (limit applies even if only one member is 

eligible)

Not all resources count. Some exclusions are:• the home a person lives in• a car, depending on use or value• burial plots for individual and immediate fam• burial funds up to $1,500• life insurance with face value of $1,500 or less

Citizenship/residenceb

b. If a noncitizen has a sponsor who signed a legally unenforceable affidavit of support (INS Form I-134), the sponsor’s income and resources are 

considered in determining eligibility and payment amount for three years following the date of lawful admission. (This rule does not apply to 

noncitizens who become blind or disabled after legal admission for permanent residence or to noncitizens who are not lawful permanent residents.)If the sponsor signed the new legally enforceable affidavit of support (INS Form I-864), the sponsor’s income and resources are considered until the noncitizen acquires 40 work credits or becomes a citizen. (This rule applies to noncitizens who become blind or disabled after admission for 

permanent residence and to noncitizens who are not lawful permanent residents.) 

• resides in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or the 

Northern Mariana Islands; and

• U.S. citizen or national; or

certain American Indians; or

• lawful permanent resident with 40 work credits; or • certain noncitizens with a military service connection; or• certain refugee or asylee-type noncitizens during the first 

seven years; or

certain noncitizens in the U.S. or receiving SSI on August 22, 1996.

Exception to residence: • certain children of U.S. armed forces personn
SSI State Supplements

States With State-Administered Supplements—States in this category provide and administer supplemental payments to certain categories of SSI recipients. Application for the s

the state agency.State Medicaid IAR (4) State Medicaid Alabama 1 N Missouri 3 Alaska 2 Y Nebraska 2 Arizona 1 Y New Hampshire 3 Colorado 1 Y New Mexico 1 Connecticut 3 Y North Carolina 1 Florida 1 Y North Dakota 3 Idaho 2 N Ohio 3 Illinois 3 Y Oklahoma 3 Indiana 3 Y Oregon 2 Kentucky 1 Y South Carolina 1 Louisiana 1 N South Dakota 1 Maine 1 Y Virginia 3 Maryland 1 Y Wisconsin 1 Minnesota 3 Y Wyoming 1 States With No Supplement—States in this category do not supplement federal SSI payments.Arkansas 1 N N. Mariana Islands 2 Georgia 1 Y Tennessee 1 Kansas 2 Y Texas 1 Mississippi 1 N West Virginia 1 States With Federally Administered Supplements—States in this category provide supplemental payments which are paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI applsupplement. Rates vary based on particular living arrangements. Figures provided are maximum limits for an individual/couple and are for use as general guidelines in determinincongregate living facilities, which may have higher payment rates. Countable income is subtracted to determine SSI payment amount. SSA will make final eligibility and paymenState Medicaid IAR Maximum Payment Amount To Individual/Couple—Effectiv

Elderly Blind 

California 1 Y $692/$1,229 $749/$1,424 Delaware* 1 N $652/$1,217 $652/$1,217 Hawaii 3 Y $516.90/$777.80 $516.90/$777.80 Iowa 1 Y $512/$769 $534/$813 Massachusetts 1 Y $640.82/$970.72 $661.74/$1,323.48 Michigan 1 Y $512/$769 $512/$769 Montana* 1 Y $512/$769 $512/$769 Nevada 2 Y $548.40/$843.46 $621.30/$1,143.60 New Jersey 1 Y $543.25/$794.36 $543.25/$794.36 New York 1 Y $599/$873 $599/$873 Pennsylvania 1 Y $539.40/$812.70 $539.40/$812.70 Rhode Island 1 Y $576.35/$889.50 $576.35/$889.50 Utah 2 Y $512/$773.60 $512/$773.60 Vermont 1 Y $569.66/$877.28 $569.66/$877.28 Washington** 1 Y $539/$790 $539/$790 Washington D.C. 1 N $512/$769 $512/$769 *Supplements available only to persons in protective care arrangements.**State has two geographical areas. Sums shown in table are for geographical area receiving highest payment amounts.1—Generally, SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid. 4—IAR (Interim Assistance Reimbursement Agreement) Cod

Y=State provides assistance while SSI application is pendingN=State may or may not provide assistance; no active IAR ag

2—Generally, SSI recipients are eligible for Medicaid but must apply separately with state. 3—State takes Medicaid application and determines eligibility using more restrictive criteria.