Annual Report 

of the

Supplemental

 Security

 Income Program

Social Security Administration

2010
.
SOCIAL SECURITY

The Commissioner

August 19, 2010

President Barack H. Obama

The White House

Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the Senate

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President, Madam Speaker, and Mr. Biden: 

It is my pleasure to submit to you the 2010 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income

Program (the fourteenth such report), in compliance with section 231 of the Personal

Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Astrue

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BALTIMORE MD 21235-0001
.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193)

directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report annually to the President and to the Congress on

the status of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. A required element of these reports is to

provide projections of program recipients and costs through at least 25 years. This report is the fourteenth

of such reports, and following are its major highlights and findings. 

Highlights of the SSI Program

 • The SSI program is a nationwide Federal assistance program administered by SSA that guarantees a

minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. It acts as a safety net for

individuals who have limited resources and little or no Social Security or other income.

 • In January 2010, 7.5 million individuals

received monthly Federal SSI payments averaging $476, up from 7.2 million recipients

with an average payment of $474 in January

2009.

 • Federal expenditures for cash payments under

the SSI program during calendar year 2009

increased 9.2 percent to $45.9 billion, while

the funds made available to administer the SSI

program in fiscal year 2009 increased 17.4

percent to $3.4 billion. In 2008 the corresponding program and administrative expenditures

were $42 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively.

Major Findings of the Report

 • By 2034, the end of the 25-year projection

period, the Federal SSI recipient population is

estimated to reach 9.9 million. The projected

growth in the SSI program over the 25-year

period is largely due to the overall growth in the U.S. population, although the current economic

recession is expected to temporarily generate additional growth beyond what might be expected from

historical trends. The percentage of the population receiving SSI is projected to vary somewhat by age

group, with the percentage for those age 65 or older projected to decline and the percentage for those

under 65 projected to increase slightly.

 • Expressed as a percentage of the total U.S. population, the number of Federal SSI recipients increased

slightly from 2.32 percent in 2008 to 2.36 percent in 2009 and is projected to increase gradually to

2.59 percent of the population by 2034 due largely to the changing age distribution of the population.

 • Federal expenditures for SSI payments in calendar year 2010 are estimated to increase by $2.1 billion

to $48 billion, an increase of 4.5 percent from 2009 levels.

 • In constant 2010 dollars, Federal expenditures for SSI payments are projected to increase to $59.9 billion in 2034, a real increase of 1 percent per year.

 • Federal SSI expenditures expressed as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were 0.291

percent of GDP in 2008. Due to the economic recession, expenditures as a percentage of GDP

increased to 0.322 in 2009, and are projected to increase slightly to 0.325 percent of GDP in 2010, but

decline thereafter to 0.247 percent of GDP by 2034.

Aged

10.5%

Disabled

under 18

18.9%

Disabled

18-64

62.4%

Disabled 65

or older

8.2%

SSI Federal Payments, Calendar Year 2009

$45.9 billion

(VII)

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

II. HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A. RECENT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

B. SSI LEGISLATION SINCE THE 2009 ANNUAL REPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

C. CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE SSI PROGRAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

D. KEY RESULTS FROM THE 25-YEAR PROJECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

III. THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

A. BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

B. THE BASIC PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

C. UNIFORM STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVE CRITERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

D. ASSISTANCE OF LAST RESORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1. Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2. Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3. Filing for Other Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4. Eligibility Issues for Residents of Public Institutions or Medical Treatment Facilities. . . . 11

5. Personal Needs Allowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6. Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

a. Spouse-to-Spouse Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

b. Parent-to-Child Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

c. Sponsor-to-Alien Deeming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION . . . . . . . . . 13

1. Earned Income Exclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2. Impairment-Related Work Expense Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3. Work Expenses of the Blind Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4. Student Earned Income Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5. Plan to Achieve Self-Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6. Special Provisions for Disabled Recipients Who Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

8. Expedited Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

F. ADMINISTRATION OF THE SSI PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1. Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2. Determination of Eligibility for Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3. Payment of Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4. Ensuring Continued Eligibility for Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

5. Representative Payees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

6. Appeal Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7. Fees for Attorneys and Non-attorney Representatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8. Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

a. Emergency Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

b. Presumptive Disability or Blindness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

G. STATE SUPPLEMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

1. Optional State Supplementary Payment Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2. Mandatory State Supplementary Payment Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3. Administration of State Supplementary Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

4. Passalong Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
(VIII)

H. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

1. Windfall Offset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2. Medicaid Determinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3. Food Stamp Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4. Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

IV. ESTIMATES OF PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM, 2010-34 . . . . . . . . . 25

A. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

B. NUMBERS OF SSI PROGRAM RECIPIENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

C. FEDERAL PAYMENTS UNDER SSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

D. FEDERAL SSI PAYMENTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT . . 49

E. THE SSI PROGRAM’S SHARE OF SSA’S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS 

AND BENEFICIARY SERVICES COSTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

V. APPENDICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

A. HISTORY OF PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

2. Other Eligibility Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

a. Citizenship and U.S. Residency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

b. Other Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

c. Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DA&A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

d. Institutionalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

e. Vocational Rehabilitation and Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

f. Continuing Disability Reviews and Eligibility Redeterminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

g. Deeming of Income and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

3. Federal Benefit Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

a. Windfall Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

b. Proration of Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

c. Retrospective Monthly Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

d. Uncashed Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

e. Rounding of Payment Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

f. Penalties for False or Misleading Statements or Withholding of Information. . . . . . . . . 63

g. Installment Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

h. Retroactive Payments to Prisoners, Fugitive Felons, and Probation or Parole Violators 64

4. Federal Benefit Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

5. Exclusions from Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

a. General Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

b. Special Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

6. Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

a. General Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

b. Special Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

c. Transfer-of-Resources Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

7. Presumptive and Emergency Payments and Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . 73

a. Presumptive Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

b. Emergency Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

c. Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

8. Medicaid Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

9. State Supplementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

10. Overpayment Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

11. Attorney Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
(IX)

B. INCOME AND RESOURCE EXCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

1. Earned Income Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

2. Unearned Income Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

3. Resource Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

C. HISTORICAL ALLOWANCE DATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

1. Technical Notes on the Disability Research File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

2. General Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

D. HISTORICAL REDETERMINATION AND CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW DATA 91

1. Redeterminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

2. Continuing Disability Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION . . . . . . . . . 100

1. Work Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

a. Numbers of Participants in Work Incentive Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

b. Average Earnings of Participants in Work Incentive Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

2. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

F. INVOLVEMENT OF SSI RECIPIENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

G. RESEARCH ON RELATED TOPICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

1. Ongoing Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

a. SSI Policy Simulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

b. National Survey of SSI Children and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

c. Analytic Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

d. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

e. Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

f. Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

g. Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

h. TANF/SSI Disability Transition Project (TSDTP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

2. Bibliography of Recent Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

H. GLOSSARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD

(XI)

TABLES

III.H1 SSI State Supplementation and Coordination with Other Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

IV.A1 Historical and Projected Social Security Area Population based on the 

Intermediate Assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report, as of July 1, 1974-2034. . . . 26

IV.A2 SSI Federal Benefit Rate Increases and Levels: Historical and Projected on the Basis of

the Intermediate Assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report, 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . 27

IV.B1 SSI Federally-Administered Applications, Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

IV.B2 SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients, Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

IV.B3 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Death, Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . . . 34

IV.B4 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Reasons Other Than Death,

Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

IV.B5 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations for All Reasons, Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . 36

IV.B6 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034 37

IV.B7 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as a Percentage of 

Selected Social Security Area Population Totals, as of December, 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

IV.B8 SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementary Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

IV.B9 SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered Benefits in Current-Payment Status 

as of December, 1974-2034. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

IV.C1 SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

IV.C2 SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Fiscal Years 1978-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

IV.C3 SSI Federal Payments in Constant 2010 Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

IV.C4 SSI Federally-Administered State Supplementary Payments in Current Dollars,

Calendar Years 1974-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

IV.D1 SSI Federal Payments as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1974-2034. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

IV.E1 Selected SSI Costs, Fiscal Years 1978-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

V.A1 Federal Benefit Rates Set by Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

V.C1 Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing and Level of Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

V.C2 Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing and Level of Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

V.D1 SSI Redeterminations and Limited Issues Completed, Fiscal Years 1986-2009. . . . . . . . . . . . 91

V.D2 SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal 

Year of Initial Decision and Level of Decision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

V.D3 SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by

Fiscal Year of Initial Decision and Level of Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
(XII)

V.E1 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients as

of December, 1987-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

V.E2 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Individuals with SSI Recipient

Status Participating in Other Work Incentives as of December, 1990-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

V.E3 Average Monthly Earnings of SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working

Recipients, as of December, 1987-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

V.E4 Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement Claims Allowed, Fiscal Years 1987-2009 . . . . . . . 106

V.E5 Employment Network Payments Allowed, Fiscal Years 2002-09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

V.F1 Percentage of SSI Federally-Administered Recipients in Current-Payment Status with 

Participation in Selected Programs Based on SSA Administrative Records,

December, 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
(XIII)

FIGURES

IV.B1 SSI Federally-Administered Applications by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035 . . . . . . 31

IV.B2 SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035 . . . . 33

IV.B3 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035 . . . . . . 37

IV.B4 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status, by Age Group, 

as of December, 1975-2035. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

IV.B5 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as a Percentage of 

Selected Social Security Area Population Age Groups, as of December, 1975-2035 . . . . . . . 41

IV.C1 SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, in Constant 2010 Dollars, Calendar Years 1975-2035 46

IV.D1 SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1975-2035. . 49

V.E1 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients 

as of December, 1987-2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
.
1

I. INTRODUCTION

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was established by Congress in 1972, with payments

beginning in January 1974. It is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI replaced

the former Federal-State programs of Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Permanently

and Totally Disabled in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Residents of the Northern Mariana

Islands became eligible for SSI in January 1978.

Under the SSI program, each eligible person living in his/her own household and having no other countable income is provided in 2010 a monthly Federal cash payment of $674 ($1,011 for a couple if both

members are eligible). Since 1975, these Federal SSI benefit rates have been increased by applying the

same cost-of-living adjustment that has been applied to benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.1 In addition to setting a Federal benefit standard, the legislation

establishing SSI also permitted individual States to supplement the Federal payment with an additional

monthly amount. As described in section III, these State supplementary payments can be either voluntary

at the option of the individual States or, in certain cases, mandatory under requirements in effect when the

SSI program began.

Under section 231 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, SSA

is required to submit a report on the SSI program to the President and Congress no later than May 30 of

each year.2 This is the fourteenth annual report on the SSI program. The legislative mandate requires that

the report include:

 • A comprehensive description of the SSI program;

 • Historical and current data relating to: (1) claims intake and dispositions at all levels of decision making; (2) demographic information about recipients, including program cost and prior enrollment in

other public benefit programs; (3) redeterminations, continuing disability reviews, and utilization of

work incentives; (4) administrative costs; and (5) State supplementation program operations; 

 • 25-year projections of future recipients and program costs; 

 • A historical summary of statutory changes to title XVI of the Social Security Act; and

 • Summaries of any relevant research on the SSI program by SSA or others.

In addition, the legislation specified that the report may include views of the SSI program by the Social

Security Advisory Board.

Much of the required information is the subject of extensive ongoing research. In responding to each of the

specific requests for information, every effort has been made to provide the best information available at

this time. SSA will continue to make improvements upon such information, in order to provide the President and Congress with the input necessary to effectively manage this important part of our society’s

social safety net.

 1 The Federal SSI benefit rates for 2010 are unchanged from 2009 because there was no cost-of-living increase for 2010.

 2 The 2010 Annual Report was delayed beyond the May 30th statutory reporting date so that the 25-year projections presented in Chapter IV could be developed as usual on a basis consistent with the 2010 OASDI and Medicare Trustees Reports. Release of the 2010 Trustees Reports was delayed so that the provisions of the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could be incorporated into the assumptions and projections presented in those

reports.
2010 SSI Annual Report

2

II. HIGHLIGHTS

The SSI program is a nationwide Federal assistance program administered by SSA that guarantees a minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. This section presents highlights of

recent SSI program experience, a summary of important changes to the program in the last year, a discussion of current issues facing the SSI program, and a summary of the key results from the 25-year projections.

A. RECENT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

SSI program experience during the past year included the following:

 • During calendar year 2009, 2.4 million individuals applied for SSI benefits based on blindness or disability, an increase of 15 percent over 2008. Additionally, 147 thousand applied for SSI benefits based

on age, which is basically unchanged from 2008. In 2009, 1 million applicants were awarded SSI benefits, an increase of 8 percent as compared to the 930 thousand awarded benefits in 2008.

 • Each month on average during calendar year 2009, 7.4 million individuals received Federal SSI benefits. This group was composed of 1.1 million aged recipients, 6.2 million disabled recipients, and 66

thousand blind recipients. Of the 6.3 million blind or disabled recipients, 1.2 million were under age

18, and 0.8 million were aged 65 or older. During the year, 8.3 million aged, blind, or disabled individuals received at least 1 month’s Federal SSI benefit.

 • Federal expenditures for payments under the SSI program in calendar year 2009 totaled $45.9 billion,

up from $42 billion in 2008.

 • Each month on average during calendar year 2009, 2.3 million individuals received Federally-administered State supplementary payments. This group was composed of 0.6 million aged recipients, 1.7

million disabled recipients, and fewer than 50 thousand blind recipients. During calendar year 2009,

2.6 million individuals received at least 1 month’s Federally-administered State supplementary payment.

 • State expenditures for Federally-administered supplements, excluding fees for Federal administration,

totaled $4.0 billion in calendar year 2009, down from $4.4 billion in 2008.

 • The percentage of SSI recipients participating in direct deposit reached 62 percent in fiscal year 2009.

SSI recipient participation in direct deposit has increased gradually in recent years after experiencing

a period of sharp growth when it more than doubled from 24 percent in 1995 to 49 percent in 2000. 

 • The cost of administering the SSI program in fiscal year 2009 was $3.4 billion, which was roughly

7 percent of total Federally-administered SSI expenditures.

 • In January 2010, 7.7 million individuals received Federally-administered monthly SSI benefits averaging $499. Of these, 7.5 million received monthly Federal SSI payments averaging $476, and

2.3 million received monthly State supplementation payments averaging $125.

B. SSI LEGISLATION SINCE THE 2009 ANNUAL REPORT

Since the 2009 SSI Annual Report was transmitted to the President and Congress on May 29, 2009, the

following legislative changes were made to the SSI program:
3

2010 SSI Annual Report

Public Law 111-115, enacted December 15, 2009

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive SSI benefits to individuals while they are in prison; in violation of

conditions of their parole or probation; or fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for a felony or a crime punishable by sentence of more than one year. These retroactive benefits will not be paid

until the beneficiary is no longer a prisoner, probation or parole violator, or fugitive felon.

Public Law 111-118, enacted December 19, 2009

Eliminates the 8-month time limit on SSI eligibility for certain Iraqi and Afghan refugees who have provided service to the United States. The time-limited eligibility for these individuals is now 7 years1, the

same period applicable to other humanitarian refugees.

Public Law 111-142, enacted February 27, 2010

Permanently extends the OASDI attorney fee withholding process to SSI. Permanently extends the Social

Security attorney fee withholding process to all non-attorney representatives who meet the following prerequisites: hold a bachelor’s degree or have equivalent qualifications, pass an examination written and

administered by the Commissioner, secure professional liability insurance or the equivalent, undergo a

criminal background check, and complete continuing education courses. Although the prior fee withholding demonstration project expired on February 28, 2010, the provisions of that law apply in claims for

benefits where the agreements for representation were entered into after February 27, 2005, and before

March 1, 2010.

C. CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE SSI PROGRAM

The SSI program remains a critical source of income for our nation’s aged, blind, and disabled, with more

than 7 million Americans relying on this assistance to meet their basic needs for food and shelter. The program, by definition, is for those with limited income and resources, including those who have been especially hard hit by the economic downturn. In an environment of increased unemployment, individuals have

been filing in record numbers for SSI benefits. While our employees continue to improve productivity, this

increased SSI workload presents an ongoing challenge to keep pace. 

Significant Increases in Claims

One especially prominent result of the recent recession has been the increase in applications for SSI disability benefits. To provide context for this increase, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, we plan to decide over 2.8

million initial SSI applications—this is over 138,000 more than we processed during FY 2009. 

To address this increase in claims, we are using technology and streamlined policy to make disability

determinations more quickly. For example, using our fast-track disability processes, Quick Disability

Determinations and Compassionate Allowances, in FY 2009 we decided SSI and Social Security Disability cases for about 100,000 applicants with the most debilitating impairments within about ten days after

the Disability Determination Services (DDSs) received their claims. With additional process refinements

and an expanded listing of impairments that would qualify for fast-track decisions, we hope to increase

that number to 140,000 for FY 2010 and 185,000 in FY 2011.

1 With the “SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act”, Public Law 110-328, the SSI eligibility period for certain refugees and humanitarian

immigrants was extended to 9 years during the 3-year period from October 2008 through September 2011 (those who have naturalization applications pending, or are awaiting the citizenship swearing-in ceremony are exempt from time limitations through September 30, 2011). Iraqi and Afghan refugees are

potentially eligible for this extension.
2010 SSI Annual Report

4

Another tool is provided through advances in electronic medical records. Health Information Technology

(Health IT) continues to revolutionize the disability determination process by eliminating the need to compile and transfer paper records. Once Health IT processes are fully implemented, doctors, hospitals, and

others in the healthcare field will be able to provide medical evidence within dramatically improved timeframes. We are currently taking the first steps towards this totally electronic system of requesting and

receiving medical records. With claimants' consents, we will have instantaneous access to medical records,

allowing us to make disability determinations more rapidly.

Payment Accuracy

Payment accuracy continues to be a significant issue facing the SSI program. We are committed to paying

the correct benefit to the right person, and we use several tools to accomplish this goal. Among these tools

are redeterminations, which review all the nonmedical criteria for eligibility, including verification of living arrangements and income levels. An additional tool is the continuing disability review (CDR), which

reviews all medical factors to ensure an individual remains disabled according to the rules we use. In FY

2009, we processed more than 1.7 million SSI redeterminations and more than 1.1 million CDRs. In FY

2010, we plan to conduct 2.4 million SSI redeterminations and almost 1 million CDRs. With full FY 2011

President’s Budget funding, we plan to conduct 2.4 million SSI redeterminations and over 1.3 million

CDRs in FY 2011.

In addition, SSA is currently conducting the Access to Financial Institutions (AFI) initiative to electronically identify individuals’ known and unknown bank accounts to determine initial eligibility and continuing eligibility for benefits. The program is currently operating in California, New York, and New Jersey.

We plan to expand the AFI program this year, and expect to realize SSI program cost savings of up to $100

million in FY 2011. Based on current agency estimates, the program could save up to $1 billion per year in

lifetime savings when nationally implemented. The President's FY 2011 budget includes $10 million for

AFI expansion.

As we are able to address program integrity workloads with increased funding, payment accuracy is on the

rise. Underpayment accuracy in the SSI program is consistently high. Overpayment accuracy, however,

with its substantial reliance on beneficiary reporting, has been a consistent challenge. For example, in

2008 the SSI overpayment accuracy rate was 89.7 percent, the lowest rate since the early days of the program. 

To address this decline, we increased the volume of redeterminations of eligibility we conducted in FY

2009. As a result, the overpayment accuracy for 2009 has risen to 91.6 percent—a statistically significant

improvement over the 2008 rate. This increased accuracy is encouraging news and demonstrates the value

of additional funding for SSI redeterminations.

Challenges in Field Office Staffing

We are also experiencing a retirement wave within the agency, and as experienced employees retire, a

diminished workforce remains to handle increased agency workloads. However, with the additional funding provided by the President and Congress, we have begun to aggressively address the replacement of

retiring employees. With last year's appropriation and Recovery Act funding, we maximized overtime

nationwide and hired about 8,600 new employees. It was our largest hiring effort since the creation of the

SSI program over thirty-five years ago. With the boosted hiring efforts of the past year, staffing now

stands at approximately 65,000.

As a part of this hiring wave, 2,400 people were provided for the field in FY 2009—a net increase in field

office staff of about 1,000 employees. With our FY 2010 appropriation, we continue to add about 1,300

new employees, and 1,400 people in the State disability determination services (DDSs). In April we allo-
5

2010 SSI Annual Report

cated an additional 900 frontline staff, placing most of them in our 200 most stressed field offices. Many

of these offices had a very high percentage of SSI workloads.

Conclusion

The SSI program continues to serve as a vital safety net to millions of Americans. It is one of the most

relied upon programs for those in greatest need. Based on the crucial importance of the program, effective

stewardship and administration demand our constant vigilance. Our SSI workloads will continue to grow

over the long term, and we will be continuously tested to find new ways of streamlining a means-tested

program that is inherently complex. To address this challenge, we will rely upon technological improvements, program integrity measures, and policy simplification to maintain our commitment to assisting

some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

D. KEY RESULTS FROM THE 25-YEAR PROJECTIONS

The major findings in the 25-year projections prepared for this report are summarized below:

 • Following small declines in the SSI recipient population in the late 1990s due to the combined impact

of Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193, modest growth in the SSI rolls resumed in 2000, and

is expected to continue throughout the projection period largely due to the growth in the U.S. population, although the current economic recession is expected to temporarily generate additional growth

beyond what might be expected from recent historical trends. By 2034, the Federal SSI recipient population is estimated to reach 9.9 million. Expressed as a percentage of the total U.S. population, the

number of Federal SSI recipients is projected to increase slightly from 2.36 percent of the population

in 2009 to 2.59 percent by 2034 due largely to the changing age distribution of the population. 

 • Federal expenditures for SSI payments in calendar year 2010 are estimated to increase by $2.1 billion

to $48.0 billion, an increase of 4.5 percent from 2009 levels. In constant 2010 dollars, SSI program

outlays are projected to increase to $59.9 billion in 2034, a real increase of 1.0 percent per year. 

 • Federal SSI expenditures were 0.291 percent of GDP in 2008. Due to the economic recession, such

expenditures increased to 0.322 percent of GDP in 2009, and are projected to increase slightly to

0.325 percent of GDP in 2010, but decline thereafter to 0.247 percent of GDP by 2034.
2010 SSI Annual Report

6

III. THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM 

This section presents a brief history and comprehensive description of the SSI program. This section also

includes information on the administration of the program and coordination with other programs.

A. BACKGROUND

Federal entitlement programs for the aged, blind, or disabled have their roots in the original Social Security Act of 1935. That Act established an old-age social insurance program to be administered by the Federal Government and an old-age means-tested assistance program to be administered by the States. Similar

programs for the blind or disabled were added to the Act in later years. Means-tested assistance provided a

safety net for individuals who were either ineligible for Social Security or whose benefits could not provide a basic level of income.

This means-tested assistance comprised three separate programs—Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind,

and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled. Despite substantial Federal financing, these programs

were essentially State programs. Federal law established only broad guidelines for assistance. The Federal

Government provided matching funds to support whatever payment levels the States established, with no

maximum or minimum standards. Consequently, each State was responsible for setting its own standards

for determining who would get assistance and how much they would receive.

Beginning in the early 1960s, this State-operated, Federally-assisted welfare system drew criticism that

was directed at the “crazy quilt” eligibility requirements and payment levels. Other criticism centered on

specific requirements, such as lien laws and provisions that required certain relatives to bear responsibility

for the maintenance of needy family members.

Responding to these concerns, Congress passed and the President approved the SSI program in 1972,

reversing the Federal and State roles with regard to adult assistance. Under the new arrangement, SSI

would provide a uniform Federal income floor while optional State programs supplemented that floor. The

new program was historic in that it shifted from the States to the Federal Government the responsibility for

determining who would receive assistance and how much assistance they would receive. 

B. THE BASIC PLAN

The main objective of the SSI program is to provide the basic financial support of needy aged, blind, or

disabled individuals. Congress designed the SSI program based on the following principles:

 • Eligibility requirements and benefit standards that are nationally uniform and eligibility determinations based on objective criteria;

 • An assistance source of last resort for the aged, blind, or disabled whose income and resources are

below specified levels;

 • Incentives and opportunities for those recipients able to work or to be rehabilitated that would enable

them to reduce their dependency on public assistance;

 • An efficient and economical method of providing assistance;

 • Inducements to encourage States to provide supplementation of the basic Federal benefit and protection for former recipients of State adult assistance programs who were converted to the SSI program;

and
7

2010 SSI Annual Report

 • Appropriate coordination of the SSI program with the food stamp, medical assistance, and other programs.1

C. UNIFORM STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVE CRITERIA

Prior to the SSI program, the eligibility of aged, blind, or disabled individuals for Federally-funded adult

assistance depended on the State in which they lived. Benefit amounts varied from State to State. The SSI

program replaced the State-run programs with a national program with uniform standards and objective

eligibility criteria. These standards include:

 • A uniform limitation on the dollar amount or value of income and resources that an individual can

have and still qualify for SSI assistance. The countable income limits for individuals and couples are

equal to their respective Federal benefit rates2 and hence are increased annually according to changes

in the cost of living. For 2010, the Federal benefit rate is $674 a month for individuals and $1,011 a

month for couples. The resource limit is $2,000 in countable resources for individuals and $3,000 for

couples.

 • A uniform standard of 65 as the minimum age requirement for assistance based on age.

 • A uniform definition of disability and blindness. The definitions for individuals age 18 or older are

the same as those used for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. In order to be

considered disabled, an individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment

which is expected to last or has lasted at least 12 continuous months or is expected to result in death

and (1) if age 18 or older, prevents him/her from doing any substantial gainful activity3 or (2) if under

age 18, results in marked and severe functional limitations. However, individuals for whom addiction

to drugs or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of their disabilities are not

eligible for benefits. In order to be considered blind, an individual must have central visual acuity of

20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens or have tunnel vision of 20 degrees or

less.

 • Uniform standards for citizenship and residency. In order to be eligible for SSI, an individual

must be a citizen or national of the United States, an American Indian born in Canada who is admitted to the United States under section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an

American Indian born outside the United States who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian

tribe under section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, a noncitizen

who was receiving SSI benefits on August 22, 1996, or be a qualified alien in one of the following

categories4:

 — Certain noncitizens who are blind or disabled and were lawfully residing in the United States on

August 22, 1996;

1 For example, as explained in section III.H, SSI recipients in most States are also automatically eligible for Medicaid, which generally provides for their

medical needs.

2 See table IV.A2 for historical and estimated future Federal benefit rates.

3 “Substantial gainful activity” (SGA) is used to describe a level of work activity that is both substantial—i.e., involves the performance of significant

physical and/or mental duties which are productive—and gainful—i.e., performed for remuneration or profit. SGA rules do not apply to the SSI blind. Generally earnings from work activity of over $1,000 a month is evidence of ability to engage in SGA. If an SSI applicant is earning over $1,000 a month, he/she

generally would not be considered disabled. However, if an SSI recipient is earning over $1,000 a month, he/she could continue to be eligible for SSI. (See

“Incentives for Work and Opportunities for Rehabilitation” section III.E.) The SGA level of $1,000 was increased from $980 effective January 1, 2010 (74

FR 55615). Yearly increases in the SGA level are based on increases in the national average wage index.

4 Generally, SSI eligibility for humanitarian immigrants is limited to 7 years. However, under the “SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act,”

which became law on September 30, 2008, the 7-year period was extended to 9 years during the window of October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011.

Afterwards, the SSI eligibility period reverts back to 7 years. Noncitizens who have naturalization applications pending during this same 3-year window are

exempt from the 7-year limitation.
2010 SSI Annual Report

8

 — Refugees (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after their arrival in the United

States);

 — Asylees (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after the date they are granted asylum);

 — Noncitizens who have had their deportations withheld under section 243(h) of the INA as in

effect prior to April 1, 1997, or who have had their removals withheld under section 241(b)(3) of

the INA (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after the date that deportation or

removal is withheld);

 — Cuban and Haitian entrants as defined by Federal statute, including: 1) section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980; 2) former parolees and other aliens who became residents under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966; 3) aliens who became permanent residents

under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act; 4) aliens who adjusted status as Cuban/

Haitian entrants under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; and

5) aliens who became permanent residents under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act

(eligibility for these categories is generally limited to the 7-year period after the date that entrant

status is granted);

 — Amerasian immigrants admitted pursuant to section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export

Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988, and subsequent amendments (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after their arrival in the United States);

 — Noncitizen active duty Armed Forces personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and their

spouses and dependent children; or

 — Lawful permanent residents who have earned, or can be credited (from their spouses or parents)

with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings.

Qualified alien status includes noncitizens (or their parents or children) who have been battered or

subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse or parent (or a member of the spouse’s

or parent’s family) with whom they live, and who have an approved petition, or have a petition pending, setting forth a prima facie case for adjustment of their immigration status. A complete list of noncitizens who are considered qualified aliens can be found in the Glossary under “Qualified Alien.”

However, to be eligible to receive SSI benefits, these noncitizens also must be in one of the categories

listed above.

In addition, certain noncitizens are treated as refugees for SSI purposes:

 — Noncitizens who have been certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to be victims of trafficking in persons in the United States1, with eligibility for SSI generally limited to

the 7 years after a determination is made that they are trafficking victims; and 

 — Iraqi or Afghan noncitizens granted special immigrant status under emergency conditions (i.e.,

Iraqi or Afghans who have provided service to the U.S. government and, as a result, may be in

danger within their country of origin), with eligibility for SSI generally limited to the 7 years

after the special immigrant status is granted.

1 Generally defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or

coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
9

2010 SSI Annual Report

In addition to having to be a U.S. citizen (or national) or in one of the potentially eligible noncitizen

categories, an individual must reside in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. An individual also must be physically present in the United States1 for 30 consecutive

days, if he/she had been outside of the United States for 30 or more consecutive days. There are two

exceptions to the residency and physical presence requirements: 

 — Blind or disabled children who are citizens of the United States may continue to be eligible for

payments if they are living outside the United States with a parent who is on duty as a member of

the U.S. Armed Forces. This exception also applies to blind and disabled children of military

personnel who: (1) are born overseas; (2) become blind or disabled overseas; or (3) applied for

SSI benefits while overseas.

 — Students studying abroad for not more than 1 year also may continue to be eligible for payments

if the studies are sponsored by a U.S. educational institution but could not be conducted in the

United States.

D. ASSISTANCE OF LAST RESORT

As a means-tested program, SSI takes into account all income and resources that an individual has or can

access. The amount of an individual’s countable income and resources are the measure of his/her need for

assistance.

1. Income

The amount of an individual’s income is used to determine both eligibility for, and the amount of, his/her

SSI benefit. As countable income increases, an individual’s SSI benefit amount decreases. Generally, ineligibility for SSI occurs when countable income equals the Federal benefit rate plus the amount of applicable Federally-administered State supplementary payment (State supplementation is discussed later).

The monthly Federal benefit rate2 is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of the individual’s “countable” income—i.e., income less all applicable exclusions. Countable income is determined on a calendar

month basis. The result of this computation determines SSI eligibility and the amount of the benefit payable. These benefit rates are adjusted annually (in January) to reflect changes in the cost of living. 

When an individual lives in the household of another and receives support and maintenance in kind (i.e.,

generally room and board) from the householder, the Federal SSI benefit rate is reduced by one-third in

lieu of counting the actual value of the support and maintenance as unearned income. The value of food or

shelter-related items the individual receives in kind from persons other than the householder (including inkind assistance from outside the household in which he/she lives) is counted as unearned income.3 However, the amount that is countable is limited to an amount equal to one-third of the applicable Federal benefit rate plus $20.

SSI law defines two kinds of income—earned and unearned. Earned income is wages, net earnings from

self-employment, remuneration for work in a sheltered workshop, royalties on published work, and honoraria for services. All other income is unearned including, for example, Social Security benefits, other pensions, and unemployment compensation. The distinction between earned and unearned income is

significant because different exclusions apply to each type of income. 

1 Fifty States, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands.

2 See table IV.A2 for historical and estimated future Federal benefit rates.

3 Effective February 7, 2005, SSA simplified the SSI program (70 FR 6340) by generally eliminating clothing from the definition of income and from the

definition of in-kind support and maintenance.
2010 SSI Annual Report

10

However, not everything an individual receives is considered to be income. Generally, if the item received

is not food or shelter or cannot be used to obtain food or shelter, it will not be considered as income. For

example, if someone pays an individual’s medical bills, or offers free medical care, or if the individual

receives money from a social services agency that is a repayment of an amount he/she previously spent,

that value is not considered income to the individual. In addition, some items that are considered to be

income are excluded when determining the amount of an individual’s benefit.

Income Exclusions1

The principal earned income exclusions are: 

 • The first $65 per month plus one-half of the remainder; 

 • Impairment-related work expenses of the disabled and work expenses of the blind; 

 • Income set aside or being used to pursue a plan to achieve self-support (PASS) by a disabled or blind

individual; and 

 • The first $30 of infrequent or irregularly received income in a quarter. 

The principal unearned income exclusions are: 

 • The first $20 per month;2

 • Income set aside or being used to pursue a PASS by a disabled or blind individual; 

 • State or locally funded assistance based on need; 

 • Rent subsidies under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs;

 • The value of food stamps; and 

 • The first $60 of infrequent or irregularly received income in a quarter. 

2. Resources 

The value of an individual’s resources is used to determine whether he/she is eligible for SSI in any given

month. SSI law states that eligibility is restricted to individuals who have countable resources, determined

monthly, that do not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). Although “resources” is not defined, the law

lists those items that are not considered resources.

Regulations stipulate that a resource is cash or other liquid asset or any real or personal property that individuals (or their spouses) own and could convert to cash to be used for their support and maintenance.

This definition is consistent with the general philosophy of the SSI program that only items that can be

used for an individual’s food or shelter should be used in determining his/her eligibility and benefit

amount. Not all resources an individual owns are counted. The value of an item may be totally excluded or

counted only to the extent that its value exceeds specified limits.

If an applicant disposes of resources at less than fair market value within the 36-month period prior to his/

her application for SSI or at any time thereafter, he/she may be penalized. The penalty is a loss of SSI ben1 A complete list of the SSI income exclusions can be found in section V.B.

2 Any portion of this $20 amount not used to exclude unearned income may be used to exclude earned income.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

efits for a number of months (up to a 36-month maximum).1 The penalty does not apply if, among other

things, the applicant can show that the resources were disposed of exclusively for a purpose other than

establishing SSI eligibility.

Resource Exclusions2

The principal resource exclusions are:

 • The home and land appertaining to it, regardless of value;

 • Life insurance policies whose total face value does not exceed $1,500;

 • Burial funds not in excess of $1,500 each for an individual and spouse (plus accrued interest);

 • Household goods, if needed for maintenance, use and occupancy of the home, and personal effects;

 • An automobile, if used to provide necessary transportation;

 • Property essential to self-support;

 • Resources set aside to fulfill a PASS; and

 • Amounts deposited into either a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or “Assets for

Independence Act” individual development account (IDA), including matching funds, and interest

earned on such amounts.

3. Filing for Other Benefits 

As the “program of last resort,” SSI benefits are provided to eligible individuals only to the extent that

their needs are not met by other sources. That is, after evaluating all other income and resources, SSI pays

what is necessary to bring an individual to the statutorily prescribed income “floor.” In keeping with this

principle, SSI law requires that SSI applicants and recipients file for other payments for which they may

be eligible, such as annuities, pensions, retirement or disability benefits, workers’ compensation, and

unemployment insurance benefits. 

SSA must provide an individual with written notice of potential eligibility for other benefits and of the

requirement to take all appropriate steps to pursue these benefits. The individual has 30 days from receipt

of the notice to file for the benefits involved. 

4. Eligibility Issues for Residents of Public Institutions or Medical Treatment Facilities 

State and local governments—rather than the Federal Government—traditionally have taken the financial

responsibility for residents of their public institutions. The SSI program continues this long-standing public assistance policy. Residents of public institutions for a full calendar month are generally ineligible for

SSI unless one of the following exceptions applies:

 • The public institution is a medical treatment facility and Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the

cost of care, or in the case of a child under age 18, Medicaid or private health insurance pays more

than 50 percent of the cost of care—in these situations, the SSI payment is limited to $30;

1 The number of months of penalty is obtained by dividing the uncompensated value of disposed-of-resources by the Federal benefit rate plus the maximum

Federally-administered State supplementary payment, if any, applicable to the individual’s living arrangement.

2 A complete and more detailed list of the SSI resource exclusions can be found in section V.B.
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12

 • The public institution is a publicly operated community residence which serves no more than

16 residents; 

 • The public institution is an emergency shelter for the homeless (payments are limited to no more than

6 months in any 9-month period);

 • The recipient was eligible under section 1619(a) or (b)1 for the month preceding the first full month in

the public institution and is permitted by the institution to retain any benefits (payable for up to 2

months); or

 • A physician certifies that the recipient’s stay in a medical treatment facility is likely not to exceed 3

months and continued SSI eligibility is needed to maintain and provide for the expenses of the home

to which the individual will return. In these situations, the recipient may continue to receive the full

benefit for any of the first 3 full months of medical confinement if all other conditions for payment

are met.

5. Personal Needs Allowance 

When individuals enter medical treatment facilities in which more than half of the bill is paid by the Medicaid program, their monthly Federal benefit rate is generally reduced to $30, beginning with the first full

calendar month they are in the facility. In the case of an individual under age 18, the $30 payment amount

is also applicable if more than half of the bill is paid by private insurance or a combination of Medicaid

and private insurance. The theory behind this provision is that the individual’s basic needs are being met

by the medical treatment facility. In these cases, the SSI program provides up to $30 a month, which is

intended to take care of small comfort items not provided by the facility. 

6. Deeming 

In certain situations the income and resources of others are counted in determining whether an individual’s

income and resources fall below the levels established by law. This process is called “deeming” and is

applied in cases where an eligible individual lives with an ineligible spouse, an eligible child lives with an

ineligible parent, or an eligible noncitizen has a sponsor.2 In concept, the practice takes into account the

responsibility of the spouse, parent, or sponsor to provide for the basic needs of the eligible individual. 

a. Spouse-to-Spouse Deeming 

When an eligible individual lives in the same household with a spouse who is not eligible for SSI, the ineligible spouse’s income and resources are deemed to be available to the eligible individual. In determining

the amount of income and resources available to the eligible individual, all applicable exclusions are used.

In addition, a living allowance is provided for the ineligible spouse, as well as any ineligible children

under age 18 (or under age 22 and a student) living in the household. The allowance reduces the amount of

income to be deemed. Spouse-to-spouse deeming is intended to result in the same amount of income available to the couple as would be available if both members of the couple were aged, blind, or disabled and

eligible for SSI.

Deeming does not apply when the eligible individual is not living in the same household as the ineligible

spouse. However, if the ineligible spouse’s absence is temporary or is due solely to an active duty assignment as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, deeming would continue to apply. 

1 See section III.E.6 of this report for a description of the special section 1619 provisions for disabled individuals who work.

2 Deeming also applies to an individual who lives with an essential person (a concept carried over from the former State assistance plans). However, there

are fewer than 100 of these cases remaining.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

b. Parent-to-Child Deeming 

A child under age 18 is subject to deeming from an ineligible natural or adoptive parent (and that parent’s

spouse, if any) living in the same household. Deeming does not apply if a child lives in a household with

only the spouse of a parent (i.e., a stepparent) and the natural or adoptive parent has permanently left the

household. Certain amounts of the parent’s income are excluded, living allowances are provided for the

parent(s) and an allocation is set aside for each ineligible child under age 18 (or under age 22 and a student) who is living in the household. Deeming to a child would continue if the parent is absent from the

household but the absence is temporary or is due solely to active duty assignment as a member of the U.S.

Armed Forces. If a child lives in a household in which all members are receiving public assistance benefits, that child is not considered to be receiving any support and deeming would not apply. 

c. Sponsor-to-Alien Deeming 

The income and resources of noncitizens are deemed to include those of their sponsors. The way the

income and resources are deemed and the length of the deeming period depend on whether the sponsor

signed a legally enforceable affidavit of support1 or the previous version of the affidavit. Generally, noncitizens who entered the country before 1998 did so under the old version of the affidavit.2

Under the old version of the affidavit, deeming of the sponsor’s income and resources lasts until the noncitizen has been in the United States for 3 years.3 Living allowances equal to the Federal benefit rate are

provided for the sponsor, and allowances equal to one-half of the Federal benefit rate are provided for each

of the sponsor’s dependents. Allowances are also provided for the sponsor and his/her family members in

determining deemed resources. These allowances reduce the amount of the sponsor’s income and

resources deemed to the noncitizen.

For noncitizens admitted into the United States under a legally enforceable affidavit of support, deeming

generally applies until the noncitizen becomes a U.S. citizen. Deeming ends before citizenship if the noncitizen has earned, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings. Children and spouses of

workers may be credited with quarters earned by the worker. A quarter otherwise earned after 1996 does

not count as one of the required 40 if the noncitizen or worker received Federal means-tested public benefits during the relevant period. 

Also for this group of noncitizens, deeming does not apply for specified periods if the noncitizens or their

children or parents have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty while in the United States or if

sponsors leave the noncitizens indigent by not providing them with sufficient support. 

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION

SSI benefits provide a basic level of assistance for individuals who are blind or disabled with limited earnings capacity due to their impairments. Nonetheless, for recipients who want to work, the SSI program is

designed to encourage and support their work attempts in order to help them achieve greater degrees of

independence. The SSI program includes a number of work incentives that enable recipients who are blind

or disabled to work and retain benefits or to increase their levels of work activity without the loss of SSI

disability status or Medicaid. These incentives provide higher amounts of income or resource exclusions

1 Legally enforceable affidavits of support are required by Public Law 104-208.

2 The Immigration and Naturalization Service now known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began using the new, legally

enforceable affidavits on December 19, 1997. However, if a potential immigrant had a visa issued before that date, the sponsor would sign an old version of

the affidavit even if the affidavit was signed after December 19, 1997.

3 For a temporary period—January 1994 through September 1996—the deeming period was 5 years.
2010 SSI Annual Report

14

as recognition of the expenses associated with working or as inducements to seek rehabilitation services

and support for work efforts. 

The SSI program also includes provisions to help disabled recipients obtain vocational rehabilitation and

employment support services. These provisions were revised by legislation establishing the Ticket to Work

program, which is described in section III.E.7.

1. Earned Income Exclusion 

The first $65 ($85 if the individual has no income other than earnings) of any monthly earned income plus

one-half of remaining earnings are excluded for SSI benefit computation purposes. This general earned

income exclusion is intended to help offset expenses incurred when working. It assures that SSI recipients

who are working will be rewarded for their efforts.

2. Impairment-Related Work Expense Exclusion 

The costs of certain impairment-related services and items that a disabled (but not blind) individual needs

in order to work are excluded from earned income in determining SSI eligibility and benefit amounts. 

In calculating these expenses, amounts equal to the costs of certain attendant care services, medical

devices, equipment, prostheses, vehicle modifications, residential modifications to accommodate wheelchairs, and similar items and services are deductible from earnings. The costs of routine drugs and routine

medical services are not deductible unless these drugs and services are necessary to control the disabling

condition.

3. Work Expenses of the Blind Exclusion 

Any earned income by a blind individual that is used to meet expenses needed to earn that income is

excluded from earned income in determining SSI eligibility and benefit amounts. A deductible expense

need not be directly related to the worker’s blindness; it need only be an ordinary and necessary work

expense of the worker.

Some frequently excluded work expenses include transportation to and from work, meals consumed during work hours, job equipment, licenses, income or FICA taxes, and costs of job training. 

4. Student Earned Income Exclusion 

The student earned income exclusion is an additional exclusion for an individual who is under age 22 and

regularly attending school. It is intended to help defray the cost of educational training. Under current regulations, up to $1,640 of earned income per month but no more than $6,600 per year may be excluded.1

5. Plan to Achieve Self-Support 

A plan to achieve self-support (PASS) allows a disabled or blind individual to set aside income and

resources to get a specific type of job or to start a business. This may involve setting aside funds for education or vocational training. Funds can even be set aside to purchase work-related equipment or pay for

transportation related to the work goal. The income and resources that are set aside are excluded under the

SSI income and resources tests. 

1 Increased from $1,550 and $6,240, respectively, effective January 1, 2009 (73 FR 64651). Under current regulations this exclusion is increased yearly

based on changes in the cost of living. Because there was no cost-of-living increase for 2010, the excluded amounts remain at 2009 levels.
15

2010 SSI Annual Report

The individual must have a feasible work goal, must have a specific savings or spending plan, and must

provide for a clearly identifiable accounting for the funds which are set aside. The PASS must be approved

by SSA. The individual must then follow the plan and negotiate revisions as needed. SSA monitors the

plans by reviewing them periodically to evaluate the individual’s progress towards attaining the work goal. 

6. Special Provisions for Disabled Recipients Who Work 

This work incentive generally is referred to by its section number in the Social Security Act, section 1619.

Under section 1619(a), disabled individuals who would cease to be eligible because of earnings over the

substantial gainful activity level may receive special cash benefits so long as they:

 • Continue to have the disabling condition;

 • Have income under the amount which would cause ineligibility for any payment under SSI income

counting rules; and

 • Meet all other nondisability requirements for SSI payment.

In many States, being a recipient of the special benefit permits the individual to be eligible for Medicaid

benefits.

Under section 1619(b), “SSI recipient” status for Medicaid eligibility purposes also is provided to individuals:

 • Whose earnings preclude any SSI payment but are not sufficient to provide a reasonable equivalent of

SSI benefits, social services, and Medicaid benefits that an individual would have in the absence of

earnings; and 

 • Whose ability to continue working would be seriously inhibited by the loss of social services and

Medicaid benefits. 

To qualify for extended Medicaid coverage under section 1619(b) an individual must: 

 • Have a disabling condition;

 • Need Medicaid in order to work;

 • Not be able to afford equivalent medical coverage and publicly funded personal or attendant care

without assistance; 

 • Meet all nondisability requirements for SSI payment other than earnings; and 

 • Have received a regular SSI cash payment in a previous month within the current period of eligibility.

(In some States, the individual must have qualified for Medicaid the month preceding the first month

of 1619 eligibility.) 

In determining whether individuals’ earnings are not sufficient to provide them with the equivalent benefits they would be eligible for if they stopped working, their earnings are compared to a threshold amount

for their State of residence. Section 1619(b) status continues if the earnings are at or below the threshold.

If earnings exceed the State threshold, an individualized assessment of the need for Medicaid is made and

1619(b) status may continue. 
2010 SSI Annual Report

16

7. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program

Since the beginning of the SSI program, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies have provided services to those blind or disabled SSI recipients whom they have accepted as clients. SSA has traditionally

reimbursed the VR agency for services provided in situations where the services result in the individual’s

working at the substantial gainful activity level for a continuous period of 9 months and in certain other

limited situations.

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 established a Ticket to Work and SelfSufficiency program under which a blind or disabled beneficiary may obtain vocational rehabilitation,

employment, and other support services from a qualified private or public provider, referred to as an

“employment network” (EN), or from a State VR agency. In addition, the Ticket legislation provided that

ENs would be compensated under an outcome or outcome-milestone payment system.1 By expanding the

pool of providers and giving the providers incentives for achieving success, this program seeks to expand

a disabled beneficiary’s access to these services in order to assist the beneficiary in finding, entering, and

retaining employment and reducing his/her dependence on cash benefits.

The Ticket to Work program has been in operation nationwide since September 2004. Under this program

SSA provides eligible individuals who receive SSI benefits due to blindness or disability with a ticket.

These individuals may use the ticket to obtain the vocational rehabilitation services, employment services,

and other support services needed to return to work or go to work for the first time. The Ticket to Work

program provides that as long as the beneficiary is “using a ticket” SSA will not initiate a continuing disability review to determine whether the beneficiary has medically improved.

ENs and State VR agencies are the only providers of VR services to disabled SSI recipients that can be

compensated for those services by SSA. All ENs are compensated through the Ticket to Work program’s

milestone and/or outcome-based payment system. State VR agencies are compensated under the traditional VR reimbursement system unless they have elected to participate as an EN for specific cases. Any

services provided by the State VR agencies to SSI recipients who are not yet eligible for a ticket will be

compensated under the traditional VR reimbursement system.

Individuals who improve medically and, therefore, are no longer considered disabled or blind may continue to receive SSI benefits if they are actively participating in the Ticket to Work program or another

approved program of VR services, employment services, or other support services. For benefits to continue, SSA must determine that continuing or completing the program will increase the likelihood that

they will be permanently removed from the SSI rolls. SSI benefits and Medicaid generally continue until

the approved program is completed or until the individual ceases to participate in the program.

In 2008, SSA revised the Ticket to Work regulations to enhance beneficiary choice and improve the effectiveness of the program. The revisions extended the program to all adult SSDI and SSI blind or disabled

beneficiaries, removed disincentives for ENs to participate in the program, provided incentives for ENs to

support beneficiaries through a more gradual return to work and positioned ENs to better support ongoing

retention of employment. The regulations also encourage partnership between State VR agencies and ENs

to provide long-term services to a beneficiary by allowing the beneficiary to assign a ticket to an EN after

receiving VR services.

1 State VR agencies generally have the option on a case-by-case basis of electing to be paid under an EN payment system or under the traditional cost reimbursement payment system. Effective July 21, 2008, a State VR agency under the traditional cost reimbursement option and an EN under the EN payment

system may be compensated for providing successive services to a beneficiary.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

8. Expedited Reinstatement

A disabled or blind individual whose eligibility for SSI payments ended because of earnings can request

expedited reinstatement of his/her SSI benefits without filing a new application. To qualify for expedited

reinstatement, the individual must make the request within 60 months after his/her eligibility ended and

must have a disabling medical condition that: (1) is the same as (or related to) the disabling medical condition that led to the previous period of eligibility and (2) prevents him/her from performing substantial

gainful activity. In determining whether the individual is disabled or blind, the medical improvement

review standard is applied. Normal nonmedical requirements for SSI eligibility still apply.

An individual requesting expedited reinstatement may receive up to 6 months of provisional benefits while

his/her request is pending. These benefits generally are not considered an overpayment if the request is

denied. Provisional benefits may include Medicaid but do not include any State supplementary payments.

F. ADMINISTRATION OF THE SSI PROGRAM

The framers of the SSI program chose SSA to administer the SSI program because the basic system for

paying monthly benefits to a large number of individuals was already in place in the form of the Social

Security program, and SSA had a long-standing favorable reputation for dealing directly with the public.

1. Application Process

Individuals can apply for SSI benefits at any one of the approximately 1,300 SSA field offices around the

country or through SSA teleservice centers. Although many of the eligibility requirements for the Social

Security program and the SSI program are different, the application process is very similar. Many times,

individuals file for benefits under both programs at the same time.

SSA corroborates information provided by applicants for SSI through independent or collateral sources.

Generally, the basic responsibility for obtaining evidence lies with the claimant, although SSA often gives

advice and assistance on ways to obtain the needed information. Because of the special circumstances of

the SSI population (for example, financial need, old age, or illness), SSA makes special efforts to assist

claimants in obtaining the necessary proofs.

With regard to disability and blindness claims, SSA determines the nonmedical eligibility factors whereas

each State’s disability determination services (DDS) determines the medical eligibility factors.1

2. Determination of Eligibility for Benefits

SSI applications have no retroactivity and become effective in the month after the month of filing or the

month after all eligibility requirements are met, whichever is later. Eligibility for benefits in a month is

based on income received in that month. The amount of the monthly benefit is generally calculated using

income in the second month preceding the month for which the benefit is paid.2 However, at the start of a

period of eligibility or re-eligibility, the amount of benefits for the first and second months are both determined using the income received in the first month.

1 The applicant can appeal unfavorable determinations of either the nonmedical or medical eligibility factors. The administrative review process consists of

several steps, which must be requested within certain time periods.

2 This method of calculating the benefit is called retrospective monthly accounting.
2010 SSI Annual Report

18

3. Payment of Benefits

SSI benefits generally are paid on the first day of each month. If the first of the month falls on a weekend

or legal public holiday, benefit payments are delivered on the first working day preceding such Saturday,

Sunday, or holiday. While SSA strongly encourages all SSI beneficiaries to receive their monthly benefits

by direct deposit, benefit payments are also made by check if individuals do not wish to use direct deposit.

Monthly benefit payments include both the Federal SSI and State amounts if the recipient lives in a State

in which SSA administers the State supplementary payment. (See section III.G.)

4. Ensuring Continued Eligibility for Benefits

SSI recipients have their nonmedical eligibility factors redetermined periodically, depending on their specific situation.

In addition to these nonmedical reviews, medical reviews are conducted on disabled or blind recipients in

order to determine if they continue to be disabled or blind. For administrative efficiency the medical

reviews are done most often on those disabled or blind recipients whose medical conditions are likely to

improve. Medical reviews are required for disabled or blind recipients under the following circumstances:

 • When earnings of recipients exceed the substantial gainful activity level;1

 • At least once every 3 years for recipients under age 18 whose medical conditions are considered

likely to improve;

 • Within 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is a contributing factor material to

the determination of their disability, unless SSA determines that the impairment is not expected to

improve within 12 months of the child’s birth; and 

 • Within 1 year after attaining age 18 for those recipients whose eligibility was established under the

disabled child eligibility criteria. The required review is done using the adult eligibility criteria.

Applicants and recipients are required to report events and changes of circumstances that may affect their

SSI eligibility and benefit amounts. Such reports are required, for example, when an individual has a

change in the amount of his/her income or resources, changes living arrangements, or leaves the United

States. Failure or delay in reporting such a change can result in monetary penalties or ineligibility for SSI

benefits.

The basic “failure to report” penalty is $25 for the first such failure or delay, $50 for the second such failure or delay, and $100 for each subsequent failure or delay. However, in cases of fraud or false representation of material facts, SSA’s Inspector General can assess civil monetary penalties in amounts as large as

$5,000. SSA also has the authority to suspend eligibility to SSI benefits for periods of 6, 12, or 24 months.

Additionally, SSA may use an accelerated rate of overpayment recovery to encourage accurate reporting.

Overpayments to SSI recipients are generally recovered by withholding from the monthly benefit an

amount equal to 10 percent of the individual’s countable monthly income. For many recipients whose only

income is SSI, this amounts to 10 percent of their monthly SSI payment. However, if SSA determines that

the recipient misrepresented or concealed material information, 100 percent of the monthly SSI benefit

may be subject to recovery.

1 A medical review cannot be initiated while the SSI recipient is “using a ticket” under the Ticket to Work program.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

5. Representative Payees 

When SSI recipients are incapable of managing their benefits or are declared legally incompetent, SSA

appoints representative payees for them, and their SSI benefits are sent to the representative payees. In

many cases the representative payee is a spouse, a parent, or other close relative who will act in the recipient’s best interest. In some cases, SSA approves an organization to serve as a payee. SSA authorizes certain types of organizations to collect a fee from the benefit for acting as payee. The fee cannot exceed the

lesser of 10 percent of the benefit amount or a specified amount ($37 a month in 20101).

Representative payees may use an SSI recipient’s benefit only for the use and benefit of the recipient and

must account for all benefits received. Representative payees also are required to report any changes that

may affect SSI recipients’ eligibility and payment amount and may be held liable for certain overpayments

that occur. In cases in which a child is due a retroactive payment that exceeds six times the Federal benefit

rate, the representative payee is required to establish a dedicated account at a financial institution to maintain the retroactive payment. Expenditures from the account must be used primarily for certain expenses

related to the child’s impairment.

6. Appeal Rights 

Recipients must receive advance notice of any adverse action SSA plans to take against them and may

continue to receive monthly benefits if they appeal the adverse action. For nondisability appeals, recipients

qualify for benefit continuation at the reconsideration level if they file the appeal within 10 days of receipt

of the notice of adverse action. For appeals of medical cessations or determinations reopened and revised

due to medical reasons, recipients qualify for benefit continuation at the reconsideration and hearing levels

if they file the appeal and elect benefit continuation within 10 days of receipt of the initial or reconsideration determination.

7. Fees for Attorneys and Non-attorney Representatives

At any time, an individual may appoint a representative in any dealings with SSA. If such a representative

is an attorney, he/she must be in good standing, have the right to practice law before a court, not be disqualified or suspended from acting as a representative in dealings with SSA, and not be prohibited by any

law from acting as a representative. If the individual is not an attorney, he/she must meet qualifications

specified by SSA (e.g., be of good character and able to provide valuable service to claimants).

Representatives must file a written request with SSA before they can charge or receive a fee for services

they provide. SSA decides the amount of the fee, if any, a representative may charge or receive. The representative may request authorization to charge and receive a fee under either a fee agreement or fee petition. The fee that may be authorized under a fee agreement is currently limited to the lesser of 25 percent

of the past-due benefits or $6,000. There is no limit on the amount of the fee that may be authorized under

a fee petition; a reasonable fee is authorized for specific services provided by the representative. If SSA is

required to approve the fee, the representative may not charge or receive more than the amount authorized. 

The SSI program has traditionally differed from the Social Security program in that amounts could not be

withheld from an individual’s SSI benefits to pay for representative fees. SSI claimants were responsible

for paying such fees directly to their representatives. However, beginning February 28, 2005, direct payment of both attorney and non-attorney representative fees was extended to the SSI program.2 As in the

fee process for the Social Security program, representatives are now charged an assessment of the smaller

1 For disabled recipients who also have a drug addiction or alcoholism condition, the maximum permitted fee in 2010 is $72 a month.

2 Public Law 108-203, enacted March 2, 2004, granted temporary extension of the attorney fee payment system to title XVI claims for a period of 5 years.

Public Law 111-142, enacted February 27, 2010, made this extension permanent.
2010 SSI Annual Report

20

of 6.3 percent of each authorized fee withheld or the flat-rate cap of $83. The flat-rate cap is adjusted

based on annual cost-of-living adjustments, rounded down to the next lower dollar. 

Non-attorney representatives must meet specified prerequisites in order to be paid directly by SSA out of

SSI applicants’ past-due benefits. These prerequisites include having a bachelors’ degree or equivalent

qualifications from training or work experience; maintaining adequate liability insurance; passing a criminal background check; passing an examination given by SSA that tests relevant knowledge of the Social

Security Act and recent court decisions; and completing ongoing courses of continuing education.

8. Advance Payments 

The SSI program has procedures which help to respond to the immediate needs of new claimants. These

procedures are in addition to State and local programs designed to help those in need, pending decisions

on their SSI status. 

a. Emergency Advance Payments 

A new claimant who faces a financial emergency, and for whom there is a strong likelihood of being found

eligible, may receive up to 1 month of SSI benefits; i.e., the Federal payment amount plus any applicable

State supplement. The amount paid is recovered from later SSI payments (in full from the first payment or

in increments over no more than a 6-month period, depending upon the circumstances). However, if the

claim is subsequently denied because the claimant is not disabled or blind, repayment would be waived. If

the claim is denied for other reasons, the amount paid would be an overpayment and processed as such.

b. Presumptive Disability or Blindness 

A claimant applying for benefits based on disability or blindness may be paid up to 6 months’ benefits

when the available evidence reflects a high degree of probability that his/her impairment will meet the definition of disability or blindness and he/she is otherwise eligible. These payments are not considered overpayments if the individual is later determined not to be disabled or blind. If the claim is disallowed for

other reasons, the amount paid would be an overpayment and processed as such.

G. STATE SUPPLEMENTATION

In designing the SSI program, Congress recognized that States,1 in many instances, may want to provide a

higher level of income maintenance than was available under the Federal program. At the same time States

were given the option either to provide no supplementation to the Federal assistance payments or to supplement those payments based on their views of the needs of their citizens. Congress also mandated that

States assure that their citizens would not receive lower benefits under the Federal program than they had

under the former State program. The following paragraphs describe the various forms of State supplementation that currently exist. Table III.H1 summarizes State-specific participation in these programs as well

as other programs requiring State and Federal coordination as discussed in section III.H.

1. Optional State Supplementary Payment Programs 

For individuals who first became eligible for SSI in 1974 or later, each State could supplement Federal

payments to whatever extent it found appropriate with respect to the needs of its citizens and resources of

the State. Currently, 44 States have optional State supplementary payment programs.

1 References to State include, in addition to the 50 States, the District of Columbia. The applicable State supplementation provisions would also apply to the

Northern Mariana Islands if it began making State supplementary payments.
21

2010 SSI Annual Report

Some States provide supplementary payments to all individuals eligible for SSI benefits, while others may

limit them to certain SSI recipients such as the blind or residents of domiciliary-care facilities or may

extend them to persons ineligible for SSI because of excess income. States’ flexibility in setting supplementary payments, however, has been significantly restricted by the passalong provisions (see Passalong

Provisions section below).

2. Mandatory State Supplementary Payment Programs 

States are required1 to maintain the December 1973 income levels of individuals who were transferred in

1974 from the former State adult assistance programs to the SSI program, except for Texas which has a

constitutional bar against mandatory State supplementation. Over the years, many individuals who were

converted to SSI from the State benefit rolls have died and others have had their incomes increased above

the December 1973 level. As a result, there are few individuals who continue to receive mandatory State

supplementary payments.

3. Administration of State Supplementary Payments 

A State may administer its supplementary program or enter into an agreement under which SSA will make

eligibility determinations and payments on behalf of the State. Under State administration, the State pays

its own program benefits and absorbs the full administrative costs. Under Federal administration, States

are required to pay SSA a fee for each supplementary payment issued. In fiscal year 2010, the fee is

$10.45 per payment issued. Fees are subject to change in succeeding fiscal years, based on increases in the

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

States that administer their own supplementary payment programs to title XVI recipients establish their

own eligibility criteria for the supplementary payments. States with Federally-administered programs may

supplement the Federal benefit among a limited number of geographical and living arrangement variations

for title XVI recipients.2

4. Passalong Provisions

When the SSI program began in 1974, Congress did not require States to maintain their efforts with regard

to levels of State supplementary payments. However, in 1976 in reaction to States reducing their supplementary payment amounts when SSI payments were increased, Congress mandated that States pass along

SSI benefit increases resulting from cost-of-living adjustments. 

To meet the passalong requirement, a State may either maintain each State payment level from year-toyear—the “payment levels” method—or it may spend the same amount of money, in the aggregate, that it

spent for supplementary benefits in the 12-month period preceding the increase in the SSI benefit rate—

the “total expenditures” method. Currently, 42 States use the levels method and 8 use the expenditure

method. West Virginia has no optional supplementary plan and was not required to establish a mandatory

plan because Federal SSI income standards exceeded all payments made under the State’s adult assistance

programs in 1973. 

1 Requirement does not affect West Virginia, since, in 1973, SSI Federal benefit rates exceeded the applicable income standards under the State’s adult

assistance programs.

2 Includes, for this purpose, those eligible for title XVI benefits but for income.
2010 SSI Annual Report

22

H. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS

SSI benefits are not the only form of assistance available to needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals.

Medicaid, food stamps, and temporary State assistance also are important in keeping individuals from sliding further into poverty. SSA plays a limited but important role in helping States with regard to administration of Medicaid and Food Stamp programs, and provisions in the SSI statute ensure that payments made

by States or under the Social Security program are not duplicated by SSI benefits. 

1. Windfall Offset 

If a person receives SSI payments and is later determined to be entitled to retroactive Social Security benefits, such retroactive benefits are reduced by the amount of SSI payments the person would not have been

eligible for had the Social Security benefits been paid in the month they were due. This process is called

the “windfall offset” and was enacted to prevent windfall payments to individuals when Social Security

and SSI payments were paid for the same period. 

2. Medicaid Determinations 

Generally, SSI recipients are categorically eligible for Medicaid. A State may either use SSI eligibility criteria for determining Medicaid eligibility or use its own criteria so long as the criteria are no more restrictive than the State’s January 1972 medical assistance standards. Forty States use SSI criteria and 11 States

use eligibility criteria more restrictive than those of the SSI program. 

States also may enter into agreements with SSA for SSA to make Medicaid eligibility determinations on

their behalf, so long as the eligibility requirements of the State’s Medicaid plans are the same as those for

the SSI program. Under these agreements, SSA determines only when an individual is eligible for Medicaid; SSA does not determine Medicaid ineligibility. SSA has Medicaid determination agreements with

33 States. 

Continued Medicaid eligibility is provided for certain Social Security beneficiaries who lose SSI eligibility due to entitlement to Social Security benefits or due to a change in Social Security benefits resulting

from:

 • Cost-of-living adjustments;

 • Actuarial increases in disabled widow(er)s benefits before age 60;

 • Changes in the definition of disability for widow(er)s benefits; or

 • Increases in or entitlement to childhood disability benefits.

3. Food Stamp Applications 

SSI recipients in all States, except California,1 may be eligible for food stamps. Under agreements entered

into by the Department of Agriculture and SSA, Social Security offices notify Social Security and SSI

applicants and recipients of their potential benefits under the Food Stamp Program and make food stamp

applications available to them.

1 California “cashes out” food stamps and SSI recipients there receive a cash payment in their State supplementary payment in lieu of food stamps.
23

2010 SSI Annual Report

The law also provides for Social Security offices to take food stamp applications from eligible or potentially eligible SSI households that are not already receiving food stamps and do not have a food stamp

application pending. Food stamp applications from SSI households may be taken in connection with initial

SSI claims or at the time of a redetermination. Food stamp applicants have the option of applying at Social

Security offices or applying at State food stamp offices if expedited service is required. Social Security

offices forward the food stamp applications and any supporting documents to the local food stamp offices

within 1 day of taking the application. Eligibility is determined by the food stamp office. 

4. Interim Assistance Reimbursement 

SSA may enter into agreements under which States or local governments are reimbursed for basic needs

assistance provided during the period that either an eligible individual’s SSI application for benefits was

pending or the individual’s SSI benefits were suspended and subsequently reinstated (the interim period).

Under these interim assistance reimbursement agreements, if the individual has given SSA written authorization, SSA first reimburses the State, then pays the remainder in installments to the recipient or his/her

representative payee.1 In certain disabled children cases, SSA pays the remainder in installments into special dedicated financial institution accounts for the children. Thirty-nine States have interim assistance

agreements with SSA. 

1 In those cases where the retroactive benefits are less than a certain amount, SSA sends an individual’s first SSI benefit check relating to the interim period

to the State or local jurisdiction that had provided the interim assistance. The State then deducts the amount it is owed and is required to forward the remainder to the claimant within 10 days. Beginning February 2005, when an authorized representative fee may be paid directly, SSA reimburses the State and then

pays the approved fee. Any remainder will be paid in installments, or the full remainder will be paid to the recipient. 
2010 SSI Annual Report

24

Table III.H1.—SSI State Supplementationa and Coordination with Other Programs

a See body of text for description of the various forms of State supplementation.

 United States and 

District of Columbia

Optional State program—

Administered by:

Method of mandatory 

passalong of benefit 

increases from 

cost-of-living adjustments

Medicaid eligibility 

determination— Interim 

assistance 

reimbursement 

agreement 

with SSA

Based on: Agreement 

with SSA 

to 

determine 

State eligibility

Federal 

(SSA)

Federal 

& State

“Payment

levels”

“Total

expenditures

”

Federal 

criteria

State

criteria

Alabama b

b State has no recipients receiving mandatory minimum State supplementation.

* * ** Alaska * * * * Arizona * * ** Arkansas c

c Mandatory minimum State supplementation program is Federally-administered. No optional program.

* * * California d

d Mandatory minimum State supplementation program is Federally-administered.

* * * ** Colorado * * * * * Connecticut b * * ** Delaware d * * * * * District of Columbia d * * * * * Florida b * * * * * Georgia d * * ** * Hawaii b * * * * Idaho * ** Illinois * * * * Indiana b * * ** Iowa d * * * * * Kansas c ** * Kentucky b * * * * * Louisiana d * * ** Maine * * * * * Maryland d * * ** * Massachusetts d * * * * * Michigan d * * * * * e

Minnesota b * * * * Mississippi c * ** Missouri * * * * Montana d * * * ** Nebraska * * * * Nevada b ** * * New Hampshire * * * * e

e State provides assistance only in initial application cases. No assistance provided during periods that SSI benefits are suspended or terminated.

New Jersey d * * * ** New Mexico * * * * * e

New York d * * * * * North Carolina * * * * * North Dakota b * * Ohio d * * * * Oklahoma * ** Oregon * * * * Pennsylvania d * * * * * Rhode Island b * * * * * e

South Carolina b * * ** South Dakota d * * * * Tennessee c * ** * Texas f

f State does not have a mandatory minimum State supplementation program.

* * * * Utah b ** * * Vermont b * * * * * Virginia b * * ** Washington * * * * * West Virginia f * * Wisconsin * * * * * Wyoming * * **

Total number of States 29 10 5 42 8 40 11 33 39
25

2010 SSI Annual Report

IV. ESTIMATES OF PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM, 2010-34

As described in section III, eligibility for payments under the SSI program depends on satisfying a collection of requirements related to the socioeconomic status of the individual, as well as the evaluation of disability or blindness for all persons under age 65, and for certain individuals at ages 65 or older.

Consequently, future SSI program eligibility and expenditures will depend on a variety of difficult-to-predict factors including the performance of national and local economies, distribution of personal income,

the prevalence of disability in the general population, and the determination of disability as defined in the

Social Security Act. Nonetheless, for planning purposes it is important to develop the best possible projections of future SSI program recipients and expenditures.

This section includes projections of program recipients and expenditures under the SSI program for a

period of 25 years. The current projection model uses estimates of the general population by single year of

age and gender. Transitions into payment status are projected separately for: (1) new recipients resulting

from an application for program benefits and (2) returns to payment status from suspended status. Movements out of payment status are projected separately for: (1) terminations due to death and (2) suspensions

of payment for all other reasons.1 The assumptions and methods used in preparing these projections are

reexamined each year in the light of recent experience and new information about future conditions and

are revised if warranted. The presentation of projection results in the remainder of this section provides

SSI recipient information for selected age groups.

A. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS

The estimates of program recipients and Federal expenditures presented in this section have been prepared

using the intermediate demographic and economic projections developed for the 2010 Annual Report of

the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance

(OASDI) Trust Funds.2 The single economic parameter that has the most direct effect on the level of SSI

benefits is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (hereafter denoted as

CPI),3 which is used for indexing the SSI Federal benefit rate. A detailed discussion of these demographic

and economic projections is presented in sections V.A and V.B of the Trustees Report.4 An important feature of the intermediate assumptions for the 2010 Trustees Report is a continuation of the recent economic

downturn, with a return to a sustainable path for the economy over the following several years. As

explained later in this section, the economic recession appears to have generated an increase in applications for SSI disability benefits and a consequent increase in projected SSI expenditures, although this

temporary increase is expected to subside as the economy recovers.

The key parameters utilized for the estimates presented in this report are summarized in the following two

tables. Table IV.A1 presents population projections summarized for the age subgroups that are used in the

presentation of SSI recipient projections discussed in the next section. Table IV.A2 presents a complete

history of the cost-of-living adjustment factors and Federal benefit rates since the inception of the program, along with projections of such amounts consistent with the economic assumptions underlying the

SSI expenditure estimates discussed in section IV.C.

1 The two main reasons other than death for termination of SSI payments are (1) failure to satisfy income and resource limitations of the SSI program

and (2) recovery from a qualifying disability.

2 House Document 111-137, published August 9, 2010.

3 Historical values of the CPI are developed and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4 Ibid, Section V.A, Demographic Assumptions and Methods and Section V.B, Economic Assumptions and Methods.
2010 SSI Annual Report

26

Notes: 1. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

2. Historical data are estimated and subject to revision.

Table IV.A1.—Historical and Projected Social Security Area Population based on the 

Intermediate Assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report, as of July 1, 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Year

Age groups a

a Age as of last birthday.

Total

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74 75 or older all ages

Historical data:

1974 .................. 71,044 59,770 36,417 32,792 13,832 8,899 222,754

1975 .................. 70,079 61,731 36,392 33,152 14,137 9,117 224,609

1976 .................. 69,099 63,647 36,504 33,434 14,449 9,387 226,519

1977 .................. 68,199 65,381 36,834 33,712 14,774 9,648 228,548

1978 .................. 67,381 66,988 37,370 33,960 15,119 9,896 230,715

1979 .................. 66,627 68,601 37,982 34,126 15,443 10,167 232,945

1980 .................. 66,060 70,178 38,545 34,256 15,747 10,449 235,236

1981 .................. 65,702 71,436 39,374 34,337 16,036 10,752 237,637

1982 .................. 65,458 72,184 40,767 34,307 16,326 11,076 240,119

1983 .................. 65,335 72,676 42,339 34,229 16,581 11,405 242,565

1984 .................. 65,362 73,059 43,849 34,151 16,815 11,718 244,953

1985 .................. 65,544 73,306 45,371 34,032 17,093 12,029 247,374

1986 .................. 65,814 73,455 46,950 33,880 17,409 12,338 249,846

1987 .................. 66,071 73,559 48,600 33,776 17,701 12,642 252,348

1988 .................. 66,315 73,666 50,286 33,760 17,941 12,947 254,915

1989 .................. 66,710 73,635 52,032 33,829 18,141 13,275 257,622

1990 .................. 67,464 73,265 53,810 33,932 18,358 13,623 260,452

1991 .................. 68,511 72,576 55,598 34,108 18,605 13,957 263,355

1992 .................. 69,610 71,770 57,319 34,511 18,818 14,288 266,315

1993 .................. 70,638 71,006 58,898 35,121 18,973 14,604 269,241

1994 .................. 71,546 70,263 60,488 35,770 19,066 14,914 272,046

1995 .................. 72,302 69,569 62,181 36,360 19,093 15,246 274,751

1996 .................. 72,939 69,033 63,654 37,198 19,060 15,596 277,479

1997 .................. 73,449 68,667 64,645 38,543 18,972 15,946 280,222

1998 .................. 73,820 68,433 65,455 40,055 18,842 16,266 282,872

1999 .................. 74,174 68,318 66,241 41,525 18,698 16,549 285,505

2000 .................. 74,530 68,312 66,851 43,015 18,611 16,808 288,128

2001 .................. 74,864 68,452 67,264 44,555 18,591 17,047 290,773

2002 .................. 75,180 68,723 67,476 46,161 18,623 17,260 293,423

2003 .................. 75,439 69,011 67,511 47,801 18,725 17,458 295,945

2004 .................. 75,688 69,299 67,506 49,494 18,899 17,668 298,555

2005 .................. 75,975 69,594 67,567 51,247 19,150 17,867 301,401

2006 .................. 76,285 69,976 67,569 53,008 19,511 18,056 304,405

2007 .................. 76,565 70,588 67,304 54,687 20,065 18,216 307,424

2008 .................. 76,751 71,461 66,813 56,256 20,775 18,331 310,387

2009 .................. 76,896 72,451 66,240 57,831 21,477 18,448 313,343

Projected:

2010 .................. 77,093 73,401 65,620 59,473 22,098 18,576 316,262

2011................... 77,357 74,271 65,001 60,911 22,883 18,723 319,146

2012 .................. 77,691 75,023 64,460 61,916 24,022 18,900 322,012

2013 .................. 78,092 75,657 64,019 62,763 25,223 19,121 324,875

2014 .................. 78,552 76,173 63,718 63,590 26,321 19,382 327,736

2015 .................. 79,039 76,588 63,645 64,242 27,406 19,671 330,592

2016 .................. 79,534 76,967 63,779 64,656 28,481 20,025 333,442

2017 .................. 80,022 77,346 64,035 64,874 29,501 20,508 336,286

2018 .................. 80,496 77,756 64,308 64,976 30,484 21,101 339,121

2019 .................. 80,996 78,162 64,512 65,037 31,544 21,691 341,942

2020 .................. 81,533 78,508 64,665 65,105 32,709 22,227 344,748

2021 .................. 82,057 78,832 64,861 65,098 33,765 22,920 347,533

2022 .................. 82,548 79,169 65,237 64,854 34,563 23,923 350,294

2023 .................. 83,014 79,485 65,846 64,390 35,291 24,999 353,025

2024 .................. 83,429 79,762 66,624 63,836 36,062 26,009 355,723

2025 .................. 83,774 80,011 67,509 63,251 36,825 27,013 358,383

2026 .................. 84,152 80,194 68,413 62,674 37,528 28,041 361,002

2027 .................. 84,583 80,352 69,234 62,176 38,125 29,107 363,577

2028 .................. 84,988 80,585 69,936 61,772 38,610 30,210 366,102

2029 .................. 85,369 80,893 70,513 61,501 38,953 31,348 368,577

2030 .................. 85,725 81,270 70,956 61,444 39,100 32,502 370,998

2031 .................. 86,060 81,706 71,316 61,581 39,035 33,668 373,365

2032 .................. 86,375 82,169 71,645 61,830 38,811 34,848 375,677

2033 .................. 86,673 82,639 71,988 62,093 38,541 36,002 377,936

2034 .................. 86,957 83,102 72,363 62,294 38,316 37,111 380,143
27

2010 SSI Annual Report

Table IV.A2.—SSI Federal Benefit Rate Increases and Levels: Historical and Projected on the Basis of the Intermediate

Assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report, 1974-2034

Year

Benefit rate

increase a

a Increases prior to 1984 were effective for the payment due on July 1 of the year. Increases shown for 1984 and later are effective for the payment due on

January 1 of the year.

Federal benefit rate

Individual Couple Essential person b

b A concept carried over from the former State assistance plans. There are currently fewer than 100 of those cases remaining.

Historical data:

Initial benefit paid January 1, 1974 c ...............

c Benefits paid in January, 1974 were based on the Federal benefit rates established by Public Law 92-603, enacted October 30, 1972: $130.00 for individuals; $195.00 for couples; and $65.00 for essential persons. Retroactive payments were subsequently made to adjust initial payments to the higher Federal

benefit rates established by Public Law 93-233, enacted December 31, 1973.

— $140.00 $210.00 $70.00

1974....................................................... d 4.3%

d Ad hoc increases as specified in the law.

146.00 219.00 73.00

1975....................................................... 8.0 157.70 236.60 78.90

1976....................................................... 6.4 167.80 251.80 84.00

1977....................................................... 5.9 177.80 266.70 89.00

1978....................................................... 6.5 189.40 284.10 94.80

1979....................................................... 9.9 208.20 312.30 104.20

1980....................................................... 14.3 238.00 357.00 119.20

1981....................................................... 11.2 264.70 397.00 132.60

1982....................................................... 7.4 284.30 426.40 142.50

1983....................................................... d 7.0 304.30 456.40 152.50

1984....................................................... 3.5 314.00 472.00 157.00

1985....................................................... 3.5 325.00 488.00 163.00

1986....................................................... 3.1 336.00 504.00 168.00

1987....................................................... 1.3 340.00 510.00 170.00

1988....................................................... 4.2 354.00 532.00 177.00

1989....................................................... 4.0 368.00 553.00 184.00

1990....................................................... 4.7 386.00 579.00 193.00

1991....................................................... 5.4 407.00 610.00 204.00

1992....................................................... 3.7 422.00 633.00 211.00

1993....................................................... 3.0 434.00 652.00 217.00

1994....................................................... 2.6 446.00 669.00 223.00

1995....................................................... 2.8 458.00 687.00 229.00

1996....................................................... 2.6 470.00 705.00 235.00

1997....................................................... 2.9 484.00 726.00 242.00

1998....................................................... 2.1 494.00 741.00 247.00

1999....................................................... 1.3 500.00 751.00 250.00

2000....................................................... e 2.5

e Originally determined as 2.4 percent, but pursuant to Public Law 106-554, enacted December 21, 2000, is effectively now 2.5 percent.

f

 513.00

f Benefits originally paid in 2000 and through July 2001 were based on Federal benefit rates of $512.00 and $530.00, respectively. Pursuant to Public Law

106-554, monthly payments beginning in August 2001 were effectively based on the higher $531 amount. Lump-sum compensation payments were made

based on an adjusted benefit rate for months prior to August 2001.

769.00 257.00

2001....................................................... 3.5 f 531.00 796.00 266.00

2002....................................................... 2.6 545.00 817.00 273.00

2003....................................................... 1.4 552.00 829.00 277.00

2004....................................................... 2.1 564.00 846.00 282.00

2005....................................................... 2.7 579.00 869.00 290.00

2006....................................................... 4.1 603.00 904.00 302.00

2007....................................................... 3.3 623.00 934.00 312.00

2008....................................................... 2.3 637.00 956.00 319.00

2009....................................................... 5.8 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

2010....................................................... 0.0 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

Projected:

2011....................................................... 0.0 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

2012....................................................... 1.2 682.00 1,023.00 342.00

2013....................................................... 2.4 699.00 1,048.00 350.00

2014....................................................... 2.7 717.00 1,076.00 359.00

2015....................................................... 2.8 738.00 1,106.00 369.00

2016....................................................... 2.8 758.00 1,137.00 380.00

2017....................................................... 2.8 779.00 1,169.00 390.00

2018....................................................... 2.8 801.00 1,202.00 401.00

2019....................................................... 2.8 824.00 1,236.00 413.00

2020....................................................... 2.8 847.00 1,270.00 424.00

2021....................................................... 2.8 871.00 1,306.00 436.00

2022....................................................... 2.8 895.00 1,343.00 448.00

2023....................................................... 2.8 920.00 1,380.00 461.00

2024....................................................... 2.8 946.00 1,419.00 474.00

2025....................................................... 2.8 972.00 1,459.00 487.00

2026....................................................... 2.8 1,000.00 1,499.00 501.00

2027....................................................... 2.8 1,028.00 1,541.00 515.00

2028....................................................... 2.8 1,056.00 1,585.00 529.00

2029....................................................... 2.8 1,086.00 1,629.00 544.00

2030....................................................... 2.8 1,116.00 1,675.00 559.00

2031....................................................... 2.8 1,148.00 1,721.00 575.00

2032....................................................... 2.8 1,180.00 1,770.00 591.00

2033....................................................... 2.8 1,213.00 1,819.00 608.00

2034....................................................... 2.8 1,247.00 1,870.00 625.00
2010 SSI Annual Report

28

As described in section III.D.1, the monthly Federal benefit rate is adjusted in January of each year for all

recipients to reflect the increase in the CPI generally from the third quarter of the second prior calendar

year to the third quarter of the prior calendar year. This cost-of-living adjustment is identical to the adjustment applied to Social Security benefits under the OASDI program after initial benefit eligibility. In previous years, occasional ad hoc increases were also applied to the Federal benefit rates, either in place of or in

addition to the automatic adjustments. The history of legislation affecting the Federal benefit rates is presented in table V.A1. It is worth noting that the benefit rate increases for January 1, 2010 and January 1,

2011 are both shown in table IV.A2 as 0.0 percent. These figures are consistent with the underlying

assumption that the CPI in 2010 will be below the actual level achieved in the third quarter of 2008 and

will not rise above that 2008 level until the second quarter of 2011.

Estimates presented in the sections that follow are based on the demographic and economic parameters

described in this section. For the purpose of making these estimates, it is assumed that no changes will

occur during the projection period in the present statutory provisions and regulations under which the SSI

program operates.
29

2010 SSI Annual Report

B. NUMBERS OF SSI PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

This section presents projections of the numbers of persons receiving Federal SSI payments by category

and age group.1 SSI recipients are categorized as (1) aged or (2) blind or disabled. The following paragraphs discuss the age groupings and recipient categories in more detail.

 • The aged category includes those individuals whose eligibility for SSI benefits is established based

on meeting the age-65-or-older requirement2 and other SSI eligibility requirements including income

and resource limits. In December 2009, there were 1.2 million aged recipients of Federally-administered SSI payments. 

 • The blind or disabled category includes those individuals whose eligibility is established based on

meeting the definition of blindness or disability and the applicable income and resource limits as well

as any other SSI eligibility requirements. This category is often subdivided into two subcategories

based on age: blind or disabled adults (age 18 or older) and blind or disabled children (under age 18).

In December 2009, there were 6.5 million blind or disabled recipients of Federally-administered SSI

payments. 

 — The blind or disabled adults subcategory includes those individuals age 18 or older who meet

the definition of blindness or disability for individuals age 18 or older and SSI income and

resource limits. Included in this category are students age 18 to 21 who must meet the adult definition of disability; they differ from other adults only in that they qualify for a special student

earned income exclusion. After attaining age 65, these individuals generally continue to be classified as blind or disabled adults (rather than aged). In December 2009, there were 5.3 million

blind or disabled recipients of Federally-administered SSI payments age 18 or older, including

840 thousand disabled or blind recipients age 65 or older.

 — The blind or disabled children subcategory includes those individuals whose eligibility is established based on meeting the definition of blindness or disability for individuals under age 18.

These children are subject to parent-to-child deeming until they reach the age of 18. At age 18

these individuals continue to be eligible for SSI if they meet the definition of blindness or disability for individuals age 18 or older as well as other eligibility criteria and, as a result, are

reclassified as blind or disabled adults. In December 2009, there were 1.2 million blind or disabled recipients of Federally-administered SSI payments who were under age 18.

Table IV.B1 presents historical and projected numbers of persons applying for SSI benefits, by calendar

year of application. Figure IV.B1 presents the same information in graphical form. Recent historical data

indicate that the number of applications grew fairly rapidly beginning in calendar year 2002 and that this

growth continued through calendar year 2005. The rate of growth in applications slowed significantly

from 2005 to 2007, but increased significantly again in 2008, with the actual number of applications for

2009 coming in 6.0 percent higher than was estimated in the 2009 Annual Report, largely due to the economic recession. The fairly rapid growth in applications from 2002 to 2004 was largely attributable to two

main factors: (1) the downturn in the economy that began early in 2001 and (2) implementation of the signature proxy process3 introduced by SSA in June 2004. The more recent large increase in applications is

1 Recipient flows are projected on a calendar-year-age basis, with activity throughout a given year tabulated according to age at the end of the calendar

year. Tabulations of recipients in current-payment status are provided as of December of each calendar year at which time calendar year of age and age last

birthday are the same. However, the tabulations that reflect activity throughout the calendar year are summarized according to calendar year of age and will

not correspond precisely to tabulations summarized according to age last birthday. For example, applications for the 0-17 age group for a given calendar year

include applications only for those individuals who are under 18 at the end of the calendar year.

2 Individuals may apply for SSI benefits based on age as of the day preceding their 65th birthday.

3 The signature proxy process eases the application process by eliminating the requirement for a signed paper application from SSI applicants filing claims

via the telephone. Previously, some portion of those telephone applicants never followed through with a signed paper application and as a result were not

counted as received applications. Under the signature proxy process, most of those previously uncounted applications are now reported in SSA workload

totals. However, many of these “new” applications are never completed with the required financial or medical evidence resulting in an increase in the number of recorded denials, but not a corresponding increase in the numbers of new SSI recipients.
2010 SSI Annual Report

30

a Based on data reported in the Integrated Workload Management System (formerly known as the District Office Workload Report).

b “All” column estimated by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics using a 10-percent sample and published in the SSI Annual Statistical

Report.

c Includes conversions from State programs and applications received in 1973.

d Fewer than 500.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B1.—SSI Federally-Administered Applications,a Calendar Years 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 b, c ... 125 590 626 1,303 158 20 1,434 1,496 2,822 2,931 5,752

1975 b....... 94 276 258 443 15 d 238 145 1,086 382 1,468

1976 ......... 82 260 250 384 8 d 175 80 984 254 1,239

1977 ......... 100 286 246 401 7 1 174 84 1,040 259 1,298

1978 ......... 94 276 256 413 7 d 170 88 1,046 258 1,304

1979 ......... 106 282 268 426 7 d 178 84 1,090 262 1,352

1980 ......... 122 310 272 438 8 1 187 89 1,151 276 1,427

1981 ......... 78 206 173 271 5 d 88 42 733 130 864

1982 ......... 88 246 206 278 11 1 93 48 830 141 971

1983 ......... 102 258 225 311 5 1 122 68 902 190 1,092

1984 ......... 103 267 247 321 7 d 178 108 944 286 1,230

1985 ......... 114 294 297 409 7 d 151 73 1,122 223 1,345

1986 ......... 122 316 334 426 7 1 150 81 1,205 231 1,437

1987 ......... 108 287 299 331 7 1 134 66 1,033 200 1,233

1988 ......... 114 282 301 317 7 1 131 69 1,021 200 1,221

1989 ......... 116 297 323 329 7 d 146 76 1,072 222 1,294

1990 ......... 149 335 380 356 6 d 156 71 1,226 227 1,454

1991 ......... 237 391 453 391 7 d 159 68 1,479 227 1,706

1992 ......... 339 453 522 407 8 d 163 64 1,728 226 1,955

1993 ......... 473 506 570 416 7 d 158 61 1,973 218 2,191

1994 ......... 517 492 571 402 6 d 136 52 1,989 188 2,177

1995 ......... 473 435 524 363 6 d 121 44 1,801 165 1,966

1996 ......... 431 393 500 345 9 1 108 44 1,678 153 1,831

1997 ......... 306 317 438 307 8 1 82 35 1,377 117 1,494

1998 ......... 318 317 453 331 9 1 96 39 1,428 136 1,563

1999 ......... 338 317 470 336 6 d 107 39 1,468 145 1,614

2000 ......... 337 321 486 341 6 d 102 39 1,493 140 1,633

2001 ......... 351 346 502 354 4 d 98 35 1,558 134 1,691

2002 ......... 385 388 550 384 4 d 105 38 1,711 142 1,853

2003 ......... 400 404 565 408 4 d 100 36 1,781 135 1,916

2004 ......... 420 438 604 452 4 d 101 37 1,919 138 2,057

2005 ......... 429 439 604 477 5 d 112 44 1,954 156 2,110

2006 ......... 415 437 584 484 4 d 109 41 1,925 150 2,075

2007 ......... 421 442 578 502 5 d 105 39 1,948 143 2,091

2008 ......... 434 482 593 535 5 d 109 38 2,048 147 2,195

2009 ......... 497 578 666 612 5 d 110 37 2,359 147 2,506

Projected:

2010 ......... 489 564 659 643 6 d 111 38 2,362 148 2,511

2011 ......... 506 570 666 661 6 d 121 38 2,409 158 2,567

2012 ......... 504 561 645 654 7 d 130 38 2,370 168 2,538

2013 ......... 449 493 560 579 6 d 136 39 2,087 174 2,261

2014 ......... 433 477 539 565 6 d 141 39 2,020 180 2,200

2015 ......... 428 474 537 564 6 d 146 40 2,008 186 2,194

2016 ......... 423 465 531 557 6 d 151 41 1,981 192 2,173

2017 ......... 421 460 528 551 6 d 156 42 1,966 198 2,165

2018 ......... 429 468 536 556 7 d 161 44 1,996 204 2,200

2019 ......... 440 480 548 567 7 d 166 45 2,042 211 2,253

2020 ......... 443 482 548 567 7 d 172 46 2,047 217 2,265

2021 ......... 446 484 549 566 7 d 176 48 2,052 224 2,276

2022 ......... 448 486 553 562 7 d 180 50 2,057 229 2,286

2023 ......... 450 488 559 556 8 d 183 52 2,061 235 2,296

2024 ......... 452 490 566 551 8 d 186 54 2,066 240 2,306

2025 ......... 454 491 574 545 8 d 189 56 2,072 245 2,317

2026 ......... 457 492 581 540 8 d 192 58 2,077 250 2,327

2027 ......... 459 493 588 536 8 d 193 60 2,083 253 2,336

2028 ......... 461 494 593 534 8 d 194 62 2,090 256 2,347

2029 ......... 462 496 598 534 8 d 195 64 2,098 259 2,357

2030 ......... 464 499 601 536 7 d 193 66 2,107 259 2,366

2031 ......... 465 501 604 538 7 d 191 69 2,116 259 2,376

2032 ......... 467 504 607 540 7 d 188 71 2,126 259 2,385

2033 ......... 468 507 611 542 7 d 187 73 2,135 260 2,395

2034 ......... 470 510 614 544 7 d 187 75 2,145 262 2,407
31

2010 SSI Annual Report

presumed to be attributable to the worsening economy. During the projected recession, higher levels of

unemployment are assumed to result in further sharp temporary increases in applications above the general

trend level. The elevated levels are assumed to subside as the economy recovers, and to briefly drop below

the general trend level on the assumption that some of the earlier additional applications will be cases that

would have applied in a later year. In the longer term, applications are estimated to grow roughly in line

with overall population growth, although the trend level of applications reflects a permanent upward shift

due to the signature proxy process.

The adjudication of these applications involves an evaluation of levels of income and resources available

to the applicants, as well as other eligibility factors including marital and citizenship status and living

arrangements. In addition, well over 90 percent of the applications are for disability benefits which generally require an evaluation of an alleged impairment by the appropriate State DDS. An unfavorable disability determination may then be appealed by the applicant through several administrative levels of appeal. If

all administrative levels of appeal are exhausted, the applicant may in turn carry his/her appeal to the Federal courts. Data on recent historical experience for this disability decision process are presented in section

V.C. 

Table IV.B2 and figure IV.B2 present historical and projected numbers of persons who start receiving SSI

payments as a result of this decision process. Individuals are counted as of the first month that they move

into SSI payment status. For this reason, we refer to these individuals as “new recipients” rather than

“awards.”1 During the 2002 to 2004 period, growth in new recipients did not keep pace with the growth in

applications. From 2005 to 2007, the numbers of new recipients declined even though there were more

applications during this period than in the preceding years. There were two main factors contributing to

the slower growth for new recipients as compared to applications: (1) since 2001 there was substantial 

 Figure IV.B1.—SSI Federally-Administered Applications by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035

[In thousands]

1 In addition, these counts differ slightly from other similar totals identified as “awards” and published by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics

(ORES) in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin. The ORES totals are similar in concept to those used in this report, but differ

slightly due to the timing of the action being tabulated. For example, ORES does not count a disability benefit as being awarded until the disability decision

is made. In contrast, under the procedures used in this report, individuals first coming on the SSI rolls through a finding of presumptive disability would be

counted as a “new recipient” in the first month of presumptive disability payment.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

Historical Projected

75 or older
2010 SSI Annual Report

32

a Represents period in which first payment was made, not date of first eligibility for payments.

b Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

c Totals for 1974 include recipients converted from previous State programs as well as new recipients to the SSI program during 1974. d Fewer than 500.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B2.—SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients, Calendar Years 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Calendar year a

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals b

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 c ...... 63 390 381 925 141 18 1,211 1,268 1,919 2,479 4,398

1975......... 58 133 105 272 16 d 216 131 584 347 931

1976......... 43 105 88 207 9 d 147 70 452 218 669

1977......... 48 104 84 184 8 1 140 69 429 209 637

1978......... 43 92 76 154 6 d 127 66 370 193 563

1979......... 44 87 62 133 4 d 116 53 330 169 499

1980......... 41 92 61 142 4 d 125 59 341 184 524

1981......... 37 77 49 106 3 d 80 37 272 117 389

1982......... 38 63 51 90 4 d 72 31 245 103 348

1983......... 47 88 62 117 3 d 95 51 317 146 463

1984......... 47 109 78 142 4 d 131 78 380 209 589

1985......... 48 104 80 148 4 d 106 46 384 152 536

1986......... 55 127 109 153 5 d 110 51 449 161 610

1987......... 48 119 106 157 5 d 116 52 435 167 602

1988......... 50 101 108 146 5 1 112 56 412 167 579

1989......... 48 113 115 155 5 d 127 62 436 189 625

1990......... 76 136 134 182 5 d 149 66 533 215 748

1991......... 126 146 172 200 6 d 139 54 650 193 844

1992......... 221 199 221 233 6 d 133 48 881 181 1,062

1993......... 235 194 221 225 6 d 136 49 881 185 1,066

1994......... 204 164 207 215 6 d 116 42 796 157 953

1995......... 177 147 207 218 5 d 105 36 755 141 895

1996......... 145 134 193 203 6 1 93 35 681 128 809

1997......... 116 111 171 178 4 d 68 25 580 93 673

1998......... 135 117 181 194 7 1 78 30 634 108 742

1999......... 140 114 186 195 5 d 88 33 640 120 760

2000......... 145 112 180 191 5 d 84 31 633 115 748

2001......... 157 121 185 198 4 d 79 28 665 107 772

2002......... 171 128 195 212 4 d 82 29 710 111 821

2003......... 180 132 194 214 4 d 77 27 724 104 828

2004......... 183 138 202 231 4 d 78 27 757 105 862

2005......... 178 131 192 238 4 d 81 29 744 111 854

2006......... 175 128 190 243 3 d 81 28 739 109 849

2007......... 172 128 186 252 3 d 75 27 741 103 844

2008......... 183 146 204 289 4 d 79 26 825 105 930

2009......... 198 161 214 322 4 d 80 26 900 106 1,006

Projected:

2010......... 203 168 226 356 5 d 80 26 959 106 1,065

2011......... 207 167 223 359 6 d 87 26 962 113 1,075

2012......... 208 165 217 355 6 d 95 26 951 121 1,072

2013......... 186 146 189 315 6 d 99 27 842 126 968

2014......... 179 141 180 303 6 d 103 27 809 131 940

2015......... 177 139 178 298 6 d 107 28 798 136 933

2016......... 175 138 176 292 6 d 112 29 787 141 928

2017......... 174 137 175 288 6 d 116 30 781 146 927

2018......... 177 140 178 291 7 d 120 31 792 151 943

2019......... 182 143 181 296 7 d 123 32 809 155 965

2020......... 183 143 181 296 7 d 127 33 811 160 970

2021......... 184 144 181 295 7 d 130 34 812 164 976

2022......... 185 145 183 293 7 d 133 36 813 169 981

2023......... 186 145 184 290 7 d 135 37 813 172 986

2024......... 187 146 187 287 8 d 137 38 814 176 990

2025......... 188 147 189 284 8 d 140 40 815 179 995

2026......... 188 147 192 282 8 d 141 41 816 182 998

2027......... 189 147 194 280 8 d 142 43 817 185 1,002

2028......... 190 147 196 278 8 d 143 44 819 187 1,006

2029......... 191 148 197 278 7 d 143 46 821 188 1,009

2030......... 191 149 198 278 7 d 141 47 823 188 1,012

2031......... 192 149 199 279 7 d 139 49 826 188 1,014

2032......... 192 150 200 280 7 d 138 50 829 188 1,017

2033......... 193 151 201 280 7 d 137 52 833 188 1,021

2034......... 193 152 203 281 7 d 136 53 836 189 1,025
33

2010 SSI Annual Report

growth in the numbers of claims pending adjudication which was consistent with a longer lag time

between application and the allowance decision; and (2) since the introduction of the signature proxy process there was a significant increase in the numbers of denials for applications where the applicant did not

meet the nonmedical criteria, causing a permanent downward shift in the allowance rate. Starting in 2008,

however, there was a substantial increase in the numbers of new recipients which was likely attributable

to: (1) the sharp increase in applications; (2) improvements in claims processing; and (3) an initiative to

accelerate the processing of cases pending adjudication thereby resulting in an increase in the number of

adjudications and allowances during this period. Similar to the growth in applications described above, the

total numbers of new recipients are projected to continue to increase, peaking in 2011 and reaching a relative low point by 2017. Over the longer term the numbers of new recipients are estimated to increase gradually in line with the projected growth in applications.

Some of the persons receiving SSI benefits in a year will be removed from current-payment status during

the year because of death or the loss of SSI eligibility. The loss of eligibility can occur either as the result

of a redetermination of the recipient’s nonmedical factors of eligibility, including income and resources, or

due to a determination that he/she is no longer disabled as defined under the Social Security Act, as a

result of a continuing disability review.1 For example, disabled children, upon attainment of age 18, lose

eligibility if they do not qualify for benefits under the disabled adult eligibility criteria. For purposes of

this presentation, we refer to the net reduction in the number of SSI recipients in payment status during a

period as the number of SSI terminations for that period. 

In the following tables, we have separated the numbers of persons moving out of payment status into those

leaving due to death (table IV.B3), and those leaving for all other reasons (table IV.B4). Table IV.B5 and

figure IV.B3 present historical and projected numbers of total terminations by calendar year. Actual numbers of terminations in 2009 were 10.5 percent higher than 2008 levels. This increase in the number of terminations appears to be attributable to two main factors. First, there has been a reduction in some 

 Figure IV.B2.—SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035

[In thousands]

1 Some historical details on income and resource redeterminations and the results of continuing disability reviews are presented in section V.D. Section V.E

presents information on certain incentive programs intended to encourage disabled SSI recipients to return to work.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older

Historical Projected
2010 SSI Annual Report

34

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B3.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Death, Calendar Years 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals a

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... b 3 8 34 7 2 40 97 55 137 192

1975 ......... 1 5 12 35 10 2 39 108 65 147 212

1976 ......... 2 5 9 36 12 1 34 103 64 137 201

1977 ......... 1 5 12 30 15 1 36 101 65 137 203

1978 ......... 2 5 8 34 16 2 31 95 67 126 193

1979 ......... 2 6 9 32 18 2 29 92 67 121 189

1980 ......... 3 5 9 31 22 1 27 100 71 127 198

1981 ......... 3 5 8 31 24 2 21 92 73 112 186

1982 ......... 3 4 8 28 21 2 16 80 65 96 161

1983 ......... 3 6 8 25 21 3 15 79 65 94 158

1984 ......... 3 4 9 29 18 5 13 83 67 96 163

1985 ......... 2 6 10 29 24 6 17 84 77 101 178

1986 ......... 2 8 12 28 22 8 15 83 80 98 178

1987 ......... 3 8 13 30 23 10 15 82 87 97 184

1988 ......... 5 8 14 31 25 12 16 81 95 97 191

1989 ......... 3 8 16 33 23 12 15 78 95 93 187

1990 ......... 4 9 18 36 22 14 16 75 103 92 194

1991 ......... 4 9 20 39 23 17 17 74 112 91 203

1992 ......... 4 11 22 38 22 15 16 69 111 84 195

1993 ......... 6 13 27 41 23 17 16 72 127 88 215

1994 ......... 6 14 27 41 23 17 16 69 127 85 212

1995 ......... 6 13 30 43 24 18 16 65 135 81 216

1996 ......... 7 12 30 44 24 18 16 67 135 83 218

1997 ......... 5 10 24 43 24 19 15 64 127 79 206

1998 ......... 5 9 24 43 25 20 14 64 127 78 205

1999 ......... 5 9 25 45 25 21 13 63 131 76 207

2000 ......... 5 8 27 46 25 21 12 61 132 73 205

2001 ......... 5 8 28 47 25 22 11 60 135 71 207

2002 ......... 5 8 28 49 24 21 11 58 135 70 205

2003 ......... 5 9 28 51 26 21 10 56 138 66 204

2004 ......... 5 8 27 52 25 22 10 56 140 65 205

2005 ......... 5 8 28 54 25 22 9 54 141 63 204

2006 ......... 5 8 27 55 25 22 9 54 143 62 205

2007 ......... 5 8 26 57 25 23 8 54 145 62 207

2008 ......... 5 8 25 60 25 21 8 53 144 62 206

2009 ......... 5 9 25 64 26 22 8 52 150 60 210

Projected:

2010 ......... 5 9 24 66 26 22 7 50 151 58 209

2011 ......... 5 9 25 70 26 24 7 50 158 58 216

2012 ......... 5 9 25 74 27 24 7 50 164 58 221

2013 ......... 5 10 24 77 27 25 7 50 168 58 225

2014 ......... 5 10 24 78 28 25 8 50 170 58 227

2015 ......... 5 10 23 78 29 26 8 50 171 58 229

2016 ......... 5 10 23 78 31 26 8 50 172 58 230

2017 ......... 5 10 23 77 32 27 8 50 172 58 230

2018 ......... 4 10 22 76 33 27 9 50 173 58 231

2019 ......... 4 10 22 75 34 27 9 50 174 59 232

2020 ......... 4 10 22 75 35 28 9 50 174 59 233

2021 ......... 4 10 22 74 37 28 10 50 175 60 235

2022 ......... 4 10 22 73 37 29 10 51 176 60 236

2023 ......... 4 10 22 72 38 30 10 51 176 61 237

2024 ......... 4 10 22 71 39 31 10 52 177 62 239

2025 ......... 4 10 23 70 39 32 10 52 177 63 240

2026 ......... 4 10 23 68 40 33 10 53 178 64 242

2027 ......... 4 10 23 67 40 35 10 54 178 65 243

2028 ......... 4 10 23 67 40 36 10 55 179 66 245

2029 ......... 4 10 23 66 40 37 10 57 180 67 247

2030 ......... 4 10 23 66 39 39 10 58 180 69 249

2031 ......... 4 10 23 66 39 40 10 60 181 70 251

2032 ......... 4 10 23 66 38 41 10 61 181 71 253

2033 ......... 4 10 23 65 37 43 10 63 182 73 255

2034 ......... 4 9 23 65 37 44 10 64 182 74 257

a Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

b Fewer than 500.
35

2010 SSI Annual Report

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Federally-administered State supplementary payment levels, which resulted in an increase in terminations

for State recipients not receiving Federal benefits. Second, there was a substantial increase in the number

of new SSI recipients concurrently eligible for OASDI disability benefits. Many of these concurrent recipients only received SSI benefits temporarily during the 5-month DI waiting period, but were terminated

from the SSI rolls once receipt of their higher OASDI benefits started. In addition, some increase in termiTable IV.B4.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Reasons Other Than Death, Calendar Years 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals a

a Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 5 33 34 69 12 2 27 29 154 56 210

1975 ......... 7 50 44 104 15 2 88 91 221 180 401

1976 ......... 11 70 61 139 24 1 107 133 306 240 546

1977 ......... 13 65 56 110 19 1 76 92 265 168 433

1978 ......... 11 64 49 97 18 1 64 86 241 150 391

1979 ......... 12 59 43 96 23 1 58 85 234 144 378

1980 ......... 19 48 43 80 23 1 44 77 214 121 334

1981 ......... 17 43 39 72 21 1 49 86 192 134 326

1982 ......... 19 48 43 79 23 1 50 87 212 137 348

1983 ......... 18 43 36 63 14 1 25 61 175 86 261

1984 ......... 13 51 37 77 21 1 37 60 200 98 298

1985 ......... 11 42 37 68 13 2 23 54 172 77 249

1986 ......... 18 49 47 73 16 3 34 60 206 94 300

1987 ......... 19 51 48 75 17 3 32 57 214 89 302

1988 ......... 19 52 51 74 15 5 33 59 216 93 309

1989 ......... 19 55 52 72 16 4 33 58 218 91 308

1990 ......... 14 52 57 73 17 8 40 68 221 108 330

1991 ......... 20 50 70 84 18 5 33 58 248 91 339

1992 ......... 39 68 94 103 19 8 34 56 329 90 419

1993 ......... 34 73 97 106 22 8 37 55 340 92 433

1994 ......... 41 73 101 107 18 8 32 49 348 81 429

1995 ......... 47 81 111 115 20 7 32 48 382 80 461

1996 ......... 47 89 128 119 21 8 29 49 413 78 491

1997 ......... 128 105 147 115 18 8 24 40 522 64 586

1998 ......... 67 89 112 110 19 8 22 38 406 61 466

1999 ......... 119 111 120 116 20 9 24 43 495 68 563

2000 ......... 84 99 111 112 22 9 22 38 437 61 498

2001 ......... 65 95 111 118 20 9 22 38 418 60 478

2002 ......... 78 100 122 133 20 9 20 35 463 55 517

2003 ......... 72 95 122 135 20 9 20 36 453 56 509

2004 ......... 85 101 136 156 23 9 24 38 510 62 572

2005 ......... 64 101 129 157 20 8 15 30 479 45 524

2006 ......... 56 96 131 162 21 8 19 30 473 50 522

2007 ......... 46 108 124 160 20 8 18 29 466 48 513

2008 ......... 63 112 131 185 20 8 18 27 518 45 563

2009 ......... 61 124 141 214 27 10 25 37 576 63 639

Projected:

2010 ......... 57 121 138 213 19 8 18 28 555 47 602

2011 ......... 50 122 126 206 20 8 21 29 532 50 582

2012 ......... 61 113 108 188 21 9 22 30 500 53 552

2013 ......... 68 127 119 204 23 9 22 30 550 53 602

2014 ......... 67 131 118 208 24 9 23 30 558 53 611

2015 ......... 64 133 116 209 25 10 23 32 558 55 613

2016 ......... 65 136 115 208 27 11 24 34 561 58 619

2017 ......... 59 141 116 208 28 12 25 35 564 60 624

2018 ......... 62 144 116 206 30 12 26 35 570 61 631

2019 ......... 76 143 116 204 31 12 27 35 583 62 644

2020 ......... 79 146 118 204 32 12 28 35 591 63 654

2021 ......... 81 149 119 204 34 13 29 36 599 65 664

2022 ......... 80 149 120 202 35 13 29 37 598 66 665

2023 ......... 78 150 122 199 35 14 30 38 598 68 667

2024 ......... 78 151 124 197 36 14 31 39 600 70 670

2025 ......... 77 152 126 194 37 15 31 40 601 72 673

2026 ......... 77 152 128 192 37 15 32 41 602 73 676

2027 ......... 78 152 130 191 37 16 32 43 604 75 679

2028 ......... 78 152 132 189 38 17 33 44 605 77 682

2029 ......... 78 152 133 189 38 18 33 46 607 79 685

2030 ......... 78 152 134 189 37 18 33 47 609 80 689

2031 ......... 78 153 135 189 37 19 33 49 611 82 693

2032 ......... 79 153 135 190 36 20 33 51 614 83 697

2033 ......... 79 154 136 191 36 20 32 52 616 85 701

2034 ......... 79 154 137 191 36 21 32 54 619 86 705
2010 SSI Annual Report

36

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

nations was attributable to an increase in the numbers of continuing disability reviews (CDRs) and nonmedical redeterminations processed, although those workloads are still subject to constraints on Agency

administrative resources. Projected terminations reflect an assumed return to recent historical levels for

State-only recipients as well as a return over time to processing schedules for both CDRs and nonmedical

redeterminations consistent with more resources being made available to SSA to carry out these legislatively mandated workloads. 

Table IV.B5.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations for All Reasons, Calendar Years 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals a

a Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ........ 5 36 42 103 19 4 67 126 209 193 402

1975 ........ 8 55 56 140 25 3 127 199 287 326 613

1976 ........ 13 75 71 174 35 3 141 236 371 377 748

1977 ........ 14 71 68 140 34 3 112 194 330 305 636

1978 ........ 14 70 58 130 34 3 94 181 308 276 584

1979 ........ 13 65 52 128 41 2 88 177 301 265 566

1980 ........ 22 53 52 111 45 2 70 177 284 248 532

1981 ........ 20 48 47 103 45 3 69 177 266 246 512

1982 ........ 21 52 51 107 43 2 65 168 277 233 510

1983 ........ 21 49 44 87 34 4 39 140 240 180 419

1984 ........ 16 55 46 106 39 6 50 144 267 194 461

1985 ........ 13 47 47 97 37 8 40 138 249 178 427

1986 ........ 21 58 59 101 38 11 48 143 287 192 478

1987 ........ 22 59 61 106 40 13 47 138 301 185 486

1988 ........ 24 60 65 105 39 18 49 140 311 189 500

1989 ........ 22 63 69 105 39 15 47 136 312 183 496

1990 ........ 18 61 75 109 39 22 56 144 324 200 524

1991 ........ 25 60 90 123 40 22 50 132 360 182 542

1992 ........ 42 78 115 140 41 23 50 125 440 175 614

1993 ........ 40 86 124 148 45 24 54 127 467 181 648

1994 ........ 47 87 128 148 41 24 48 118 475 166 642

1995 ........ 54 94 142 158 44 25 47 113 517 160 677

1996 ........ 54 101 158 163 45 27 45 116 548 161 710

1997 ........ 133 116 172 159 43 26 39 105 648 143 792

1998 ........ 73 98 136 153 44 29 36 102 533 138 671

1999 ........ 124 120 146 161 45 31 38 106 626 144 770

2000 ........ 89 107 138 159 46 29 35 99 569 134 703

2001 ........ 70 103 139 166 45 31 34 98 554 132 685

2002 ........ 83 108 150 182 44 30 31 93 598 124 722

2003 ........ 76 104 149 186 46 30 31 92 591 122 713

2004 ........ 90 109 163 208 48 31 34 93 650 127 777

2005 ........ 69 109 157 211 45 30 24 84 621 107 728

2006 ........ 61 104 158 217 46 31 28 84 615 112 727

2007 ........ 51 116 150 218 46 31 27 83 610 110 720

2008 ........ 68 120 155 245 45 29 26 80 663 106 769

2009 ........ 66 133 166 278 52 32 33 90 726 123 849

Projected:

2010 ........ 62 129 162 278 45 30 26 78 706 104 811

2011 ........ 55 131 150 276 46 32 28 80 690 108 798

2012 ........ 66 123 132 262 48 33 30 81 663 110 773

2013 ........ 73 136 144 281 50 34 30 80 718 110 828

2014 ........ 72 140 142 286 52 35 30 80 727 111 838

2015 ........ 69 143 139 287 55 36 31 82 729 113 841

2016 ........ 69 146 138 286 57 37 32 83 733 115 848

2017 ........ 63 151 139 286 60 38 33 85 737 118 855

2018 ........ 66 154 139 282 63 39 34 85 743 119 862

2019 ........ 81 153 139 279 65 39 35 85 756 120 877

2020 ........ 83 156 140 279 68 40 37 85 765 122 888

2021 ........ 86 159 141 278 70 41 38 86 774 124 899

2022 ........ 84 159 142 275 72 42 39 88 774 127 901

2023 ........ 83 160 144 271 73 44 40 89 775 129 904

2024 ........ 82 161 146 267 75 45 41 91 777 132 908

2025 ........ 81 162 149 264 76 47 42 93 779 134 913

2026 ........ 81 162 151 261 77 49 42 95 780 137 917

2027 ........ 81 162 153 258 77 51 43 97 782 140 922

2028 ........ 82 162 155 256 77 53 43 100 784 143 927

2029 ........ 82 162 156 255 77 55 43 102 786 146 932

2030 ........ 82 162 157 254 77 57 44 105 789 149 938

2031 ........ 82 162 158 255 76 59 43 108 792 152 944

2032 ........ 82 163 159 256 74 61 43 112 795 155 950

2033 ........ 83 163 160 256 73 63 43 115 798 158 956

2034 ........ 83 164 161 257 73 65 42 118 801 161 962
37

2010 SSI Annual Report

Combining the number of persons coming on the SSI payment rolls during a year with the number of those

already receiving benefits at the beginning of the year, and subtracting the number leaving the rolls during

the year, yields the number of persons receiving Federally-administered SSI payments at the end of the

specified period. Individuals receiving Federal SSI payments, who comprise the great majority of Federally-administered recipients, are presented in table IV.B6 and in figure IV.B4. The net effect of actual

experience in 2009 was that the number of Federal SSI recipients at the end of 2009 was about 2.8 percent

higher than the corresponding number at the end of 2008, but relatively close to what was projected in last

year’s report.

 Figure IV.B3.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2035

[In thousands]

Table IV.B6.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 70 338 321 756 109 13 1,010 1,019 1,606 2,029 3,635

1975 ......... 106 395 352 838 164 14 963 1,062 1,869 2,025 3,893

1976 ......... 124 420 352 813 208 14 864 1,003 1,932 1,867 3,799

1977 ......... 147 442 358 800 249 16 785 980 2,013 1,765 3,778

1978 ......... 165 460 361 791 277 16 728 958 2,069 1,686 3,755

1979 ......... 176 472 359 764 307 16 656 938 2,094 1,593 3,687

1980 ......... 188 500 351 750 342 17 609 925 2,149 1,533 3,682

1981 ......... 194 514 349 720 366 17 541 888 2,160 1,430 3,590

1982 ......... 191 517 346 683 386 21 459 871 2,144 1,329 3,473

1983 ......... 198 555 366 692 412 28 449 890 2,250 1,339 3,590

1984 ......... 210 595 393 700 406 48 463 884 2,352 1,347 3,699

1985 ......... 226 634 426 717 402 72 462 860 2,477 1,322 3,799

1986 ......... 240 688 475 739 397 91 465 827 2,630 1,291 3,922

1987 ......... 249 717 524 756 392 113 464 804 2,751 1,268 4,019

1988 ......... 254 738 564 774 387 127 468 777 2,844 1,245 4,089

1989 ......... 263 757 613 799 382 145 488 760 2,959 1,247 4,206

1990 ......... 306 788 677 840 389 156 508 749 3,156 1,257 4,412

1991 ......... 395 833 769 897 390 166 542 736 3,451 1,279 4,730

1992 ......... 555 920 877 970 402 173 577 727 3,898 1,304 5,202

1993 ......... 721 990 979 1,034 410 179 604 720 4,312 1,324 5,636

1994 ......... 839 1,032 1,071 1,089 425 182 610 716 4,638 1,326 5,965

1995 ......... 915 1,058 1,150 1,134 435 188 601 713 4,880 1,315 6,194

1996 ......... 954 1,066 1,198 1,176 444 192 586 711 5,029 1,296 6,326

1997 ......... 878 1,039 1,196 1,198 457 193 547 704 4,960 1,251 6,212

1998 ......... 885 1,038 1,238 1,243 464 197 521 705 5,063 1,226 6,289

1999 ......... 845 1,005 1,274 1,278 474 195 499 704 5,072 1,203 6,275

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Calendar year

Historical Projected

75 or older

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17
2010 SSI Annual Report

38

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Historical data: (Cont.)

2000 ......... 844 994 1,303 1,313 484 196 483 703 5,134 1,186 6,320

2001 ......... 879 995 1,329 1,353 493 196 461 703 5,245 1,165 6,410

2002 ......... 912 1,002 1,344 1,394 502 200 447 705 5,354 1,152 6,505

2003 ......... 956 1,023 1,353 1,436 511 204 430 703 5,482 1,133 6,614

2004 ......... 990 1,044 1,350 1,476 515 208 412 699 5,584 1,111 6,695

2005 ......... 1,034 1,065 1,347 1,523 522 215 408 705 5,706 1,113 6,819

2006 ......... 1,076 1,095 1,334 1,575 529 220 405 704 5,830 1,109 6,939

2007 ......... 1,119 1,124 1,316 1,634 540 228 397 704 5,960 1,101 7,061

2008 ......... 1,151 1,173 1,306 1,704 550 234 396 704 6,119 1,100 7,219

2009 ......... 1,198 1,229 1,302 1,793 559 241 396 704 6,322 1,101 7,423

Projected:

2010 ......... 1,254 1,290 1,301 1,900 569 250 397 704 6,564 1,101 7,665

2011 ......... 1,317 1,350 1,310 2,006 584 258 402 702 6,825 1,104 7,930

2012 ......... 1,368 1,414 1,334 2,115 607 266 411 701 7,105 1,112 8,217

2013 ......... 1,390 1,443 1,321 2,163 633 273 425 700 7,223 1,125 8,348

2014 ......... 1,404 1,462 1,302 2,189 661 279 441 700 7,298 1,141 8,438

2015 ......... 1,415 1,479 1,291 2,199 691 284 460 700 7,359 1,160 8,519

2016 ......... 1,421 1,494 1,287 2,192 723 288 482 700 7,405 1,182 8,587

2017 ......... 1,428 1,506 1,286 2,175 755 294 503 704 7,444 1,206 8,650

2018 ......... 1,432 1,521 1,291 2,159 789 299 524 710 7,490 1,234 8,724

2019 ......... 1,425 1,540 1,297 2,149 825 303 548 717 7,539 1,265 8,804

2020 ......... 1,417 1,554 1,303 2,140 859 309 575 723 7,581 1,299 8,880

2021 ......... 1,406 1,567 1,310 2,125 890 319 595 740 7,616 1,334 8,950

2022 ......... 1,397 1,580 1,323 2,103 916 332 608 764 7,652 1,372 9,024

2023 ......... 1,390 1,593 1,342 2,078 940 346 623 788 7,688 1,411 9,099

2024 ......... 1,382 1,603 1,363 2,053 962 360 638 813 7,724 1,451 9,175

2025 ......... 1,375 1,610 1,388 2,028 982 376 653 840 7,759 1,492 9,251

2026 ......... 1,374 1,612 1,412 2,005 998 392 665 868 7,793 1,534 9,326

2027 ......... 1,375 1,614 1,432 1,987 1,010 409 676 899 7,826 1,575 9,401

2028 ......... 1,377 1,617 1,449 1,972 1,018 426 684 930 7,859 1,615 9,474

2029 ......... 1,381 1,622 1,462 1,963 1,021 444 690 963 7,893 1,654 9,546

2030 ......... 1,385 1,627 1,472 1,963 1,018 461 693 997 7,926 1,690 9,616

2031 ......... 1,391 1,631 1,481 1,968 1,010 478 693 1,031 7,959 1,723 9,683

2032 ......... 1,397 1,636 1,490 1,976 999 495 689 1,065 7,993 1,754 9,746

2033 ......... 1,403 1,640 1,501 1,983 989 510 684 1,098 8,026 1,782 9,808

2034 ......... 1,408 1,644 1,512 1,988 983 525 678 1,130 8,060 1,808 9,868

 Figure IV.B4.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status, by Age Group, 

as of December, 1975-2035

[In thousands]

Table IV.B6.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034 (Cont.)

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older

Historical Projected
39

2010 SSI Annual Report

As illustrated in figure IV.B4, the implementation of Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193

resulted in a decline in the Federal recipient population from 1996 to 1997. From the end of 1997 through

the end of 2000, the Federal SSI recipient population grew at an annual rate of less than 1 percent. From

the end of 2000 to the end of 2009, the growth rate for the Federal SSI recipient population averaged

1.8 percent per year. However, as described earlier, the impact of the ongoing economic recession on

applications and new recipients is projected to result in more rapid growth with year-to-year increases

from the end of 2009 through the end of 2012 averaging approximately 3.4 percent. Beginning in 2013,

the growth in the projected numbers of Federal SSI recipients returns to a rate of about 1 percent per year

over the remainder of the 25-year projection period. In order to place this projected growth in the context

of overall population growth, table IV.B7 and figure IV.B5 present Federal SSI recipients as percentages of

selected Social Security Area population totals.

Table IV.B7.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as a Percentage of 

Selected Social Security Area Population Totals, as of December, 1974-2034

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disableda Agedb Allc

Historical data:

1974 ........ 0.10 0.56 0.88 2.29 0.77 0.14 7.21 11.26 0.72 8.80 1.63

1975 ........ .15 .63 .97 2.51 1.14 .15 6.71 11.42 .83 8.56 1.73

1976 ........ .18 .65 .96 2.42 1.42 .14 5.90 10.46 .85 7.71 1.67

1977 ........ .22 .67 .97 2.36 1.66 .17 5.23 9.98 .88 7.11 1.65

1978 ........ .25 .68 .96 2.32 1.81 .16 4.75 9.50 .89 6.63 1.62

1979 ........ .27 .68 .94 2.23 1.97 .15 4.19 9.04 .90 6.13 1.58

1980 ........ .29 .71 .90 2.18 2.14 .16 3.82 8.68 .91 5.77 1.56

1981 ........ .30 .72 .87 2.09 2.26 .16 3.34 8.09 .91 5.26 1.50

1982 ........ .29 .71 .83 1.99 2.34 .19 2.78 7.70 .89 4.78 1.44

1983 ........ .30 .76 .85 2.02 2.46 .24 2.68 7.65 .92 4.72 1.47

1984 ........ .32 .81 .88 2.05 2.39 .40 2.73 7.40 .96 4.66 1.50

1985 ........ .35 .86 .92 2.11 2.32 .58 2.67 7.01 1.00 4.47 1.53

1986 ........ .37 .94 .99 2.18 2.26 .73 2.64 6.58 1.05 4.28 1.56

1987 ........ .38 .97 1.06 2.24 2.20 .87 2.59 6.25 1.09 4.12 1.59

1988 ........ .38 1.00 1.10 2.29 2.14 .97 2.59 5.89 1.11 3.98 1.60

1989 ........ .40 1.03 1.16 2.36 2.09 1.07 2.67 5.61 1.14 3.92 1.63

1990 ........ .45 1.08 1.24 2.47 2.10 1.12 2.74 5.40 1.21 3.88 1.69

1991 ........ .58 1.15 1.36 2.62 2.08 1.17 2.89 5.18 1.30 3.88 1.79

1992 ........ .80 1.29 1.51 2.79 2.12 1.19 3.05 5.00 1.46 3.89 1.94

1993 ........ 1.02 1.40 1.64 2.91 2.15 1.21 3.16 4.85 1.59 3.90 2.08

1994 ........ 1.17 1.48 1.75 3.02 2.22 1.20 3.19 4.72 1.70 3.87 2.18

1995 ........ 1.27 1.53 1.82 3.09 2.27 1.21 3.14 4.60 1.77 3.79 2.25

1996 ........ 1.31 1.55 1.86 3.11 2.33 1.21 3.07 4.48 1.80 3.71 2.27

1997 ........ 1.20 1.52 1.84 3.04 2.41 1.19 2.89 4.34 1.76 3.56 2.21

1998 ........ 1.20 1.52 1.88 3.05 2.46 1.19 2.77 4.27 1.78 3.47 2.21

1999 ........ 1.14 1.47 1.91 3.02 2.54 1.16 2.67 4.19 1.77 3.39 2.19

2000 ........ 1.14 1.45 1.94 3.00 2.59 1.15 2.59 4.13 1.78 3.32 2.19

2001 ........ 1.18 1.45 1.97 2.98 2.65 1.14 2.48 4.07 1.80 3.24 2.20

2002 ........ 1.22 1.46 1.99 2.97 2.68 1.14 2.39 4.03 1.82 3.18 2.21

2003 ........ 1.27 1.48 2.00 2.95 2.71 1.15 2.28 3.98 1.85 3.10 2.23

2004 ........ 1.31 1.50 2.00 2.93 2.70 1.16 2.16 3.91 1.86 3.01 2.23

2005 ........ 1.36 1.53 1.99 2.92 2.70 1.19 2.11 3.90 1.89 2.98 2.25

2006 ........ 1.42 1.56 1.98 2.92 2.68 1.21 2.05 3.86 1.91 2.92 2.27

2007 ........ 1.47 1.59 1.96 2.94 2.64 1.24 1.94 3.83 1.93 2.84 2.29

2008 ........ 1.51 1.63 1.96 2.99 2.60 1.26 1.87 3.80 1.96 2.77 2.32

2009 ........ 1.56 1.69 1.97 3.06 2.56 1.30 1.81 3.78 2.01 2.72 2.36

Projected:

2010 ........ 1.63 1.75 1.99 3.15 2.54 1.33 1.77 3.75 2.07 2.67 2.41

2011 ........ 1.71 1.81 2.03 3.26 2.50 1.36 1.72 3.71 2.13 2.61 2.48

2012 ........ 1.77 1.88 2.08 3.39 2.46 1.39 1.67 3.67 2.20 2.54 2.54

2013 ........ 1.78 1.90 2.07 3.42 2.45 1.41 1.65 3.61 2.22 2.49 2.56

2014 ........ 1.79 1.91 2.05 3.42 2.46 1.42 1.64 3.56 2.22 2.45 2.57

2015 ........ 1.79 1.93 2.03 3.41 2.47 1.42 1.64 3.51 2.22 2.42 2.57

2016 ........ 1.79 1.94 2.01 3.38 2.49 1.42 1.66 3.44 2.21 2.39 2.57

2017 ........ 1.79 1.94 2.00 3.35 2.51 1.41 1.67 3.36 2.21 2.37 2.56

2018 ........ 1.78 1.95 2.00 3.32 2.54 1.39 1.69 3.30 2.20 2.35 2.56

2019 ........ 1.76 1.97 2.01 3.30 2.57 1.37 1.70 3.24 2.20 2.33 2.57
2010 SSI Annual Report

40

For the totals shown in table IV.B7, the percentages are calculated using the population age group totals

corresponding to the age groups in the Federal recipient categories. Since the ratios for the separate recipient categories are computed as percentages of differing base populations, the percentage for the total SSI

recipient population is not the arithmetic sum of the percentages for the respective recipient categories. As

indicated in the table, the percentage of the total Social Security Area population who were receiving Federal SSI payments declined from 1975 through the early 1980s. In 1983, this percentage started increasing

and continued to increase through 1996. Due to factors described previously, the percentage of the total

population receiving Federal SSI payments declined in 1997, but leveled out over the next few years. It

has increased slightly over the past few years and is expected to increase gradually over the projection

period, due largely to the changing age distribution of the underlying population. 

The various subcategories of Federal SSI recipients, however, follow significantly different growth patterns in relationship to their respective population totals. The aged Federal SSI recipient population

declines steadily as a percentage of the 65 or older population throughout the historical period and most of

the projection period, with the decline leveling off near the end of the projection period. In contrast, except

for decreases in the late 1990s due to the eligibility redeterminations and continuing disability reviews

mandated by Public Law 104-193, the number of blind or disabled children receiving Federal SSI payments increased steadily throughout the historical period as a percentage of the under age 18 population,

with the increase being quite steep in the early 1990s. The total blind or disabled Federal SSI recipient

population as a percentage of the total population remained fairly level until the early 1980s when it

started increasing and continued to increase through 1996. The proportion of the population receiving SSI

blind or disabled benefits declined slightly in the late 1990s due to the implementation of welfare reform

legislation, but resumed its upward trend in 2000. That upward trend has continued through 2009, and is

estimated to continue through 2014, reaching more than 2.2 percent of the total population. In the later

years of the projection period, the percentage is expected to gradually decline under the assumption that

SSA will receive the resources necessary to carry out the normal CDR and nonmedical redetermination

workloads.

Projected: (Cont.)

2020 ........ 1.74 1.98 2.01 3.28 2.57 1.37 1.72 3.20 2.19 2.32 2.57

2021 ........ 1.72 1.98 2.02 3.27 2.60 1.36 1.74 3.15 2.18 2.31 2.57

2022 ........ 1.70 1.99 2.02 3.25 2.62 1.35 1.74 3.10 2.18 2.30 2.57

2023 ........ 1.68 2.00 2.03 3.24 2.63 1.35 1.74 3.07 2.17 2.30 2.57

2024 ........ 1.66 2.01 2.03 3.23 2.64 1.35 1.75 3.05 2.16 2.30 2.57

2025 ........ 1.65 2.01 2.04 3.22 2.64 1.36 1.75 3.04 2.16 2.30 2.57

2026 ........ 1.64 2.01 2.05 3.21 2.63 1.36 1.75 3.02 2.15 2.30 2.58

2027 ........ 1.63 2.01 2.06 3.20 2.63 1.37 1.76 3.02 2.15 2.31 2.58

2028 ........ 1.62 2.00 2.06 3.20 2.62 1.38 1.76 3.01 2.14 2.31 2.58

2029 ........ 1.62 2.00 2.07 3.19 2.61 1.38 1.76 3.00 2.14 2.32 2.58

2030 ........ 1.62 2.00 2.07 3.19 2.60 1.39 1.77 3.00 2.13 2.33 2.58

2031 ........ 1.62 1.99 2.07 3.19 2.59 1.39 1.78 2.99 2.13 2.35 2.59

2032 ........ 1.62 1.99 2.08 3.19 2.58 1.39 1.78 2.99 2.12 2.36 2.59

2033 ........ 1.62 1.98 2.08 3.19 2.57 1.39 1.78 2.99 2.12 2.37 2.59

2034 ........ 1.63 1.97 2.08 3.19 2.57 1.39 1.77 2.99 2.12 2.38 2.59

a Blind or disabled recipients as a percentage of the total Social Security Area population.

b Aged recipients as a percentage of the 65 or older Social Security Area population.

c Total recipients as a percentage of the total Social Security Area population. Totals do not equal sums of components due to overlapping populations.

Table IV.B7.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as a Percentage of 

Selected Social Security Area Population Totals, as of December, 1974-2034 (Cont.)

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disableda Agedb Allc
41

2010 SSI Annual Report

Historical and projected numbers of individuals who receive only a Federally-administered State supplement are presented in table IV.B8.

 Figure IV.B5.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as a Percentage of 

Selected Social Security Area Population Age Groups, as of December, 1975-2035

Table IV.B8.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementary Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 1 12 20 57 13 1 138 120 104 257 361

1975 ......... 1 15 25 74 21 2 144 138 139 282 421

1976 ......... 1 14 27 87 26 2 134 146 156 280 437

1977 ......... 1 16 27 94 35 2 136 150 174 286 460

1978 ......... 1 16 26 93 41 2 127 155 180 282 462

1979 ......... 1 18 25 89 49 2 121 157 184 278 462

1980 ......... 2 20 26 82 52 2 112 162 185 274 460

1981 ......... 1 19 26 75 58 2 94 155 181 248 429

1982 ......... 1 18 23 68 53 2 82 137 165 219 384

1983 ......... 1 17 19 50 44 4 65 111 136 176 312

1984 ......... 1 18 23 50 47 7 68 116 147 184 331

1985 ......... 1 21 28 53 45 8 67 115 157 182 339

1986 ......... 1 23 31 55 45 11 66 116 166 182 348

1987 ......... 1 26 36 60 43 12 72 115 178 187 366

1988 ......... 1 26 42 59 44 14 74 114 187 188 375

1989 ......... 2 28 45 60 45 16 76 115 195 192 387

1990 ......... 2 31 54 60 44 17 82 116 208 197 405

1991 ......... 2 29 54 59 42 17 78 108 203 186 389

1992 ......... 2 29 55 59 37 16 70 97 197 167 364

1993 ......... 2 29 58 59 34 15 64 88 197 151 348

1994 ......... 2 28 59 56 32 14 59 81 192 139 331

1995 ......... 3 25 59 56 32 14 54 77 188 131 320

1996 ......... 2 21 54 53 29 13 49 68 172 116 288

1997 ......... 2 20 55 53 29 13 46 65 172 111 283

1998 ......... 2 18 54 55 28 13 43 63 171 106 277

1999 ......... 2 18 57 58 28 13 43 62 177 105 282

2000 ......... 2 17 57 60 29 13 42 61 179 103 282

2001 ......... 2 17 56 62 29 12 41 59 179 100 278

2002 ......... 3 17 57 64 30 12 42 58 183 100 283

2003 ......... 3 18 58 67 30 12 42 58 188 100 288

2004 ......... 3 18 58 70 31 12 43 58 193 100 293

2005 ......... 3 18 56 73 31 12 44 58 193 102 295

2006 ......... 3 18 55 76 32 12 45 58 194 103 297

2007 ......... 2 18 53 77 32 12 46 57 195 103 298

2008 ......... 3 18 52 80 34 12 46 57 198 103 301

2009 ......... 2 16 43 69 29 11 38 48 168 85 254

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Year

0-17

18-34

35-49

50-64

65-74

75 or older

Total

Historical Projected
2010 SSI Annual Report

42

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

The combined numbers of persons receiving either a Federal SSI payment or a Federally-administered

State supplement are displayed in table IV.B9.

In examining the numbers of SSI recipients in the recent past and projections of such numbers for the near

future, certain patterns are worth noting. The rapid increase in the total number of SSI recipients in the

early 1990s is a function of the growth in the numbers of disabled adults and children. The growth in the

numbers of children receiving SSI resulted in large part from the Supreme Court decision in the case of

Sullivan v. Zebley, which greatly expanded the criteria used for determining disability for children. The

growth in the numbers of disabled adults is a more complicated phenomenon which is not completely

understood. However, extensive research conducted under contract to SSA and the Department of Health

and Human Services suggests that this growth was the result of a combination of factors including:

(1) demographic trends; (2) a downturn in the economy in the late 1980s and early 1990s; (3) long-term

structural changes in the economy; and (4) changes in other support programs (in particular, the reduction

or elimination of general assistance programs in certain States). The recent somewhat more modest

changes in program participation reflect the combined effects of recent legislation described in previous

sections, along with changes in some of the factors mentioned above.

Projected:

2010 ......... 2 18 44 75 30 11 39 48 179 87 266

2011 ......... 2 19 46 80 31 11 40 49 189 89 278

2012 ......... 2 20 46 85 34 11 42 50 198 92 289

2013 ......... 2 21 46 88 36 12 44 51 204 95 299

2014 ......... 3 22 46 91 38 12 46 52 212 99 310

2015 ......... 3 23 47 94 40 12 49 54 219 103 322

2016 ......... 3 24 48 97 43 13 52 55 227 107 334

2017 ......... 3 24 49 98 45 13 54 57 233 111 344

2018 ......... 3 25 49 99 47 14 57 58 236 115 352

2019 ......... 3 25 50 99 49 14 59 60 240 119 359

2020 ......... 3 25 50 99 52 14 62 61 243 123 366

2021 ......... 3 25 50 98 53 15 64 63 245 127 373

2022 ......... 3 26 51 97 55 16 65 66 248 132 379

2023 ......... 3 26 52 96 57 17 67 69 250 136 386

2024 ......... 3 26 53 95 58 17 69 71 252 140 392

2025 ......... 3 26 54 94 59 18 70 74 254 144 398

2026 ......... 3 26 54 93 60 19 71 77 256 148 404

2027 ......... 3 26 55 92 61 20 73 79 257 152 409

2028 ......... 3 26 56 91 61 21 73 82 258 156 414

2029 ......... 3 26 56 91 61 22 74 85 260 159 419

2030 ......... 3 26 57 91 61 22 74 88 261 163 423

2031 ......... 3 27 57 91 60 23 74 91 262 166 427

2032 ......... 3 27 58 91 60 24 74 95 263 168 431

2033 ......... 3 27 58 92 59 25 73 97 264 171 435

2034 ......... 3 27 59 92 59 26 73 100 265 173 438

Table IV.B8.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementary Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2034 (Cont.)

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All
43

2010 SSI Annual Report

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B9.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered Benefits in Current-Payment Status 

as of December, 1974-2034

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 71 349 341 813 122 14 1,148 1,138 1,710 2,286 3,996

1975 ......... 107 410 378 911 185 16 1,107 1,200 2,007 2,307 4,314

1976 ......... 125 434 379 900 234 15 999 1,149 2,088 2,148 4,236

1977 ......... 147 458 385 893 284 18 921 1,130 2,187 2,051 4,238

1978 ......... 166 476 387 884 319 17 855 1,113 2,249 1,968 4,217

1979 ......... 177 490 384 852 357 17 777 1,095 2,278 1,872 4,150

1980 ......... 190 521 377 833 393 20 721 1,086 2,334 1,808 4,142

1981 ......... 195 533 375 795 424 19 635 1,043 2,341 1,678 4,019

1982 ......... 192 535 369 751 439 23 541 1,008 2,309 1,549 3,858

1983 ......... 198 572 386 742 456 32 514 1,001 2,386 1,515 3,901

1984 ......... 212 613 417 751 453 54 531 999 2,499 1,530 4,029

1985 ......... 227 655 454 769 447 80 530 975 2,634 1,504 4,138

1986 ......... 241 711 506 794 442 102 531 942 2,796 1,473 4,269

1987 ......... 251 743 560 816 436 124 536 920 2,930 1,455 4,385

1988 ......... 255 764 606 833 431 142 543 891 3,030 1,433 4,464

1989 ......... 265 785 658 859 427 160 564 875 3,154 1,439 4,593

1990 ......... 309 819 731 900 432 172 589 865 3,363 1,454 4,817

1991 ......... 397 863 823 956 432 183 620 845 3,654 1,465 5,118

1992 ......... 556 949 932 1,029 440 189 647 824 4,095 1,471 5,566

1993 ......... 723 1,019 1,036 1,093 445 194 667 808 4,509 1,475 5,984

1994 ......... 841 1,060 1,130 1,146 457 196 669 797 4,830 1,466 6,296

1995 ......... 917 1,083 1,209 1,190 467 202 656 790 5,068 1,446 6,514

1996 ......... 955 1,087 1,252 1,229 472 205 634 778 5,201 1,413 6,614

1997 ......... 880 1,059 1,251 1,252 486 205 593 770 5,133 1,362 6,495

1998 ......... 887 1,056 1,292 1,298 492 209 564 768 5,234 1,332 6,566

1999 ......... 847 1,024 1,331 1,336 503 208 543 765 5,249 1,308 6,557

2000 ......... 847 1,011 1,360 1,373 513 209 525 764 5,312 1,289 6,602

2001 ......... 882 1,012 1,385 1,415 522 209 502 762 5,424 1,264 6,688

2002 ......... 915 1,019 1,401 1,458 532 212 489 763 5,536 1,252 6,788

2003 ......... 959 1,040 1,410 1,503 541 216 471 761 5,670 1,233 6,902

2004 ......... 993 1,062 1,408 1,546 546 221 455 756 5,777 1,211 6,988

2005 ......... 1,036 1,083 1,404 1,596 553 228 452 763 5,900 1,214 7,114

2006 ......... 1,079 1,113 1,388 1,651 560 232 450 762 6,024 1,212 7,236

2007 ......... 1,121 1,142 1,369 1,711 572 240 443 761 6,155 1,205 7,360

2008 ......... 1,154 1,191 1,358 1,784 584 246 442 761 6,317 1,203 7,521

2009 ......... 1,200 1,244 1,345 1,862 588 252 434 752 6,491 1,186 7,677

Projected:

2010 ......... 1,256 1,308 1,346 1,974 598 261 436 752 6,743 1,188 7,931

2011 ......... 1,319 1,369 1,356 2,087 616 269 442 751 7,015 1,193 8,208

2012 ......... 1,370 1,434 1,380 2,200 641 277 453 751 7,303 1,204 8,507

2013 ......... 1,392 1,464 1,367 2,251 669 285 469 751 7,427 1,220 8,647

2014 ......... 1,407 1,484 1,348 2,280 699 291 488 752 7,509 1,240 8,749

2015 ......... 1,418 1,501 1,338 2,293 731 296 509 754 7,578 1,263 8,841

2016 ......... 1,424 1,518 1,335 2,289 765 301 534 755 7,632 1,289 8,921

2017 ......... 1,431 1,530 1,335 2,273 800 307 557 760 7,676 1,317 8,994

2018 ......... 1,435 1,545 1,340 2,257 836 312 581 768 7,726 1,349 9,075

2019 ......... 1,428 1,565 1,347 2,247 874 317 607 777 7,779 1,384 9,163

2020 ......... 1,420 1,579 1,353 2,238 910 324 637 785 7,824 1,422 9,246

2021 ......... 1,409 1,592 1,360 2,223 943 334 659 803 7,861 1,462 9,323

2022 ......... 1,401 1,606 1,374 2,200 972 348 673 831 7,900 1,504 9,404

2023 ......... 1,393 1,618 1,393 2,174 997 363 690 857 7,938 1,547 9,485

2024 ......... 1,385 1,629 1,416 2,148 1,020 378 707 884 7,976 1,591 9,567

2025 ......... 1,378 1,636 1,442 2,122 1,042 394 723 913 8,013 1,636 9,649

2026 ......... 1,377 1,638 1,466 2,098 1,058 411 737 945 8,048 1,682 9,730

2027 ......... 1,378 1,640 1,487 2,079 1,071 429 749 978 8,083 1,727 9,810

2028 ......... 1,380 1,644 1,505 2,063 1,079 447 758 1,013 8,118 1,771 9,888

2029 ......... 1,384 1,648 1,519 2,054 1,083 465 764 1,049 8,152 1,813 9,965

2030 ......... 1,388 1,653 1,529 2,053 1,079 483 768 1,085 8,187 1,853 10,039

2031 ......... 1,394 1,658 1,539 2,059 1,070 501 767 1,122 8,221 1,889 10,110

2032 ......... 1,400 1,662 1,548 2,067 1,059 519 762 1,159 8,256 1,922 10,178

2033 ......... 1,406 1,667 1,559 2,075 1,049 535 757 1,195 8,290 1,952 10,243

2034 ......... 1,412 1,671 1,570 2,080 1,041 551 751 1,230 8,325 1,981 10,306
2010 SSI Annual Report

44

C. FEDERAL PAYMENTS UNDER SSI

In order to estimate future amounts of Federal expenditures under SSI, the projected Federal benefit rates

shown in table IV.A2 are first modified to reflect actual payment levels, taking into account historical and

projected levels of adjustments for other actual or deemed income. Combining these actual payment levels

with the projected numbers of persons receiving Federal SSI payments yields estimates of the amounts of

Federal SSI payments. Historical amounts of such payments on a calendar year basis are shown in table

IV.C1. For purposes of this presentation, these payment amounts are computed on a cash-flow basis consistent with the concepts used to define SSI obligations for the Federal Budget. As a result, for months

after January 1978, SSI payments due on the first of the month are tabulated in the previous month, if the

first of the month falls on a weekend or Federal holiday.1

a Total historical payments for 1974-77 agree with those presented in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin. Total historical payments for 1978-83 are estimated.

b Includes 13 months of payments since payments due on January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1979 were both paid in calendar year 1978.

c Payments for 2008 include $1.4 billion for SSI checks mailed in late December 2008, but reported by the Department of the Treasury in January 2009.

These checks are normally reported in December.

d Partially estimated.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Using this cash-flow concept causes these payments to differ from similar amounts shown in other Social

Security Administration publications, such as the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bul1 Public Law 95-216, the Social Security Amendments of 1977, enacted December 20, 1977, added a statutory requirement that SSI payments, which are

normally due on the first of the month, be delivered early when the normal delivery date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday. When the first of the

month falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, all payments due on that day are paid in the previous month. Payments presented on a cash-flow basis are tabulated according to the month in which they are actually paid.

Table IV.C1.—SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars,a Calendar Years 1974-2010

[In millions]

Calendar 

year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

1974 ........... $40 $438 $452 $968 $135 $17 $825 $958 $2,050 $1,783 $3,833

1975 ........... 128 537 499 1,099 190 17 812 1,031 2,471 1,843 4,314

1976 ........... 176 605 541 1,147 241 17 762 1,023 2,727 1,785 4,512

1977 ........... 227 671 579 1,174 298 17 721 1,016 2,966 1,737 4,703

1978 b ........ 302 781 655 1,312 381 18 736 1,111 3,449 1,847 5,296

1979 ........... 340 809 650 1,296 429 21 667 1,093 3,546 1,760 5,306

1980 ........... 397 931 731 1,420 544 28 642 1,230 4,051 1,872 5,923

1981 ........... 458 1,079 821 1,542 654 32 643 1,320 4,586 1,963 6,549

1982 ........... 512 1,211 883 1,590 704 38 630 1,364 4,937 1,994 6,931

1983 ........... 574 1,372 985 1,704 774 58 624 1,440 5,466 2,064 7,530

1984 ........... 659 1,576 1,128 1,835 836 102 670 1,512 6,136 2,182 8,318

1985 ........... 736 1,709 1,250 1,924 833 160 699 1,499 6,611 2,198 8,809

1986 ........... 831 1,929 1,452 2,043 848 209 731 1,479 7,312 2,210 9,522

1987 ........... 900 2,081 1,618 2,157 846 259 765 1,444 7,860 2,210 10,069

1988 ........... 955 2,228 1,818 2,303 874 304 814 1,449 8,481 2,263 10,744

1989 ........... 1,025 2,431 2,048 2,481 936 366 881 1,479 9,286 2,361 11,647

1990 ........... 1,201 2,660 2,395 2,792 969 407 987 1,532 10,423 2,519 12,943

1991 ........... 1,678 3,129 2,966 3,305 1,060 463 1,169 1,637 12,601 2,806 15,407

1992 ........... 3,154 3,900 3,577 3,790 1,124 487 1,303 1,690 16,033 2,993 19,026

1993 ........... 3,909 4,465 4,164 4,188 1,208 513 1,471 1,759 18,447 3,230 21,677

1994 ........... 4,167 4,504 4,666 4,533 1,274 538 1,566 1,814 19,682 3,380 23,063

1995 ........... 4,657 4,777 5,155 4,896 1,357 565 1,599 1,900 21,407 3,499 24,906

1996 ........... 4,947 5,004 5,614 5,298 1,427 590 1,643 1,977 22,880 3,621 26,501

1997 ........... 4,920 5,031 5,564 5,410 1,505 614 1,586 2,046 23,044 3,632 26,675

1998 ........... 4,965 5,150 5,901 5,777 1,588 635 1,542 2,136 24,017 3,678 27,695

1999 ........... 4,835 5,132 6,185 6,037 1,660 654 1,503 2,206 24,503 3,709 28,212

2000 ........... 4,789 5,121 6,404 6,293 1,717 675 1,470 2,309 24,999 3,779 28,778

2001 ........... 5,104 5,354 6,817 6,783 1,838 713 1,470 2,454 26,608 3,924 30,532

2002 ........... 5,353 5,484 7,048 7,131 1,909 738 1,433 2,520 27,663 3,953 31,616

2003 ........... 5,686 5,715 7,243 7,532 1,984 771 1,408 2,601 28,932 4,009 32,941

2004 ........... 6,036 5,954 7,384 7,943 2,054 809 1,366 2,657 30,179 4,023 34,202

2005 ........... 6,488 6,291 7,624 8,437 2,148 871 1,358 2,778 31,859 4,136 35,995

2006 ........... 6,948 6,656 7,760 8,943 2,235 924 1,413 2,895 33,467 4,308 37,775

2007 ........... 7,346 7,067 7,871 9,539 2,333 981 1,406 2,970 35,137 4,376 39,514

2008 c ........ 7,831 7,623 8,172 10,387 2,459 1,051 1,438 3,078 37,523 4,516 42,040

2009 c ........ 8,635 8,493 8,618 11,556 2,644 1,153 1,528 3,277 41,099 4,805 45,904

2010 d ........ 9,057 9,004 8,755 12,422 2,708 1,210 1,520 3,293 43,157 4,813 47,969
45

2010 SSI Annual Report

letin, in two main ways. First, the payments shown in the Annual Statistical Supplement are tabulated for

the month the payment is due, while the amounts shown in table IV.C1 are tabulated for the month they are

actually paid. In particular, since January 1 of each year is a Federal holiday, SSI payments due on

January 1 of years 1979 and later are actually paid in December of the previous year. For example, the calendar year 2009 payment amounts shown in table IV.C1 reflect payments made in January-December,

2009, and include the payments due on January 1, 2010 (which were actually paid in December, 2009), but

not the payments due on January 1, 2009 (which were actually paid in December, 2008). Second, beginning in 1991, SSI obligations as accounted for in the Federal Budget are not reduced for certain recovered

overpayments which are remitted directly to the Department of the Treasury. The payments shown in the

Annual Statistical Supplement continue to report an amount which is reduced by such overpayment recoveries, as was done for the Budget prior to 1991.

Corresponding amounts of SSI outlays on a fiscal year1 basis are presented in table IV.C2 for fiscal years

1978-2010. Fiscal years prior to 1978 are omitted from table IV.C2 since historical SSI payment amounts

on a fiscal year basis for years prior to 1978 are not readily available. As with the calendar year figures,

these fiscal year amounts are shown on a cash-flow basis. Consequently, fiscal years 1979 and later may

contain 11, 12, or 13 months of payments, depending on whether October 1 of the current and succeeding

fiscal years falls on a weekend.2 Fiscal year 1978 contains 13 months of payments.

a Payment due on October 1 of fiscal year paid in previous fiscal year.

b Partially estimated.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

1 Fiscal years 1977 and later cover the 12-month period ending September 30. For example, fiscal year 2010 payments include payments made from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

2 Generally, for fiscal years 1979 and later, the number of months of payments included in the fiscal year is:

11 months if October 1 of the current, but not the succeeding fiscal year falls on a weekend;

12 months if October 1 of both the current and succeeding fiscal years falls during the week (all payments made in the fiscal year due);

12 months if October 1 of both the current and succeeding fiscal years falls on a weekend (both payments due on October 1 paid in preceding fiscal year);

and

13 months if October 1 of the succeeding, but not current, fiscal year falls on a weekend.

Table IV.C2.—SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Fiscal Years 1978-2010

[In millions]

Fiscal

year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

1978............ $206 $740 $668 $1,438 $312 $22 $772 $1,076 $3,386 $1,848 $5,234

1979 a ......... 226 711 620 1,265 331 20 656 954 3,172 1,610 4,782

1980............ 372 877 698 1,360 506 26 629 1,184 3,840 1,813 5,653

1981............ 442 1,039 797 1,508 625 31 647 1,307 4,442 1,954 6,396

1982............ 499 1,181 861 1,570 693 36 640 1,356 4,840 1,996 6,836

1983............ 596 1,416 1,024 1,783 806 56 660 1,510 5,680 2,170 7,850

1984 a ......... 588 1,411 1,005 1,665 760 85 613 1,391 5,514 2,004 7,517

1985............ 713 1,662 1,215 1,895 828 145 691 1,502 6,459 2,193 8,652

1986............ 800 1,864 1,386 1,995 840 196 723 1,487 7,080 2,209 9,290

1987............ 880 2,030 1,565 2,119 845 242 755 1,448 7,681 2,203 9,884

1988............ 1,009 2,356 1,898 2,425 932 316 860 1,559 8,935 2,419 11,354

1989 a ......... 1,012 2,378 1,997 2,452 910 345 862 1,473 9,094 2,335 11,430

1990 a ......... 1,039 2,378 2,115 2,479 876 362 879 1,394 9,247 2,273 11,521

1991............ 1,519 2,975 2,772 3,141 1,032 447 1,120 1,608 11,886 2,728 14,614

1992............ 2,684 3,621 3,398 3,653 1,099 476 1,269 1,680 14,932 2,949 17,881

1993............ 3,817 4,377 3,977 4,033 1,175 502 1,420 1,730 17,880 3,150 21,029

1994............ 4,328 4,771 4,866 4,756 1,344 569 1,659 1,930 20,635 3,588 24,223

1995 a ......... 4,554 4,719 5,031 4,822 1,341 560 1,596 1,884 21,027 3,480 24,507

1996 a ......... 4,543 4,595 5,123 4,830 1,305 540 1,510 1,808 20,936 3,317 24,254

1997............ 4,933 5,004 5,529 5,340 1,478 606 1,602 2,027 22,890 3,629 26,519

1998............ 4,915 5,114 5,816 5,688 1,567 630 1,548 2,110 23,729 3,658 27,387

1999............ 4,901 5,152 6,123 5,975 1,638 648 1,506 2,180 24,438 3,685 28,123

2000............ 5,152 5,500 6,827 6,692 1,822 718 1,599 2,453 26,710 4,052 30,763

2001 a ......... 4,597 4,869 6,170 6,125 1,670 652 1,352 2,236 24,083 3,588 27,671

2002............ 5,290 5,456 6,998 7,041 1,889 731 1,444 2,500 27,405 3,944 31,349

2003............ 5,558 5,623 7,170 7,390 1,957 759 1,417 2,572 28,456 3,989 32,445

2004............ 5,910 5,868 7,327 7,797 2,031 796 1,380 2,638 29,729 4,018 33,748

2005............ 6,856 6,669 8,150 8,928 2,282 916 1,463 2,945 33,800 4,409 38,208

2006 a ......... 6,832 6,560 7,739 8,813 2,207 908 1,404 2,863 33,060 4,267 37,327

2007 a ......... 6,659 6,427 7,207 8,630 2,135 895 1,297 2,731 31,952 4,028 35,981

2008............ 7,651 7,411 8,063 10,106 2,416 1,027 1,419 3,035 36,673 4,454 41,127

2009 ........... 8,389 8,241 8,493 11,208 2,598 1,126 1,505 3,233 40,056 4,737 44,793

2010 b ......... 8,945 8,887 8,768 12,194 2,693 1,196 1,529 3,300 42,684 4,829 47,513
2010 SSI Annual Report

46

When projecting dollar amounts over longer periods of time, the changing value of the dollar due to inflation can make meaningful comparisons of such amounts difficult. For this reason, in projecting SSI expenditures for 25 years, some means of removing inflation is generally desirable. The CPI, as discussed in

section IV.A, is an appropriate means of standardizing projected SSI costs over time. Constant-dollar values of Federal SSI benefit payments (those adjusted by the CPI) are presented in table IV.C3 for both the

historical period, calendar years 1974-2009, and the full 25-year projection period, 2010-34. This same

information is presented in graphical form in figure IV.C1. Projections of the CPI used for this standardization are based on the intermediate economic assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report.

The future growth in the “constant dollar” estimates is primarily attributable to the underlying growth in

the U.S. population as shown in table IV.A1. However, an additional contributing factor is the projected

growth in the number of SSI recipients as a percent of the population, as shown in table IV.B7. A notable

aspect of the time series of constant dollar estimates illustrated below is that there is a rather sharp level

increase from 2008 to 2009 in these amounts. This level shift is the result of the combination of the spike

in the CPI for the third quarter of calendar year 2008, which caused the large 5.8 percent benefit rate

increase for 2009, and the drop in the level of the CPI for 2009 after the 2008 spike.

 Figure IV.C1.—SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, in Constant 2010 Dollars, Calendar Years 1975-2035

[In billions]
47

2010 SSI Annual Report

a The adjusted CPI is the CPI-W indexed to calendar year 2010. Projections of the adjusted CPI are based on the intermediate economic assumptions of the

2010 OASDI Trustees Report.

b Payment amounts include 13 months of payments since payments due on January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1979 were both paid in calendar year 1978.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical split among age groups is estimated on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.C3.—SSI Federal Payments in Constant 2010 Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2034

[Payment amounts in millions]

Calendar year

Adjusteda

CPI 

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974............ 23.19 $174 $1,887 $1,948 $4,175 $583 $75 $3,557 $4,130 $8,842 $7,687 $16,529

1975............ 25.31 507 2,122 1,971 4,340 751 69 3,209 4,072 9,760 7,280 17,040

1976............ 26.76 657 2,262 2,022 4,286 901 63 2,847 3,824 10,191 6,670 16,861

1977............ 28.50 798 2,354 2,031 4,121 1,044 61 2,531 3,563 10,409 6,094 16,504

1978 b......... 30.66 986 2,546 2,135 4,278 1,244 59 2,399 3,624 11,248 6,023 17,270

1979............ 34.17 995 2,369 1,903 3,793 1,257 62 1,951 3,200 10,379 5,151 15,529

1980............ 38.78 1,024 2,401 1,886 3,661 1,403 72 1,655 3,172 10,447 4,827 15,274

1981............ 42.75 1,072 2,523 1,920 3,607 1,530 74 1,503 3,089 10,727 4,592 15,319

1982............ 45.31 1,131 2,672 1,948 3,508 1,553 84 1,390 3,010 10,896 4,400 15,296

1983............ 46.69 1,228 2,938 2,110 3,649 1,657 124 1,337 3,083 11,707 4,420 16,127

1984............ 48.29 1,365 3,264 2,336 3,800 1,731 211 1,388 3,131 12,708 4,519 17,227

1985............ 50.00 1,472 3,417 2,500 3,849 1,666 320 1,398 2,998 13,223 4,396 17,619

1986............ 50.77 1,637 3,800 2,860 4,024 1,670 412 1,439 2,913 14,402 4,352 18,754

1987............ 52.60 1,710 3,956 3,076 4,100 1,608 493 1,455 2,746 14,943 4,201 19,144

1988............ 54.69 1,746 4,074 3,324 4,210 1,598 556 1,489 2,649 15,508 4,138 19,646

1989............ 57.32 1,789 4,240 3,572 4,327 1,633 638 1,537 2,581 16,200 4,118 20,317

1990............ 60.34 1,990 4,408 3,969 4,627 1,605 674 1,636 2,539 17,274 4,175 21,449

1991............ 62.78 2,673 4,984 4,725 5,264 1,689 737 1,862 2,608 20,072 4,470 24,542

1992............ 64.61 4,881 6,037 5,537 5,867 1,740 754 2,017 2,616 24,816 4,633 29,449

1993............ 66.43 5,885 6,721 6,268 6,304 1,819 772 2,215 2,647 27,770 4,862 32,631

1994............ 68.11 6,118 6,613 6,851 6,656 1,870 790 2,300 2,663 28,900 4,963 33,863

1995............ 70.03 6,650 6,821 7,362 6,991 1,937 807 2,283 2,713 30,568 4,997 35,565

1996............ 72.08 6,863 6,943 7,788 7,350 1,980 818 2,280 2,743 31,742 5,023 36,765

1997............ 73.68 6,678 6,828 7,552 7,343 2,042 833 2,152 2,777 31,276 4,929 36,205

1998............ 74.66 6,650 6,898 7,904 7,738 2,127 851 2,066 2,861 32,168 4,926 37,095

1999............ 76.33 6,334 6,723 8,102 7,909 2,175 856 1,969 2,890 32,100 4,859 36,959

2000............ 78.98 6,064 6,484 8,109 7,968 2,174 855 1,861 2,924 31,653 4,785 36,438

2001............ 81.14 6,290 6,598 8,401 8,359 2,265 879 1,812 3,024 32,792 4,836 37,628

2002............ 82.24 6,509 6,668 8,570 8,671 2,321 897 1,742 3,064 33,635 4,806 38,441

2003............ 84.08 6,762 6,797 8,615 8,958 2,360 917 1,674 3,093 34,409 4,767 39,176

2004............ 86.27 6,997 6,901 8,559 9,207 2,381 938 1,584 3,080 34,982 4,664 39,646

2005............ 89.30 7,265 7,045 8,537 9,447 2,406 976 1,520 3,111 35,675 4,631 40,306

2006............ 92.19 7,536 7,220 8,418 9,701 2,425 1,002 1,532 3,141 36,302 4,673 40,975

2007............ 94.82 7,747 7,453 8,302 10,060 2,460 1,035 1,483 3,133 37,057 4,615 41,673

2008............ 98.69 7,928 7,725 8,280 10,527 2,494 1,066 1,455 3,122 38,019 4,577 42,596

2009............ 98.00 8,812 8,667 8,794 11,793 2,698 1,177 1,559 3,344 41,940 4,903 46,843

Projected:

2010............ 100.00 9,057 9,004 8,755 12,422 2,708 1,210 1,520 3,293 43,157 4,813 47,969

2011............ 101.66 9,382 9,220 8,595 12,792 2,753 1,237 1,512 3,259 43,979 4,771 48,750

2012............ 104.00 9,731 9,525 8,634 13,302 2,847 1,275 1,530 3,242 45,313 4,771 50,084

2013............ 106.79 9,976 9,756 8,589 13,653 2,979 1,318 1,577 3,251 46,270 4,828 51,098

2014............ 109.78 10,086 9,865 8,464 13,790 3,116 1,353 1,636 3,263 46,674 4,900 51,574

2015............ 112.85 10,228 9,997 8,422 13,886 3,272 1,392 1,709 3,291 47,198 5,000 52,198

2016............ 116.01 10,306 10,110 8,406 13,853 3,438 1,424 1,795 3,311 47,538 5,105 52,643

2017............ 119.26 10,376 10,214 8,430 13,762 3,610 1,465 1,878 3,347 47,856 5,225 53,081

2018............ 122.60 10,463 10,327 8,477 13,667 3,793 1,500 1,962 3,393 48,229 5,355 53,584

2019............ 126.03 10,463 10,467 8,549 13,624 3,986 1,537 2,059 3,442 48,626 5,501 54,128

2020............ 129.56 10,441 10,579 8,606 13,585 4,169 1,579 2,169 3,488 48,958 5,657 54,615

2021............ 133.19 10,395 10,686 8,676 13,519 4,342 1,638 2,248 3,579 49,256 5,827 55,083

2022............ 136.91 10,341 10,781 8,784 13,392 4,493 1,720 2,299 3,707 49,511 6,006 55,517

2023............ 140.75 10,295 10,888 8,931 13,262 4,635 1,807 2,361 3,832 49,818 6,193 56,012

2024............ 144.69 10,249 10,981 9,103 13,129 4,773 1,898 2,424 3,965 50,133 6,389 56,522

2025............ 148.74 10,207 11,032 9,280 12,979 4,891 1,991 2,484 4,103 50,380 6,587 56,967

2026............ 152.90 10,189 11,036 9,440 12,836 4,986 2,088 2,538 4,259 50,575 6,798 57,373

2027............ 157.19 10,137 11,020 9,554 12,695 5,047 2,186 2,585 4,425 50,639 7,010 57,649

2028............ 161.59 10,098 11,002 9,646 12,572 5,087 2,285 2,621 4,595 50,690 7,217 57,907

2029............ 166.11 10,081 11,004 9,722 12,500 5,108 2,389 2,650 4,775 50,805 7,425 58,230

2030............ 170.76 10,069 11,006 9,771 12,473 5,094 2,490 2,668 4,956 50,904 7,624 58,528

2031............ 175.54 10,080 11,015 9,825 12,491 5,058 2,593 2,672 5,149 51,062 7,821 58,883

2032............ 180.46 10,088 11,017 9,872 12,524 5,005 2,694 2,662 5,345 51,200 8,007 59,207

2033............ 185.51 10,097 11,021 9,929 12,555 4,959 2,789 2,647 5,535 51,351 8,182 59,533

2034............ 190.71 10,106 11,028 9,991 12,577 4,927 2,880 2,627 5,722 51,509 8,349 59,858
2010 SSI Annual Report

48

Although detailed projections of SSI State supplementary payments are not prepared, historical information on the amounts of such supplements administered by SSA is presented in table IV.C4. These amounts

are consistent with those presented in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin and

are shown only for the two broad recipient categories.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Historical information on State-administered State supplementary payments was previously included in

this report, but is no longer included since complete data for all States is generally not available. Information on selected characteristics of State assistance programs for SSI recipients can be found in the Social

Security Administration publication, State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients, January 2009.1

Table IV.C4.—SSI Federally-Administered State Supplementary Payments

in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2009

[In millions]

Calendar year Aged

Blind or

disabled Total

1974 ................................................ $631 $632 $1,264

1975 ................................................ 674 729 1,403

1976 ................................................ 635 753 1,388

1977 ................................................ 627 804 1,431

1978 ................................................ 636 855 1,491

1979 ................................................ 661 928 1,590

1980 ................................................ 757 1,091 1,848

1981 ................................................ 731 1,108 1,839

1982 ................................................ 694 1,104 1,798

1983 ................................................ 645 1,066 1,711

1984 ................................................ 645 1,148 1,792

1985 ................................................ 694 1,278 1,973

1986 ................................................ 759 1,484 2,243

1987 ................................................ 849 1,714 2,563

1988 ................................................ 873 1,798 2,671

1989 ................................................ 954 2,001 2,955

1990 ................................................ 1,038 2,201 3,239

1991 ................................................ 999 2,232 3,231

1992 ................................................ 1,023 2,412 3,435

1993 ................................................ 934 2,336 3,270

1994 ................................................ 876 2,240 3,116

1995 ................................................ 864 2,253 3,118

1996 ................................................ 833 2,155 2,988

1997 ................................................ 824 2,090 2,913

1998 ................................................ 838 2,165 3,003

1999 ................................................ 921 2,380 3,301

2000 ................................................ 943 2,439 3,381

2001 ................................................ 956 2,505 3,460

2002 ................................................ 1,051 2,768 3,820

2003 ................................................ 1,098 2,906 4,005

2004 ................................................ 1,133 3,045 4,178

2005 ................................................ 1,128 3,050 4,178

2006 ................................................ 1,147 3,006 4,153

2007 ................................................ 1,187 3,133 4,320

2008 ................................................ 1,198 3,187 4,385

2009a...............................................

a Split between recipient categories is a preliminary estimate.

1,070 2,894 3,964

1 Publication No. 13-11975, prepared by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, is available on the internet at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

policy/docs/progdesc/ssi_st_asst/2009.
49

2010 SSI Annual Report

D. FEDERAL SSI PAYMENTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

For SSI, an appropriate relative measure of program costs is produced by comparing estimated annual SSI

costs to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)1. In addition to providing an inflation-independent measure of

the cost of the SSI program, this provides a useful perspective on the proportion of the total output of the

U.S. economy needed to provide Federal SSI benefits. As is shown in table IV.D1 and figure IV.D1, the

total cost of the SSI program relative to GDP is projected to be relatively constant through 2012 and

decline thereafter.

Table IV.D1 and figure IV.D1 present historical and projected Federal expenditures under the SSI program

as a percentage of GDP. Following the initial higher costs of the program, total Federal SSI payments during the 1980s were a fairly constant percentage of GDP (0.21 percent). During the early 1990s, SSI experienced rather rapid growth (to 0.34 percent of GDP in 1996) due to a combination of factors discussed

earlier in section IV. Legislation enacted in 19962 resulted in a drop in the cost of SSI as a percentage of

GDP beginning in 1997 and continuing through 2000. The share of GDP devoted to Federal SSI expenditures increased slightly after the turn of the century in part in response to a slowdown in economic growth

over that period, but resumed its very gradual downward trend from 2002 to 2007 due to relatively slower

growth in the number of SSI recipients. Beginning in 2008, however, this trend was reversed due to an

increase in program recipients described in earlier sections. As the economy begins to recover, the gradual

downward trend is projected to resume. As described in last year’s report, this ultimate trend is the net

effect of two factors. First, Federal SSI expenditures, after adjusting for growth in prices, are projected to

grow slightly faster than the population due to some estimated growth in the SSI recipient population as a

percentage of the overall U.S. population, as discussed previously in section IV.C. Second, in years

beyond the current economic downturn, the real growth projected for GDP under the 2010 Trustees Report

intermediate assumptions is greater than the effect of these projected increases in SSI recipients. Accordingly, Federal SSI payments are projected to decline as a percentage of GDP over the remainder of the

projection period, reaching 0.25 percent of GDP by 2034.

1 The total value of goods and services produced in the United States.

2 Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193.

 Figure IV.D1.—SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1975-2035

0.00%

0.10%

0.20%

0.30%

0.40%

0.50%

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older 

Historical Projected
2010 SSI Annual Report

50

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical GDP amounts subject to revision.

Table IV.D1.—SSI Federal Payments as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1974-2034 

Calendar 

year

GDP a

(In billions)

a Projected values based on the intermediate economic assumptions of the 2010 OASDI Trustees Report.

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ........ $1,499 0.003 0.029 0.030 0.065 0.009 0.001 0.055 0.064 0.137 0.119 0.256

1975 ........ 1,638 .008 .033 .030 .067 .012 .001 .050 .063 .151 .113 .263

1976 ........ 1,825 .010 .033 .030 .063 .013 .001 .042 .056 .149 .098 .247

1977 ........ 2,030 .011 .033 .029 .058 .015 .001 .036 .050 .146 .086 .232

1978 ........ 2,294 .013 .034 .029 .057 .017 .001 .032 .048 .150 .081 .231

1979 ........ 2,562 .013 .032 .025 .051 .017 .001 .026 .043 .138 .069 .207

1980 ........ 2,788 .014 .033 .026 .051 .020 .001 .023 .044 .145 .067 .212

1981 ........ 3,127 .015 .035 .026 .049 .021 .001 .021 .042 .147 .063 .209

1982 ........ 3,253 .016 .037 .027 .049 .022 .001 .019 .042 .152 .061 .213

1983 ........ 3,535 .016 .039 .028 .048 .022 .002 .018 .041 .155 .058 .213

1984 ........ 3,931 .017 .040 .029 .047 .021 .003 .017 .038 .156 .056 .212

1985 ........ 4,217 .017 .041 .030 .046 .020 .004 .017 .036 .157 .052 .209

1986 ........ 4,460 .019 .043 .033 .046 .019 .005 .016 .033 .164 .050 .213

1987 ........ 4,736 .019 .044 .034 .046 .018 .005 .016 .030 .166 .047 .213

1988 ........ 5,100 .019 .044 .036 .045 .017 .006 .016 .028 .166 .044 .211

1989 ........ 5,482 .019 .044 .037 .045 .017 .007 .016 .027 .169 .043 .212

1990 ........ 5,801 .021 .046 .041 .048 .017 .007 .017 .026 .180 .043 .223

1991 ........ 5,992 .028 .052 .050 .055 .018 .008 .020 .027 .210 .047 .257

1992 ........ 6,342 .050 .061 .056 .060 .018 .008 .021 .027 .253 .047 .300

1993 ........ 6,667 .059 .067 .062 .063 .018 .008 .022 .026 .277 .048 .325

1994 ........ 7,085 .059 .064 .066 .064 .018 .008 .022 .026 .278 .048 .326

1995 ........ 7,415 .063 .064 .070 .066 .018 .008 .022 .026 .289 .047 .336

1996 ........ 7,838 .063 .064 .072 .068 .018 .008 .021 .025 .292 .046 .338

1997 ........ 8,332 .059 .060 .067 .065 .018 .007 .019 .025 .277 .044 .320

1998 ........ 8,793 .056 .059 .067 .066 .018 .007 .018 .024 .273 .042 .315

1999 ........ 9,354 .052 .055 .066 .065 .018 .007 .016 .024 .262 .040 .302

2000 ........ 9,951 .048 .051 .064 .063 .017 .007 .015 .023 .251 .038 .289

2001 ........ 10,286 .050 .052 .066 .066 .018 .007 .014 .024 .259 .038 .297

2002 ........ 10,642 .050 .052 .066 .067 .018 .007 .013 .024 .260 .037 .297

2003 ........ 11,142 .051 .051 .065 .068 .018 .007 .013 .023 .260 .036 .296

2004 ........ 11,868 .051 .050 .062 .067 .017 .007 .012 .022 .254 .034 .288

2005 ........ 12,638 .051 .050 .060 .067 .017 .007 .011 .022 .252 .033 .285

2006 ........ 13,399 .052 .050 .058 .067 .017 .007 .011 .022 .250 .032 .282

2007 ........ 14,078 .052 .050 .056 .068 .017 .007 .010 .021 .250 .031 .281

2008 ........ 14,441 .054 .053 .057 .072 .017 .007 .010 .021 .260 .031 .291

2009 ........ 14,254 .061 .060 .060 .081 .019 .008 .011 .023 .288 .034 .322

Projected:

2010 ........ 14,775 .061 .061 .059 .084 .018 .008 .010 .022 .292 .033 .325

2011 ........ 15,465 .062 .061 .057 .084 .018 .008 .010 .021 .289 .031 .320

2012 ........ 16,382 .062 .060 .055 .084 .018 .008 .010 .021 .288 .030 .318

2013 ........ 17,411 .061 .060 .053 .084 .018 .008 .010 .020 .284 .030 .313

2014 ........ 18,446 .060 .059 .050 .082 .019 .008 .010 .019 .278 .029 .307

2015 ........ 19,472 .059 .058 .049 .080 .019 .008 .010 .019 .274 .029 .303

2016 ........ 20,485 .058 .057 .048 .078 .019 .008 .010 .019 .269 .029 .298

2017 ........ 21,507 .058 .057 .047 .076 .020 .008 .010 .019 .265 .029 .294

2018 ........ 22,510 .057 .056 .046 .074 .021 .008 .011 .018 .263 .029 .292

2019 ........ 23,524 .056 .056 .046 .073 .021 .008 .011 .018 .261 .029 .290

2020 ........ 24,607 .055 .056 .045 .072 .022 .008 .011 .018 .258 .030 .288

2021 ........ 25,738 .054 .055 .045 .070 .022 .008 .012 .019 .255 .030 .285

2022 ........ 26,917 .053 .055 .045 .068 .023 .009 .012 .019 .252 .031 .282

2023 ........ 28,153 .051 .054 .045 .066 .023 .009 .012 .019 .249 .031 .280

2024 ........ 29,452 .050 .054 .045 .064 .023 .009 .012 .019 .246 .031 .278

2025 ........ 30,797 .049 .053 .045 .063 .024 .010 .012 .020 .243 .032 .275

2026 ........ 32,212 .048 .052 .045 .061 .024 .010 .012 .020 .240 .032 .272

2027 ........ 33,697 .047 .051 .045 .059 .024 .010 .012 .021 .236 .033 .269

2028 ........ 35,249 .046 .050 .044 .058 .023 .010 .012 .021 .232 .033 .265

2029 ........ 36,861 .045 .050 .044 .056 .023 .011 .012 .022 .229 .033 .262

2030 ........ 38,555 .045 .049 .043 .055 .023 .011 .012 .022 .225 .034 .259

2031 ........ 40,345 .044 .048 .043 .054 .022 .011 .012 .022 .222 .034 .256

2032 ........ 42,218 .043 .047 .042 .054 .021 .012 .011 .023 .219 .034 .253

2033 ........ 44,174 .042 .046 .042 .053 .021 .012 .011 .023 .216 .034 .250

2034 ........ 46,222 .042 .045 .041 .052 .020 .012 .011 .024 .213 .034 .247
51

2010 SSI Annual Report

E. THE SSI PROGRAM’S SHARE OF SSA’S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS 

AND BENEFICIARY SERVICES COSTS

The SSI program is administered by the Social Security Administration, but unlike the OASDI program, is

funded from general revenues. SSA was given responsibility for the SSI program when it was created in

1972 because of the agency’s existing field office network and its administrative and automated data processing capabilities. Due to the integration of the administration of the SSI and OASDI programs, it is

more practical to fund them from a single source. The trust funds and the general fund pay their appropriate share of administrative expenses through SSA’s Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE)

account, which in turn funds the total operating expenses of the agency. The appropriate share of administrative expenses borne by each funding source is determined based on a Government Accountability

Office approved method of cost analysis, with a final settlement of costs by the end of the subsequent fiscal year. If necessary, section 201(g)(1) of the Social Security Act provides that SSI administrative

expenses, including Federal administration of State supplementation payments, may be financed from the

Social Security trust funds with reimbursement, including any interest lost, to the trust funds from general

revenues.

The SSI program also provides beneficiary services to recipients through State Vocational

Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and Employment Networks for VR services and payments under the Ticket

to Work program. For SSI recipients, the objective of VR is to help disabled individuals achieve and sustain productive, self-supporting work activity.

Table IV.E1.—Selected SSI Costs, Fiscal Years 1978-2010

[Outlays in millions] 

Fiscal year

SSI Administrative

expenses a

a Includes user fees charged to participating States to reimburse SSA for the costs of administering their

SSI State Supplementation program.

Beneficiary

services b

b Payments for referral and monitoring services for Drug Addicts and Alcoholics are included through

December 1996; these payments were terminated effective January 1997. The increase in the estimate for

fiscal year 2010 assumed an increase in Ticket to Work activity.

1978.................................................................. $539 $31.6

1979.................................................................. 611 57.0

1980.................................................................. 668 33.1

1981.................................................................. 717 37.3

1982.................................................................. 780 12.0

1983.................................................................. 846 8.0

1984.................................................................. 864 c 84.0

c Reflects a one-time payment to State VR agencies for prior year expenses.

1985.................................................................. 956 3.0

1986.................................................................. 1,023 7.2

1987.................................................................. 977 9.5

1988.................................................................. 976 12.9

1989.................................................................. 1,052 20.0

1990.................................................................. 1,075 28.3

1991.................................................................. 1,230 33.1

1992.................................................................. 1,426 36.0

1993.................................................................. 1,468 32.3

1994.................................................................. 1,780 33.8

1995.................................................................. 1,978 48.2

1996.................................................................. 1,953 71.8

1997.................................................................. 2,055 77.3

1998.................................................................. 2,304 46.0

1999.................................................................. 2,493 52.0

2000.................................................................. 2,321 53.7

2001.................................................................. 2,397 43.9

2002.................................................................. 2,522 54.0

2003.................................................................. 2,656 37.0

2004.................................................................. 2,806 38.6

2005.................................................................. 2,795 30.4

2006.................................................................. 2,916 38.9

2007.................................................................. 2,857 36.1

2008.................................................................. 2,820 45.1

2009.................................................................. 3,316 48.6

2010 (estimated)............................................... 3,580 82.0
2010 SSI Annual Report

52

V. APPENDICES

A. HISTORY OF PROVISIONS

Act

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

An individual may qualify for payments on the basis of age, blindness, or disability.

Aged: Any person aged 65 or older.

Blind: Any person with 20/200 or less vision in the better eye with the use of a

correcting lens, or with tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less. An individual transferred from a State Aid to the Blind (AB) program to SSI is eligible if he/she

received such State aid in December 1973 and continues to meet the October

1972 State definition of blindness.

Disabled: Any person unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by

reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected

to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous

period of at least 12 months. For a child under age 18, eligibility is based on disability of severity comparable with that of an adult. An individual transferred

from a State Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD) program to

SSI is also eligible if he/she received such State aid in December 1973 and continues to meet the October 1972 State definition of disability.

1973

Public Law 93-233, 

enacted December 31

Only persons who had received APTD before July 1973 and were on the rolls in

December 1973 may receive SSI on the basis of the State definition of disability; those who became eligible for State aid from July to December 1973 must

meet the Federal definition of disability.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

A disabled recipient who loses Federal SSI eligibility because of earnings at the

substantial gainful activity level may continue to receive a special benefit under

section 1619 and retain eligibility for Medicaid under title XIX of the Social

Security Act. This special benefit status may continue as long as the recipient

has the disabling impairment and meets all nondisability SSI eligibility criteria.

States have the option of supplementing this special benefit.

This provision of the law was in effect from January 1, 1981, through December

31, 1983. Beginning in January 1984, under a 1-year demonstration project, this

provision was continued for persons already eligible for either regular SSI payments or special monthly benefits.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9 

The special benefit and Medicaid provisions of the 1980 legislation were

extended through June 30, 1987 (retroactive to January 1, 1984).

1986

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

The special benefit and Medicaid provisions of the 1980 amendments are made

permanent. The provisions were amended effective July 1, 1987, with significant modifications to simplify administration and to allow free movement

between regular SSI disability payments and either the special cash benefit or

Medicaid eligibility under section 1619. The distinction between a disabled person eligible for regular SSI payments and one eligible for 1619(a) is that the latter has several months with gross earnings above the SGA level. Previously,

section 1619(a) status required completion of a trial work period and the determination that the work was SGA.
53

2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

For individuals under age 18, the “comparable severity” standard is eliminated

and replaced with a requirement that a child be considered disabled if he/she has

a medically determinable impairment that results in “marked and severe functional limitations,” and meets the existing statutory duration requirement. The

law also eliminates references to “maladaptive behaviors” from the personal/

behavioral domain of the mental disorders in the Listing of Impairments for

children, and discontinues the use of individualized functional assessments for

children.

SSI eligibility is prohibited for an individual in any month during which such an

individual is a fugitive felon, fleeing prosecution for a felony, or violating State

or Federal conditions of probation or parole. 1 In addition, SSI eligibility is prohibited for 10 years for those convicted of fraudulently claiming residence to

obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. 2

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Requires the Commissioner to conduct reviews of a specific percentage of SSI

initial disability and blindness cases involving individuals aged 18 or older that

are allowed by the State DDS. The provision is phased in as follows—for fiscal

year 2006, the Commissioner is required to review 20 percent of DDS allowances; in fiscal year 2007, the requirement is 40 percent; and, for fiscal years

2008 and thereafter, 50 percent of all DDS allowances are required to be

reviewed. These reviews are to be made before the allowance decision is implemented.

2. Other Eligibility Provisions

a. Citizenship and U.S. Residency

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

The individual must reside within one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and be a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or

permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Persons living outside the United States for an entire calendar month lose their eligibility for such

a month.

1976

Public Law 94-241, 

enacted March 24

Eligibility for SSI is extended to residents of the Northern Mariana Islands,

effective January 9, 1978.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

The income and resources of the immigration sponsors of aliens applying for

SSI are considered in determining eligibility for and the amount of payment.

After allowances for the needs of the sponsor and his/her family, the remainder

is deemed available for the support of the alien applicant for a 3-year period

after admission to the United States for permanent residence. This provision

does not apply to those who become blind or disabled after admission, to refu1 In 2009, the agency entered into a nationwide class action settlement that limits the felony crime offense codes upon

which fugitive felon non-payments may be based under this statute. In 2010, the agency stopped parole and probation

violator non-payments for residents of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont pursuant to a Second Circuit Court of

Appeals decision in a pending proposed nationwide class action suit.

2 This last provision was repealed in 1999 by Public Law 106-169 and replaced with a provision providing for nonpayment of benefits for up to 24 months for knowingly making false or misleading statements regarding material

facts.
2010 SSI Annual Report

54

Act

gees, or to persons granted political asylum. (See section 2.g. for subsequent

changes to sponsor-to-alien deeming provisions.)

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

SSI eligibility is continued for a disabled or blind child who was receiving SSI

benefits while living in the United States and is now living with a parent who is

a member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to permanent duty ashore outside

the United States, but not where the parent is stationed in Puerto Rico or the territories and possessions of the United States.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Above provision made applicable where the parent is a member of the U.S.

Armed Forces and stationed in Puerto Rico or the territories and possessions of

the United States.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Prohibits SSI eligibility for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or national unless

they are in a “qualified alien” category and meet one of certain exceptions such

as lawful permanent residents who earn or can be credited with 40 qualifying

quarters of earnings, certain refugee type categories eligible for up to 5 years of

time limited eligibility, or active duty U.S. military or veterans and their spouses

and children. Extends eligibility for aliens receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996

(the enactment date of the law) for 1 year after the enactment date for those

aliens found ineligible under the new standards.

Public Law 104-208, 

enacted September 30

Amends Public Law 104-193 to add to the list of “qualified aliens” certain noncitizens (and their children) who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent or a member of the spouse’s or parent’s family living

in the same household.

1997

Public Law 105-18, 

enacted June 12

Extends eligibility for aliens receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996, until September 30, 1997, for those found ineligible under the new alien standards of Public

Law 104-193.

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Further amends Public Law 104-193 to add Cuban and Haitian entrants, and the

child of a parent who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, to the

list of qualified aliens. Provides that Cuban and Haitian entrants and Amerasian

immigrants qualify for time limited eligibility, and increases the time limit from

5 to 7 years for all time-limited categories. Additional exceptions are added for

qualified aliens: (1) lawfully residing in the United States and receiving SSI

benefits on August 22, 1996; and (2) lawfully residing in the United States on

August 22, 1996 and meeting the definition of blind or disabled in the Social

Security Act.

Certain noncitizen American Indians are excepted from the alien nonpayment

provisions of Public Law 104-193. Extends eligibility for “nonqualified aliens”

receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996, until September 30, 1998.

1998

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

Permanently extends eligibility of all remaining “nonqualified aliens” who

were receiving SSI benefits when Public Law 104-193 was enacted on

August 22, 1996.
55

2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

2000

Public Law 106-386, 

enacted October 28

Noncitizens may be eligible for SSI to the same extent as refugees, if they have

been certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to be victims of

“severe forms of trafficking in persons.”

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Extends SSI eligibility to blind or disabled children who are U.S. citizens living

with a parent assigned to permanent U.S. military duty outside of the United

States, and who were not receiving SSI benefits while in the United States. Previously, only blind or disabled children who received an SSI benefit for the

month before the parent reported for permanent duty abroad were eligible.

Effective April 2004 for applications filed after enactment.

2007

Public Law 110-161, 

enacted December 26

Provides certain Iraqi and Afghan aliens with special immigrant status, as

described in section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As special immigrants, these Iraqi and Afghan aliens are eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to refugees admitted

under section 207 of such Act (admission of refugees in emergency situations)

for a period not to exceed 6 months.

2008

Public Law 110-181, 

enacted January 28

Provides certain Iraqi aliens who have provided service to the United States

with special immigrant status, as described in section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As special immigrants, these Iraqis are eligible for

resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to

refugees admitted under section 207 of such Act (admission of refugees in

emergency situations) for a period not to exceed 8 months.

Public Law 110-328, 

enacted September 30

Extends the 7-year SSI eligibility period for certain refugees, asylees, and other

humanitarian immigrants (including victims of human trafficking) to 9 years for

the period October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011. Those with naturalization applications pending or awaiting the swearing-in-ceremony are exempt

from time limitations through September 30, 2011. Also applies to the noncitizens whose SSI had previously ceased due to the expiration of the 7-year period.

For these noncitizens, SSI benefits will be paid for months in the period October

1, 2008 through September 30, 2011, for the duration of the noncitizen’s reestablished eligibility.

2009

Public Law 111-118, 

enacted December 19

Eliminates the 8-month time limit on SSI eligibility for certain Iraqi and Afghan

refugees who have provided service to the United States. The time-limited eligibility for these individuals is now 7 years, the same period applicable to other

humanitarian refugees.

b. Other Benefits

1980

Public Law 96-272, 

enacted June 17

SSI applicants and recipients are not required as a condition of eligibility to

elect to receive Veterans Administration pensions under the Veterans and Survivors’ Pension Improvement Act of 1978 if the State of residence lacks a medically-needy program under title XIX.

c. Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DA&A)

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any disabled individual who has been medically determined to be an alcoholic

or drug addict must accept appropriate treatment, if available, in an approved
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facility and demonstrate compliance with conditions and requirements for treatment.

SSI payments are required to be made through a representative payee—another

person or public or private agency designated by SSA to manage the recipient’s

benefit on his/her behalf.

1994

Public Law 103-296, 

enacted August 15

Any individual who is receiving SSI based on a disability where drug addiction

or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the finding of disability must

comply with the DA&A treatment requirements. The individual must accept

appropriate treatment when it is available and comply with the conditions and

terms of treatment. Instances of noncompliance with the requirements result in

progressively longer payment suspensions. Before payments can resume, the

individual must demonstrate compliance for specific periods; 2 months, 3

months, and 6 months, respectively, for the first, second, third and subsequent

instances of noncompliance. An individual who is not in compliance with the

DA&A treatment requirements for 12 consecutive months shall not be eligible

for payments; however, this does not prevent such individuals from reapplying

and again becoming eligible for payments.

SSI disability payments based on DA&A are also limited to a total of 36 benefit

months (beginning March 1995) regardless of whether appropriate treatment is

available. Months for which benefits are not due and received do not count

towards the 36-month limit.

Payments based on DA&A must be made to a representative payee. Preference

is required to be given to community based nonprofit social service agencies

and Federal, State, or local government agencies in representative payee selection. These agencies when serving as payees for individuals receiving payments

based on DA&A may retain the lesser of 10 percent of the monthly benefit or

$50 (adjusted annually after 1995 by the Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase) as

compensation for their services.

Establishment of one or more referral and monitoring agencies for each State is

required.

1996

Public Law 104-121, 

enacted March 29

An individual is not considered disabled if DA&A is a contributing factor material to a finding of disability.

Applies DA&A representative payee requirements enacted under Public Law

103-296 to disabled SSI recipients who have a DA&A condition and are incapable of managing their benefits. In addition, these recipients shall be referred to

the appropriate State agency administering the State plan for substance abuse

treatment.

d. Institutionalization

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

An individual who is an inmate of a public institution is ineligible for SSI payments unless the institution is a facility approved for Medicaid payments and is

receiving such payments on behalf of the person. Under regulations, the Medicaid payment must represent more than 50 percent of the cost of services provided by the facility to the individual.

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

An inmate of a publicly operated community residence serving no more than 16

persons may, if otherwise eligible, receive SSI.
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1983

Public Law 98-21, 

enacted April 20

Payments may be made to persons who are residents of public emergency shelters for the homeless for a period of up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

1986

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

Effective July 1, 1987, disabled or blind recipients who were receiving special

SSI payments or had special SSI recipient status under section 1619 in the

month preceding the first full month of institutionalization, may receive payments based on the full Federal benefit rate for the initial 2 full months of institutionalization, if they reside in certain public medical, psychiatric or Medicaid

facilities, or in private Medicaid facilities.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Effective January 1, 1988, payments may be made to persons who are residents

of public emergency shelters for the homeless, for up to 6 months in a 9-month

period.

Effective July 1, 1988, continued payment of SSI benefits for up to 3 months is

permitted, at the rate that was applicable in the month prior to the first full

month of institutionalization, for individuals whose expected institutional stay

on admission is not likely to exceed 3 months, as certified by a physician, and

for whom the receipt of benefits is necessary to maintain living arrangements to

which they may return.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Effective December 1996, institutionalized children under age 18 whose private

health insurance is making payments to the institution may receive no more than

$30 per month in Federal SSI.

e. Vocational Rehabilitation and Treatment

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Blind or disabled individuals receiving Federal SSI benefits who are under age

65, must be referred to the State agency providing services under the Vocational

Rehabilitation Act and must accept the services offered. States are reimbursed

for the cost of services.

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Blind or disabled children under age 16 must be referred to the State agency

administering crippled children’s services or to another agency designated by

the State. States are reimbursed for the cost of services.

Of funds provided for these services, at least 90 percent must be used for children under age 6 or for those who have never attended public schools.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Disabled SSI recipients who medically recover while enrolled in approved

vocational rehabilitation programs of State VR agencies, may continue to

receive benefits during their participation in such programs if the Commissioner

of Social Security determines that continuation in the program will increase the

probability that they leave the rolls permanently.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Funding no longer provided under title XVI for medical, social, developmental

and rehabilitative services to disabled or blind children.
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Act

Reimbursement for the cost of rehabilitation services will be made only if the

services result in the recipient’s return to work for a continuous period of

9 months. The work must be at the substantial gainful activity earnings level.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9

Authorizes the reimbursement of States for the cost of VR services provided to

individuals who (1) continue to receive benefits after medical recovery because

they are participating in a State VR program or (2) refuse, without good cause,

to continue in or cooperate with the VR program in which they had been participating.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Extends the provision for continuation of payments to disabled SSI recipients

who have medically recovered while enrolled in an approved vocational rehabilitation program to include blind SSI recipients.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Reimbursement authorized for the cost of vocational rehabilitation services provided in months in which the individual was not receiving Federal SSI payments, if:

 • SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility purposes was retained under

work incentive provisions; or 

 • Benefits were in suspense 1 status (for a reason other than cessation of disability or blindness); or

 • Federally-administered State supplementation was received.

Extends benefit continuation provision to disabled SSI recipients who medically

recover while participating in a non-State VR program.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

Establishes a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program which will provide

SSI (and OASDI) disability beneficiaries with a ticket that can be used to obtain

vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services, from an employment network (EN) of their choice. An EN chooses one of

the two EN payment options at the time it submits an application to SSA to

become an EN. The chosen payment system will apply to all beneficiaries

served. An EN can elect to receive payment under the:

 • Outcome payment system, under which it can receive payment for up to 60

outcome payment months, which are defined as months in which SSA does

not pay any Federal disability cash benefits to a beneficiary because of

work or earnings; or

 • Outcome-milestone payment system, under which it can receive payment

for one or more milestones in addition to reduced outcome payments, but

will receive less in total than under the outcome payment system. 

The Commissioner of Social Security will initially establish and periodically

review the amount and duration of the outcome payments and the number and

amounts of the outcome-milestone payments.

1 Recipients who have lost eligibility for SSI benefits for fewer than 13 consecutive months are in suspended payment

status.
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Also eliminates the requirement that blind or disabled SSI recipients age 16

through 64 be referred to the State VR agency and accept the services offered.

Under the initial regulation, effective January 28, 2002:

 • The outcome payment system provided that ENs could receive payment for

up to 60 outcome payment months for both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries

based on earnings exceeding the substantial gainful activity level and the

beneficiary no longer receiving Federal disability cash benefits because of

work or earnings; and

 • The outcome-milestone payment system provided that ENs could receive

up to four milestone payments in addition to reduced outcome payments.

The four milestones were based on gross earnings exceeding the substantial

gainful activity level for specified months. Milestone payments were made

only for milestones achieved prior to the first outcome payment month, and

outcome payments were reduced by the amount of milestone payments

received. Four milestone payments plus 60 months of reduced outcome

payments equaled 85 percent of the total that would be available if the EN

chose the outcome payment system. 

Under the revised regulation, effective July 21, 2008:

 • The outcome payment system provides that ENs can receive payment for

up to 60 outcome payment months for an SSI beneficiary and up to 36 outcome payment months for an SSDI beneficiary (including a concurrent title

II/title XVI disability beneficiary), with the reduction in available number

of outcome months for SSDI beneficiaries offset by an increased outcome

payment; and

 • The outcome-milestone payment system provides that ENs can receive the

following milestone payments in addition to outcome payments:

 — Up to four Phase 1 milestones achieved by either an SSDI or SSI beneficiary (including a concurrent title II/title XVI disability beneficiary); and

 — Up to 11 Phase 2 milestones achieved by an SSDI or concurrent beneficiary or up to 18 Phase 2 milestones achieved by an SSI beneficiary.

Phase 1 milestones are based on gross earnings at or above trial work level for

specified months, and Phase 2 milestones are based on gross earnings exceeding

the substantial gainful activity level for specified months. These milestones

must occur before the EN enters the first month for which it is eligible for an

outcome payment. If an available milestone payment is not paid prior to the outcome period, it is payable in a reconciliation payment when the beneficiary

reaches the 12th outcome month. This payment amount is equal to the total

amount of unpaid Phase 1 and Phase 2 milestones that were available when the

ticket was first assigned. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 milestone payments and outcome payments equal 90 percent of the total that would be available if the EN

chose the outcome payment system.
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f. Continuing Disability Reviews and Eligibility Redeterminations

1994

Public Law 103-296, 

enacted August 15

During each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, requires SSA to conduct continuing disability reviews (CDRs) on a minimum of 100,000 SSI recipients. In

addition, during the same period, requires SSA to redetermine the SSI eligibility

of at least one-third of all child SSI recipients who reach age 18 after April 1995

during the 1-year period following attainment of age 18. Redeterminations for

persons turning age 18 could count toward the 100,000 CDR requirement.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Repeals the requirement that SSA redetermine the eligibility of at least one-third

of all child SSI recipients who reach age 18 after April 1995 during the 1-year

period following attainment of age 18.

Requires a CDR:

 • At least once every 3 years for SSI recipients under age 18 who are eligible

by reason of an impairment which is likely to improve, and

 • Not later than 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is

a contributing factor material to the determination of their disability.

Requires eligibility redetermination under the adult disability standard for all

child SSI recipients eligible for the month before the month in which they attain

age 18.

Requires redetermination of eligibility for children considered disabled based

on an individual functional assessment and/or consideration of maladaptive

behavior.

Requires the representative payee of a child SSI recipient whose continuing eligibility is being reviewed to present evidence that the recipient is receiving

treatment which is considered medically necessary and available for the condition which was the basis for providing SSI benefits.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to extend from 12 to 18 months the

period for redetermining the disability of children under age 18 under the new

childhood disability standard.

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to permit SSA to schedule a CDR

for a disabled child for whom low birth weight is a contributing factor material

to the determination of disability, at a date after the child’s first birthday if the

Commissioner determines the impairment is not expected to improve within 12

months of the child’s birth.

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to provide SSA the authority to

make redeterminations of disabled childhood recipients who attain age 18, more

than 1 year after the date such recipient attains age 18.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

Prohibits the initiation of a CDR during the period that a recipient is “using a

ticket” under the Ticket to Work program.
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g. Deeming of Income and Resources

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Deeming occurs when the income and resources of certain family members living in the same household with the SSI recipient are considered in determining

the amount of the SSI payment. These family members are the ineligible spouse

of an adult recipient and the ineligible parents of a child recipient under age 21.

After deduction of personal allocations for the spouse (or parents) and for ineligible children in the home, and after application of income exclusions, any

remaining income of the spouse (or parents) is added to the income of the eligible person.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Children aged 18 or older are not subject to parental deeming.

Sponsor’s income and resources deemed to an alien for 3 years.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Disabled children receiving home care services under State Medicaid programs,

who are ineligible for SSI because of deeming of parental income, and who

received SSI benefits limited to $30 while in a medical treatment facility, may

receive the $30 monthly allowance that would be payable if the recipient were

institutionalized.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Considers an ineligible spouse or parent who is absent from the household due

to active military service to be a member of the household for deeming purposes.

Public Law 103-152, 

enacted November 24

Sponsor-to-alien deeming period extended from 3 years to 5 years, effective

January 1, 1994, through September 30, 1996.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Deeming of income and resources from an immigration sponsor to a noncitizen

continues until citizenship, with exceptions for those who earn, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings. Effective for those whose sponsor

signs a new legally enforceable affidavit of support.

Public Law 104-208, 

enacted September 30

Amends Public Law 104-193 to add two exceptions to the sponsor-to-alien

deeming:

 • Provides that if the noncitizen is indigent and would be unable to obtain

food and shelter without SSI benefits even after receiving support from the

sponsor, then only the amount of income and resources actually provided

by the sponsor will be counted for a 12-month period after a determination

of indigence; and

 • Provides that in certain cases, deeming would not apply for a 12-month

period (with some options for extension) if the noncitizen (or his/her children) has been battered, or subjected to extreme cruelty by family members.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Amends Public Law 104-208 to add an additional exception to sponsor-to-alien

deeming when the parent of a noncitizen has been battered or subjected to

extreme cruelty by family members.
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Act

2006

Public Law 109-163, 

enacted January 6

Provides that individuals who were made ineligible for SSI because of their

spouses or parents being called to active military duty would not have to file a

new application for SSI benefits if they again could be eligible for benefits

before the end of 24 consecutive months of ineligibility.

3. Federal Benefit Payments

a. Windfall Offset

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Offset (by reduction of retroactive Social Security benefits) to prevent persons

whose initial OASDI payment is retroactive from receiving more in total benefits than if they were paid the benefits when regularly due.

1984

Public Law 98-617, 

enacted November 8

Offset provision expanded to allow for reduction of retroactive SSI benefits and

to apply in cases of OASDI benefit reinstatement.

b. Proration of Benefit

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Benefit for first month of eligibility to be prorated by the number of days in the

month for which an application has been filed and there is eligibility.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Changes the effective date of an SSI application to the first day of the month

following the date on which the application was filed or on which the individual

first becomes eligible, whichever is later. This, in effect, eliminates prorated

payments in initial claims.

c. Retrospective Monthly Accounting

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Changes the method of computing the SSI benefit to one under which the benefit amount is computed on a monthly basis and is based on income and other

characteristics in the previous (or second previous) month.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Changes the method of computing the SSI benefit to persons receiving title II

payments. The effect of the increased title II income at the time of the cost-ofliving increase is not delayed as it otherwise would be.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides an exception to retrospective monthly accounting so that amounts

received under Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), foster care,

refugee cash assistance, Cuban-Haitian entrant assistance, or general and child

welfare assistance provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are counted only in

the month received.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Changes the method of computing the SSI benefit to persons receiving the value

of the one-third reduction. The effect of the increased value at the time of the

cost-of-living increase is not delayed as it otherwise would be. Effective January

1995.
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2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Eliminates triple counting of one-time, nonrecurring income by providing that

this income will be counted only for the month that the income is received, and

not for any other month during the transition to retrospective monthly accounting, which occurs during the first 3 months of an individual’s SSI eligibility.

Effective April 2005.

d. Uncashed Checks

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

States that have Federally-administered supplements to be credited their share

of SSI checks that remain unnegotiated for 180 days.

1987

Public Law 100-86, 

enacted August 10

SSI checks now unnegotiable after 1 year. States are credited their share of SSI

checks after 1 year rather than 180 days.

e. Rounding of Payment Amounts

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Cost-of-living adjustments in the Federal SSI benefit and income eligibility levels are to be rounded to the next lower whole dollar, after the adjustment is calculated. Subsequent cost-of-living adjustments will be calculated on the

previous year’s benefit standard before rounding.

f. Penalties for False or Misleading Statements or Withholding of 

Information

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Provides for the nonpayment of OASDI and SSI benefits (6, 12 and 24 months,

respectively, for the first, second, and third or subsequent violations) for individuals found to have knowingly made a false or misleading statement of material fact for use in determining eligibility for benefits.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Expands the administrative sanction of nonpayment of benefits to situations

where an individual has failed to disclose material information, if the person

knew or should have known that such failure was misleading.

Authorizes Federal courts to order a defendant convicted of defrauding Social

Security, Special Veterans’ Benefits, or SSI to make restitution to SSA. Restitution funds would be deposited to the trust funds or General Fund of the Treasury, as appropriate. Effective with respect to violations occurring on or after the

date of enactment.

g. Installment Payments

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Establishes a schedule for paying retroactive SSI benefit amounts that exceed 12

times the FBR plus the State supplement level. Payments would be made at

6-month intervals:

 • The first installment would be 12 times the FBR plus any Federally administered State supplement.

 • Any remaining retroactive benefits would be paid in a second installment

(not to exceed the first payment amount).

 • All remaining retroactive benefits would be paid in the third installment.
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Provides that where an underpaid individual has incurred debts to provide for

food, clothing or shelter, has expenses for disability-related items and services

that exceed the installment amount, or has entered into a contract to purchase a

home, the installment payment would be increased by the amount needed to

cover those debts, expenses and obligations.

Provides that full retroactive payments be paid to an individual who is terminally ill or, if currently ineligible, is likely to remain so for the next 12 months.

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Requires that past-due monthly SSI benefits that exceed three times the maximum monthly benefit (Federal benefit rate plus State supplementary payment

amount, if any) payable to the individual be paid in up to three installment payments, 6 months apart. Also, limits the amount of the first two installment payment to three times the maximum monthly benefit. All remaining benefits due

are to be paid in the third installment. As under current law, the amounts of the

installment payments may be increased in certain cases, such as those in which

the individual has outstanding debt relating to food, clothing, or shelter, or has

necessary medical needs.

Effective 3 months after February 8, 2006.

h. Retroactive Payments to Prisoners, Fugitive Felons, and Probation or 

Parole Violators

2009

Public Law 111-115, 

enacted December 15

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive SSI benefits to individuals while they

are in prison; in violation of conditions of their parole or probation; or fleeing to

avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for a felony or a crime punishable

by sentence of more than one year.

4. Federal Benefit Rates

Basic benefit standards are used in computing the amount of Federal SSI payments. Benefit levels differ

for individuals and couples living in households and for persons in medical treatment facilities where

Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of care. Individuals or couples living in their own households are eligible for the full Federal benefit. If an individual or couple is living in another person’s household and receiving support and maintenance there, the Federal benefit is reduced by one-third. The Federal

benefit rates for persons in households are increased annually to reflect increases in the cost of living. Legislation affecting the level of Federal benefit rates since the inception of the SSI program are summarized

in table V.A1.
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a For those in another person’s household receiving support and maintenance there, the Federal benefit rate is reduced by one-third. b For those without countable income. These payments are reduced by the amount of countable income of the individual or couple.

c Public Law 92-603, enacted October 30, 1972.

d Includes persons in private institutions whose care in not provided by Medicaid.

e Public Law 93-66, enacted July 9, 1973.

f Public Law 93-233, enacted December 31, 1973.

g Public Law 93-368, enacted August 7, 1974.

h Subject to automatic provisions, see table IV.A2.

i Public Law 98-21, enacted April 20, 1983.

j Public Law 100-203, enacted December 22, 1987.

Table V.A1.—Federal Benefit Rates Set by Legislation

Act Living arrangements a

Amount b

Individual Couple Conditions

1972 c ....... Own household d $130.00 $195.00 Was to be effective January 1, 1974; superseded by Public Law 

93-233.

1973 e ....... — 140.00 210.00 Was to be effective January 1, 1974; superseded by Public Law 

93-233.

1973 f........ — 140.00 210.00 Effective January 1, 1974.

1973 f ....... — 146.00 219.00 Effective July 1, 1974.

1974 g ....... — — — Mechanism established for providing cost-of-living 

adjustments coordinated with earlier legislation applying to 

OASDI cash benefits. SSI payments to be increased by the 

same percentage as OASDI benefits and at the same time.

— h157.70 h 236.60 Effective July 1, 1975.

1983 i ........ — 304.30 456.40 Effective July 1, 1983 (general benefit increase).

— h 314.00 h 472.00 Effective January 1, 1984.

1973 e ....... Increment for 

“essential person” 

in household

65.00 — Was to be effective January 1, 1974. For persons transferred 

from OAA, AB, or APTD programs who were receiving 

payments in December 1973 under a State plan that took 

account of “essential persons” in the household.

— 70.00 — Was to be effective July 1, 1974.

1973 f ....... — 70.00 — Effective January 1, 1974.

— 73.00 — Effective July 1, 1974.

1974 g ....... — — — Mechanism established for providing cost-of-living 

adjustments.

— h 78.90 — Effective July 1, 1975.

1983 i ....... — 152.50 — Effective July 1, 1983 (general benefit increase).

— h 157.00 — Effective January 1, 1984.

1972 c ....... Receiving institutional 

care covered by 

Medicaid

25.00 50.00 Effective January 1, 1974. Must be receiving more than 50 

percent of the cost of the care from Medicaid (title XIX of 

the Social Security Act).

1987 j ........ — 30.00 60.00 Effective July 1, 1988. Must be receiving more than 50 percent 

of the cost of the care from Medicaid (title XIX of the Social 

Security Act).
2010 SSI Annual Report

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Act 5. Exclusions from Income

a. General Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

The first $60 of earned or unearned income per calendar quarter for an individual or couple; the next $195 and one-half the remainder of quarterly earned

income. Unearned income includes Social Security benefits, other government

or private pensions, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

The first $20 of earned or unearned income per month for an individual or couple; the next $65 and one-half the remainder of monthly earned income.

Unearned income includes Social Security benefits, other government or private

pensions, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Earnings of persons defined as Social Security statutory employees are treated

as self-employment income for SSI purposes.

b. Special Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any amount of tax rebate issued to an individual by any public agency that is

based on either real property or food purchase taxes.

Grants, scholarships, and fellowships used to pay tuition and fees at an educational institution.

Income required for achieving an approved self-support plan for blind or disabled persons.

Work expenses of blind persons.

For blind persons transferred from State programs to SSI, income exclusions

equal to the maximum amount permitted as of October 1972 under the State

programs.

Irregularly or infrequently received income totaling $60 or less of unearned

income and $30 of earned income in a calendar quarter.

Payment for foster care of ineligible child residing in recipient’s home through

placement by a public or private nonprofit child care agency.

One-third of any payment received from an absent parent for the support of a

child eligible for SSI.

Certain earnings of a blind or disabled child under age 22 regularly attending an

educational institution.

State or local government cash payments based on need and designed to supplement SSI payments.

1976

Public Law 94-331, 

enacted June 30

Disaster assistance from income for 9 months and application of one-third

reduction for 6 months for certain victims of disasters occurring between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 1976.

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Any assistance based on need (including vendor payments) made to or on behalf

of SSI recipients, which is paid and wholly funded by State or local governments.
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The value of assistance provided under certain Federal housing programs.

1977

Public Law 95-113, 

enacted September 29

Food stamps, Federally donated food, and the value of free or reduced price

food for women and children under the Child Nutrition Act and National School

Lunch Act.

Public Law 95-171, 

enacted November 12

Provisions for exclusions for support and maintenance under the Disaster Relief

and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 extended on a permanent basis. Effective January 1, 1978.

1980

Public Law 96-222, 

enacted April 1

Earned income tax credit treated as earned income (temporarily excluded from

1975 through 1980).

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Remunerations received in sheltered workshops and work activity centers are

considered earned income and qualify for earned income exclusions.

Impairment-related work expenses paid by the individual (including cost for

attendant care, medical equipment, drugs, and services necessary to control an

impairment) are deducted from earnings when determining if an individual is

engaging in substantial gainful activity. Impairment-related work expenses are

excluded in calculating income for benefit purposes if initial eligibility for benefits exists on the basis of countable income without applying this exclusion.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Modifies provision under which irregularly or infrequently received income is

excluded to conform to change from quarterly to monthly accounting; amounts

excludable: $20 or less of unearned income and $10 of earned income in a

month.

1982

Public Law 97-377, 

enacted December 21

From December 18, 1982, to September 30, 1983, certain home energy assistance payments are excluded if a State agency certified that they are based on

need.

1983

Public Law 97-424, 

enacted January 6

Support or maintenance assistance (including home energy assistance) provided

in kind by a nonprofit organization or in cash or in kind by certain providers of

home energy is excluded if the State determines that the assistance is based on

need. Provision is applicable through September 1984.

Certain home energy assistance payments are excluded if a State agency certified that the assistance is based on need. Provision is applicable through June

1985.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

The 1983 provisions for support and maintenance and home energy assistance

continue to October 1, 1987.

1986

Public Law 99-498, 

enacted October 17

Educational assistance used for educational expenses under the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

The 1983 provisions for support and maintenance and home energy assistance

made permanent.
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Act

Excludes death payments (for example, proceeds from life insurance) from SSI

income determinations to the extent they were spent on last illness and burial.

Modifies the 1982 resource exclusion for burial funds to extend the exclusion to

any burial fund of $1,500 or less maintained separately from all other assets,

thereby allowing interest to be excluded from income if retained in the fund.

1988

Public Law 100-383, 

enacted August 10

Restitution payments made to Japanese internees and relocated Aleutians.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Interest on agreements representing the purchase of an excluded burial space.

Payments from the Agent Orange Settlement.

Value of a ticket for domestic travel received as a gift and not cashed.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Earned income tax credit (including the child health insurance portion).

Payments received from a State-administered fund established to aid victims of

crime.

Impairment-related work expenses excluded from income in determining initial

eligibility for benefits.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance.

Payments received under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

Redefines as earned income, royalties earned in connection with any publication

of the individual’s work, and honoraria received for services rendered (previously defined as unearned income).

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Hostile fire pay to members of the uniformed services.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance made permanent.

1994

Public Law 103-286, 

enacted August 1

Payments to victims of Nazi persecution.

1998

Public Law 105-285, 

enacted October 27

Funds made available to an SSI recipient by a State or local government or a

nonprofit organization as part of the Individual Development Account demonstration project.

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

In-kind gifts to children with life-threatening conditions by tax-exempt organizations not converted to cash.

The first $2,000 annually of cash gifts by tax-exempt organizations to, or for the

benefit of, individuals under age 18 with life-threatening conditions.

Public Law 105-369, 

enacted November 12

Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998.
69

2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Interest on funds deposited in an individual development account.

Any adjustments made to prior payments from other Federal programs to

account for the error in the computation of the Consumer Price Index during

1999.

2001

Public Law 107-16, 

enacted June 7

The refundable child tax credit is excluded in determining eligibility for meanstested programs, including SSI.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Changes the calculation of infrequent or irregular income from a monthly to a

quarterly basis. Excludes from the determination of an individual’s income all

interest and dividend income earned on countable resources. Effective July

2004.

Permits the student earned income exclusion to apply to any individual under

age 22 who is a student. Thus, students under age 22 who are married or heads

of households would be eligible for the exclusion. Effective April 2005.

Excludes from the determination of income any gift to an individual for use in

paying tuition or educational fees, just as grants, scholarships, and fellowships

for such use are currently excluded from the determination of income. Effective

June 2004.

2005

Public Law 109-64, 

enacted September 20

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to specify that assistance

provided under a program for flood mitigation activities with respect to a property would not be considered income or a resource of the owner of the property

when determining eligibility for or benefit levels under any income assistance or

resource-tested program (including SSI) that is funded in whole or in part by a

Federal agency or by appropriated Federal funds.

2006

Public-Law 109-432, 

enacted December 20

Extends the present law that allows combat pay to be considered for Earned

Income Tax Credit (EITC) purposes for one additional year (for taxable years

ending before January 1, 2008). For SSI purposes, EITC payments are excluded

from income, and are not a countable resource for 9 calendar months following

the month of receipt.

2008

Public Law 110-185, 

enacted February 13

A rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and any

other credit or refund under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code, would

not be taken into account as income for purposes of SSI.

Public Law 110-245, 

enacted June 17

Privatized military housing allowances withdrawn directly from a service member’s pay by military payroll and paid to the landlord will be considered in-kind

income, and the SSI benefit reduction attributable to the housing allowance will

be capped at one-third of the Federal benefit rate. In other cases, housing allowances will be considered earned income.

Excludes any cash or in-kind benefits provided under an AmeriCorps program

from income consideration. Effective for benefits payable for months beginning

60 days after enactment. 

Excludes annuity payments paid by a State to a person or his/her spouse because

the State has determined the person is a veteran and blind, disabled, or aged.
2010 SSI Annual Report

70

Act

2009

Public Law 111-5, 

enacted February 17 

A one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to SSI recipients will not be

taken into account as income for purposes of SSI.

The Making Work Pay tax credit, which provides a tax credit in the form of

decreased withholding by employers, will not be counted as income.

A one-time payment of $15,000 for eligible Filipino veterans who are citizens

of the United States and $9,000 for eligible veterans who are noncitizens will

not be taken into account as income for SSI purposes.

6. Resources

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Countable resources limited to $1,500 or less for an individual and to $2,250 or

less for a couple.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Limit on countable resources raised by $100 a year for individuals and $150 a

year for couples, beginning in calendar year 1985 through 1989. The respective

limits would become $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 1989

and thereafter.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Includes generally in the countable resources of an individual the assets of a

trust which could be used for the benefit of the individual or spouse.

a. General Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

A home of reasonable value—established by regulation as not exceeding a fairmarket value of $25,000 ($35,000 in Alaska and Hawaii).

Personal effects and household goods of reasonable value established by regulation as not exceeding a total market value of $1,500.

An automobile of reasonable value—established by regulation as not exceeding

a market value of $1,200.

An automobile may be excluded, regardless of value, if the individual’s household uses it for employment or medical treatment, or if it is modified to be operated by or for transportation of a person with a disability.

Life insurance with face value of $1,500 or less.

1976

Public Law 94-569, 

enacted October 20

The recipient’s home, regardless of value, is excluded from consideration in

determining resources.

1977

Public Law 95-171, 

enacted November 12

Assistance received under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of

1974 for 9 months following receipt.

1979 Reasonable value for an automobile increased by regulation to $4,500 of current-market value; personal goods and household effects increased to $2,000 of

equity value.
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Act

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

The value, within prescribed limits, of a burial space for the recipient, spouse,

and immediate family is excluded. In addition, $1,500 each (less the value of

already excluded life insurance and any amount in an irrevocable burial arrangement) may be set aside for the burial of the recipient and spouse.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

The unspent portion of any retroactive title II or title XVI payment is excluded

for 6 months following its receipt, and the individual must be given written

notice of the time limit on the exclusion.

1985 Regulations permit exclusion, regardless of value, of an automobile needed for

essential transportation or modified for a person with a disability. The $4,500

current market value limit applies only if no automobile could be excluded

based on the nature of its use.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides for suspension of the 1980 transfer of assets provision, in any month

that it is determined that undue hardship would result.

Real property that cannot be sold for the following reasons: it is jointly owned;

its sale would cause the other owner(s) undue hardship due to loss of housing;

its sale is barred by a legal impediment; or, the owner’s reasonable efforts to sell

have been unsuccessful.

Temporarily extends the 1984 exclusion of retroactive title II and title XVI benefits from 6 months to 9 months (the longer exclusion applies to benefits paid in

fiscal years 1988 and 1989).

1988

Public Law 100-707, 

enacted November 23

Removes the time limit for exclusion of disaster assistance.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Increases to 9 months and makes uniform the time period for excluding from

resources amounts attributable to payments of past-due Social Security and SSI

benefits and earned income and child tax credits. Effective for such payments

received on or after the date of enactment.

2005 Regulations permit exclusion, regardless of value, of:

 • One automobile if used for transportation for the beneficiary or a member

of the beneficiary’s household; and

 • Personal goods and household effects.

b. Special Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Assets of a blind or disabled individual that are necessary to an approved plan of

self-support.

Tools and other property essential to self-support (PESS), within reasonable

limits. Shares of nonnegotiable stock in regional or village corporations held by

natives of Alaska.

For persons transferred from State programs to SSI, resource exclusions equal to

the maximum amount permitted as of October 1972 under the State program.
2010 SSI Annual Report

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Act

1988

Public Law 100-383, 

enacted August 10

Restitution payments made to Japanese internees and relocated Aleutians.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Specifies that no limitation can be placed on property essential to self-support

used in a trade or business, or by an individual as an employee (including the

tools of a tradesperson and the machinery and livestock of a farmer).

Payments from the Agent Orange Settlement.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Earned income tax credit excluded for the month following the month the credit

is received.

Payments received from a State-administered fund established to aid victims of

crime excluded for a 9-month period. Individual not required to file for such

benefits.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance

excluded for a 9-month period. (The provision expired 3 years after its effective

date.)

Payments received under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Makes permanent the 9-month exclusion of payments received as State or local

government relocation assistance.

1994

Public Law 103-286, 

enacted August 1

Payments to victims of Nazi persecution.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Dedicated financial institution accounts required to be established for large pastdue benefits for disabled individuals under age 18 with a representative payee.

1998

Public Law 105-285, 

enacted October 27

Funds made available to an SSI recipient by a State or local government or a

nonprofit organization as part of the Individual Development Account demonstration project.

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

In-kind gifts to children with life-threatening conditions by tax-exempt organizations not converted to cash.

The first $2,000 annually of cash gifts by tax-exempt organizations to, or for the

benefit of, individuals under age 18 with life-threatening conditions.

Public Law 105-369, 

enacted November 12

Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Funds deposited by an individual in an individual development account and the

interest on those funds.

2001

Public Law 107-16, 

enacted June 7

The refundable child tax credit in the month of receipt and in the following

month.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Excludes grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts to be used for tuition or educational fees from an individual’s countable resources for 9 months after the

month of receipt.

2005

Public Law 109-64, 

enacted September 20

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to specify that assistance

provided under a program for flood mitigation activities with respect to a property would not be considered income or a resource for SSI purposes.

2008

Public Law 110-185, 

enacted February 13

A rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and any

other credit or refund under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code, would

not be included as a resource during the month of receipt or the following 2

months.

Public Law 110-245, 

enacted June 17

Excludes State-provided pensions for aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their

spouses) from resources consideration. Effective for benefits payable for

months beginning 60 days after enactment.

2009

Public Law 111-5, 

enacted February 17

A one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to SSI recipients will not be

taken into account as a resource for the month of receipt and the following 9

months.

The Making Work Pay tax credit, which provides a tax credit in the form of

decreased withholding by employers, will not be taken into account as a

resource for the month of receipt and the following 2 months.

A one-time payment of $15,000 for eligible Filipino veterans who are citizens

of the United States and $9,000 for eligible veterans who are noncitizens will

not be taken into account as a resource for SSI purposes, although interest

earned on any such payment may be considered a resource.

c. Transfer-of-Resources Penalties

1980

Public Law 96-611, 

enacted December 28

Assets transferred for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing

eligibility for benefits under the Social Security Act are counted as resources for

24 months after transfer.

1988

Public Law 100-360, 

enacted July 1

Removes the transfer-of-assets penalty for transfers made July 1, 1988, or later.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Provides a penalty under the SSI program for the disposal of resources at less

than fair market value. The penalty is a loss of benefits for up to 36 months. A

formula is provided to determine the number of months.

7. Presumptive and Emergency Payments and Interim Assistance

Reimbursement

a. Presumptive Payments

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

A person applying on the basis of disability who meets all other criteria of eligibility, and is likely to be disabled, may receive payments for 3 months pending

the disability determination.
2010 SSI Annual Report

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Act

1976

Public Law 94-569, 

enacted October 20

Presumptive payment provision was extended to persons applying on the basis

of blindness.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Extends the period for receipt of payments to 6 months.

b. Emergency Advance Payments

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any applicant who can be presumed to meet the criteria of eligibility, but has

not yet been determined eligible, and who is faced with a financial emergency

may receive an immediate cash advance of up to $100.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Increases the maximum emergency advance payment amount to the maximum

amount of the regular Federal SSI monthly benefit rate, plus, if any, the Federally-administered State supplementary payment.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Applicants who have a financial emergency may receive an emergency advance

payment in the month of application, which, effective with this law, is always

prior to the first month of eligibility. These advance payments are recouped by

proportional reductions in the recipient’s first 6 months of SSI benefits.

c. Interim Assistance Reimbursement

1974

Public Law 93-368, 

enacted August 7

SSA may enter into agreements with the States to repay them directly for assistance payments made to an SSI applicant while his/her claim is being adjudicated. The repayment is made from the first check due to the individual. This

legislation expires June 30, 1976.

1976

Public Law 94-365, 

enacted July 14

The authority to repay the State for interim assistance is made permanent.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Extends interim assistance reimbursement to situations in which payments are

made by States or political subdivisions to persons whose SSI payments were

suspended or terminated and who subsequently are found to be eligible for such

benefits. Also clarifies that the payment from which the interim assistance reimbursement is paid must be the first payment of benefits relating to the interim

period.

8. Medicaid Eligibility

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

States can provide Medicaid coverage to all recipients of SSI payments. Alternatively, they can limit coverage by applying more restrictive criteria from the

State Medicaid plan in effect on January 1, 1972.

States can accept SSA determination of eligibility, or make their own determination.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of recipients who become ineligible for cash

SSI payments due to the cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Blind or disabled recipients under age 65 no longer eligible for either regular or

special SSI payments because of their earnings may retain SSI recipient status

for Medicaid eligibility purposes under the following conditions: (1) they continue to have the disabling impairment, (2) they meet all nondisability eligibility

criteria except for earned income, (3) they would be seriously inhibited from

continuing employment without Medicaid services, and (4) their earnings are

insufficient to provide a reasonable equivalent of SSI payments and Medicaid.

In States that do not provide Medicaid coverage categorically to all SSI recipients, qualification for Medicaid benefits depends on the State’s specific eligibility and program requirements.

The Medicaid provision of the 1980 legislation was in effect from January 1,

1981, through December 31, 1983. Under a 1-year demonstration project,

beginning January 1, 1984, this provision was continued for persons already eligible for regular or special SSI payments or for retention of Medicaid eligibility.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9

Medicaid provision of 1980 legislation extended through June 30, 1987 (retroactive to January 1, 1984).

1986

Public Law 99-272, 

enacted April 7

Restores Medicaid eligibility for some disabled widow(er)s who became ineligible for SSI when their title II benefits increased in 1984 because of a change in

the Social Security disabled widow(er)s benefits reduction factor.

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

The SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility provision of the 1980 amendments is made permanent.

Effective July 1, 1987, certain expenses are excluded from earnings when determining sufficiency of earnings to establish SSI recipient status eligibility for

Medicaid purposes:

 • Impairment-related work expenses of disabled persons;

 • Work expenses of blind persons;

 • Income required for achieving an approved self-support plan; and

 • The value of publicly funded attendant care services.

Effective July 1, 1987, preserves the Medicaid eligibility of recipients who

become ineligible for SSI payments because of entitlement to, or an increase in,

Social Security disabled adult child benefits on or after the effective date.

Effective July 1, 1987, requires all States to provide Medicaid coverage for

recipients in special SSI status (either receiving special SSI payments or in the

special recipient status described for 1980) if they received Medicaid coverage

the month before special SSI status.
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Act

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Effective July 1, 1988, restores or preserves the Medicaid eligibility of persons

aged 60 or older who are eligible for Social Security benefits as widows or widowers (but not eligible for Medicare) and who become ineligible for SSI payments or State supplementation because of the receipt of old-age or survivors

insurance benefits under Social Security.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Age limit for retention of SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility purposes

(1980 and subsequent work incentive provisions, above) is eliminated.

Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of SSI recipients who become ineligible for

payments when they become entitled to Social Security disabled widow(er)s

benefits following the revised definition used for their disability.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Requires States to continue Medicaid coverage for disabled children who were

receiving SSI payments as of August 22, 1996 and would have continued to be

eligible for such payments except that their eligibility terminated because they

did not meet the revised SSI childhood disability standard established under

Public Law 104-193.

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Begins Medicaid coverage for children who are eligible for SSI effective the

month the SSI application is filed or the first month of SSI eligibility, whichever

is later. (Under prior law, Medicaid eligibility for such children began the month

following the month of the SSI application or first eligibility.)

9. State Supplementation

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

States are given the option of providing supplementary payments both to recipients transferred from the State program and to those newly eligible for SSI.

States may either administer the payments themselves or have the Social Security Administration make payments on their behalf. When State supplementary

payments are Federally-administered, the Social Security Administration makes

eligibility and payment determinations for the State and assumes administrative

costs.

“Hold harmless” protection, which limits a State’s fiscal liability to its share of

OAA, AB, and APTD expenditures for calendar year 1972, is provided to States

electing Federal administration of their supplementary plans. This provision

applies only to supplementary payments that do not, on average, exceed a

State’s “adjusted payment level.” (The adjusted payment level is the average of

the payments that individuals with no other income received in January 1972; it

may include the bonus value of food stamps. Adjustments are provided for payments that had been below State standards.)

1973

Public Law 93-66, 

enacted July 9

Provides for mandatory State supplementation as assurance against reduction of

income for persons who received State assistance in December 1973 and were

transferred to SSI. These supplementary payments must equal the difference

between (1) the amount of the State assistance payment that the individual

received in December 1973 plus other income and (2) his/her Federal SSI payment plus other income.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

1976

Public Law 94-585, 

enacted October 21

After June 30, 1977, when the Federal SSI payment level is increased by a costof-living increase, such an increase will be excluded in calculating the “hold

harmless” amount.

Requires States to maintain State supplementation payments at the level of

December 1976 (“maintenance of payments”) or to continue to pay in supplements the same total annual amounts (“maintenance of expenditures”) when the

Federal SSI payment level is increased and thereby pass through any increases

in Federal benefits without reducing State supplements.

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Begins a 3-year phase out of “hold harmless” protection. Effective with fiscal

year 1985, Wisconsin and Hawaii (the only remaining “hold harmless” States)

assumed the full cost of their supplementary payments.

1983

Public Law 98-21, 

enacted April 20

Federal pass-through law is adjusted (1) by substituting the State supplementary

payment levels in effect in March 1983 for those in effect in December 1976 as

the levels that States must maintain in complying with the pass-through requirements, and (2) with regard to the $20 (individual) and $30 (couple) increase in

the Federal SSI standard in July 1983, by requiring States to pass through only

as much as would have been required if the SSI cost-of-living adjustment had

been made in July 1983.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides for Federal administration of State supplements to residents of medical

institutions.

Provides for required pass through of $5 increase in Federal rate for persons

whose care in institutions is paid in substantial part by Medicaid.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Requires States to pay fees for Federal administration of their State supplementation payments. The fees are $1.67 for each monthly supplementary payment in

fiscal year 1994, $3.33 in fiscal year 1995, and $5.00 in fiscal year 1996. Fees

for subsequent fiscal years will be $5.00 or another amount determined by the

Commissioner to be appropriate. The Commissioner may charge the States

additional fees for services they request that are beyond the level customarily

provided in administering State supplementary payments.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Revises the schedule of per-payment fees for Federal administration of State

supplementation for fiscal years 1998 ($6.20) through 2002 ($8.50) and provides a formula for determining the fee beyond fiscal year 2002.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

A State which has an agreement with SSA to administer its supplementation

payments, must remit both payments and fees prior to the SSI payment date.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Changes the effective date of above provision from 2009 to 2001.
2010 SSI Annual Report

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Act

10. Overpayment Recovery

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Limits the rate of recovering overpayments from monthly payments to the lesser

of: (1) the monthly payment, or (2) 10 percent of a recipient’s monthly income.

Permits a higher or lower adjustment at the request of the recipient subject to the

agreement of the Commissioner. The limit does not apply if fraud, willful misrepresentation, or concealment of material information was involved on the part

of the recipient or spouse in connection with the overpayment.

Waives recovery of certain overpayments due to amount of excess resources of

$50 or less.

Provides authority for the recovery of overpayments from tax refunds.

1998

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

Authorizes SSA to collect SSI overpayments for individuals not currently eligible for SSI cash benefits by offsetting Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits, with a maximum monthly offset of no more than 10

percent of the Social Security benefit. The limit does not apply if fraud, willful

misrepresentation, or concealment of material information was involved on the

part of the recipient or spouse in connection with the overpayment.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Makes a representative payee liable for an SSI overpayment caused by a payment made to the representative payee on behalf of a recipient, after the recipient’s death and requires SSA to establish an overpayment control record under

the representative payee’s Social Security number. 

Requires SSA to recover SSI overpayments from SSI lump-sum amounts by

withholding at least 50 percent of the lump-sum payment or the amount of the

overpayment, whichever is less.

Extends all of the debt collection authorities currently available for the collection of overpayments under the OASDI program to the SSI program.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Provides for recovery of overpayment of SSI benefits by withholding from

OASDI and Special Veterans’ benefits up to 100 percent of any underpayment

of benefits and 10 percent of ongoing monthly benefits. The 10 percent limit

does not apply if fraud, willful misrepresentation, or concealment of material

information was involved on the part of the recipient or spouse in connection

with the overpayment.

Also provides for recovery of overpayment of OASDI or Special Veterans’ benefits by withholding from SSI up to 100 percent of any underpayment of benefits, but limits any recovery from SSI benefits to the lesser of 100 percent of the

monthly benefit or 10 percent of the individual’s total monthly income.

Effective with respect to overpayments that are outstanding at the time of enactment. 
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Act

11. Attorney Fees

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Extends the current OASDI attorney fee withholding process to SSI for a period

of 5 years. 

Authorizes a 5-year demonstration project that extends attorney fee withholding

and direct pay procedures to non-attorney representatives who meet certain prerequisites.

2010

Public Law 111-142, 

enacted February 27

Permanently extends the OASDI attorney fee withholding and direct pay procedures to SSI. The prior authority expired February 28, 2010.

Permanently extends fee withholding and direct pay procedures to qualified

non-attorney representatives.
2010 SSI Annual Report

80

B. INCOME AND RESOURCE EXCLUSIONS

1. Earned Income Exclusions

 • Any refund of Federal income taxes received under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (relating

to earned income tax credit) and any payment received under section 3507 of the Internal Revenue

Code (relating to advance payment of earned income tax credit);

 • Rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and any other credit or refund

under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code;

 • Amounts received pursuant to the Making Work Pay tax credit set forth in the American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Any refundable child tax credit;

 • The first $30 of earned income in a quarter if it is infrequent or irregular, that is: (1) if it is received

only once in a calendar quarter from a single source and is not also received in the month immediately

preceding or the month immediately following the month of receipt regardless of whether or not these

payments occur in different calendar quarters; or (2) if its receipt cannot reasonably be expected;

 • Up to $1,6401 per month but not more than $6,600 in a calendar year received by a blind or disabled

recipient who is a working student under age 22 and regularly attending school;

 • Any portion of the monthly $20 exclusion for unearned income that has not been used;

 • $65 of earned income in a month;

 • Amounts used to pay impairment-related work expenses if a recipient is disabled (but not blind) and

under age 65 or is disabled (but not blind) and receiving SSI (or disability payments under a former

State plan) before age 652;

 • One-half of remaining earned income in a month;

 • Earned income used to meet any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of the income if the

recipient is blind and under age 65 or if he/she received SSI as a blind person prior to age 652;

 • Any earned income received and used to fulfill an approved plan to achieve self-support if the recipient is blind or disabled and under age 65 or is blind or disabled and received SSI as a blind or disabled

individual in the month before he/she attained age 65; 

 • Cash or in-kind income provided under an AmeriCorps program;

 • Any earned income deposited into either a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or

Assets for Independence Act individual development account (IDA); and

1 Increased from $1,550 and $6,240, respectively, effective January 1, 2009 (73 FR 64651). Under current regulations this exclusion is increased yearly

based on changes in the cost of living. Because there was no cost-of-living increase for 2010, the excluded amounts remain at 2009 levels.

2 Amounts used to pay impairment-related work expenses are deducted before the one-half of earned income deduction, whereas amounts used to pay the

work expenses of the blind are deducted after the one-half of earned income deduction. As a result, amounts of blind work expenses reduce SSI earned

income to a greater degree than impairment-related work expenses.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

 • Some Federal laws other than the Social Security Act provide for the exclusion of earned income for

SSI purposes. For the most part, the income received under these laws relates to assistance received in

the form of food, housing and utilities, educational and employment benefits or benefits derived from

being a member of a Native American tribe. A complete list of laws which exclude earned income

under SSI can be found in the Federal Regulations Appendix to Subpart K 20 CFR 416.

2. Unearned Income Exclusions

 • Any public agency’s refund of taxes on real property or food; 

 • Assistance based on need which is wholly funded by a State or one of its political subdivisions. This

includes State supplementation of Federal SSI benefits but does not include payments under a Federal/State grant program such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);

 • Any portion of a grant, scholarship, fellowship, or gift to an individual used for paying tuition, fees or

other necessary educational expenses. Portions set aside for food or shelter are counted;

 • Food raised by a household if it is consumed by that household;

 • Assistance received under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and assistance provided

under any Federal statute because of a catastrophe which the President of the United States declares to

be a major disaster;

 • Assistance received under a program for flood mitigation activities;

 • The first $60 of unearned income in a quarter if it is infrequent or irregular, that is: (1) if it is received

only once in a calendar quarter from a single source and is not also received in the month immediately

preceding or the month immediately following the month of receipt regardless of whether or not these

payments occur in different calendar quarters; or (2) if its receipt cannot reasonably be expected;

 • Any unearned income received and used to fulfill an approved plan to achieve self-support if the

recipient is blind or disabled and under age 65 or is blind or disabled and received SSI as a blind or

disabled individual in the month before he/she attained age 65;

 • Periodic payments made by a State under a program established before July 1, 1973, and based solely

on the recipient’s length of residence and attainment of age 65;

 • Payments for providing foster care to an ineligible child who was placed in the recipient’s home by a

public or private nonprofit child placement or child care agency;

 • Any interest earned on excluded burial funds and any appreciation in the value of an excluded burial

arrangement which are left to accumulate and become part of the separately identifiable burial fund;

 • Certain support and maintenance assistance provided in the form of home energy assistance;

 • One-third of support payments made by an absent parent if the recipient is a child;

 • The first $20 of unearned income in a month other than income in the form of in-kind support and

maintenance received in the household of another and income based on need;

 • The value of any assistance paid with respect to a dwelling unit under the United States Housing Act

of 1937, the National Housing Act, section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965,

title V of the Housing Act of 1949, or section 202(h) of the Housing Act of 1959;
2010 SSI Annual Report

82

 • Any interest accrued on and left to accumulate as part of the value of an excluded burial space purchase agreement (effective April 1, 1990) and any interest earned on the value of nonexcludable

burial funds and burial space purchase agreements is excluded from income (effective July 1, 2004);

 • The value of any commercial transportation ticket, for travel by a recipient or his/her spouse among

the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and

the Northern Mariana Islands, which is received as a gift and is not converted to cash;

 • Payments received from a fund established by a State to aid victims of crime;

 • Payments received from State-provided pensions to aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their

spouses);

 • Relocation assistance provided by a State or local government that is comparable to assistance provided under title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act

of 1970;

 • Hostile fire pay received from one of the uniformed services pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 310 and other

kinds of additional pay received by military personnel in a combat zone;

 • Interest or other earnings on a dedicated account excluded from resources;

 • In-kind gifts not converted to cash and the first $2,000 annually of cash gifts made by tax-exempt

organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to, or for the benefit of, individuals under age

18 with life-threatening conditions;

 • Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998;

 • TANF funds made available to an SSI recipient as part of an individual development account (IDA);

 • One-time economic recovery payment received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009;

 • Amounts received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund set forth in the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Deposits made by a participating individual or a sponsoring nonprofit organization or State or local

government into an IDA under the Assets for Independence Act IDA demonstration project and interest earned on these deposits; 

 • Unearned income excluded by other Federal laws. See Federal Regulations Appendix to Subpart K 20

CFR 416; and

 • Generally, all interest and dividend income earned on countable resources.

3. Resource Exclusions

 • The home in which an individual has ownership interest and which serves as the individual’s principal

place of residence (including the land appertaining thereto);

 • Household goods and personal effects;

 • One automobile if used for transportation for the beneficiary or a member of the beneficiary’s household;
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2010 SSI Annual Report

 • Property used in a trade or business which is essential to self-support;

 • Up to $6,000 of nonbusiness property which is essential to self-support;

 • Resources of a blind or disabled individual which are necessary to fulfill an approved plan to achieve

self-support;

 • Stock in regional or village corporations held by natives of Alaska during the 20-year period in which

the stock is inalienable pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act;

 • Life insurance owned by an individual (and spouse, if any) provided that all life insurance on any person does not exceed a face value of $1,500;

 • Restricted allotted Indian lands;

 • Disaster relief assistance;

 • Assistance received under a program for flood mitigation activities;

 • Burial spaces and certain funds up to $1,500 for burial expenses;

 • Title XVI or title II retroactive payments (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Housing assistance;

 • Refunds of Federal income taxes and advances made by an employer relating to an earned income tax

credit (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and any other credit or refund

under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code, during the month of receipt or the following 2

months;

 • One-time economic recovery payment received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009, for the month of receipt and the following 9 months;

 • Amounts received pursuant to the Making Work Pay tax credit set forth in the American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009, for the month of receipt and the following 2 months;

 • Amounts received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund set forth in the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Refundable child tax credit (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Grants, scholarships, fellowships or gifts to be used for tuition or educational fees (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Payments received as compensation for expenses incurred or losses suffered as a result of a crime (for

9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Relocation assistance from a State or local government (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Payments made from State-provided pensions to aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their spouses);

 • Dedicated financial institution accounts for disabled children;
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84

 • In-kind gifts not converted to cash and the first $2,000 annually of cash gifts made by tax-exempt

organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to, or for the benefit of, individuals under age

18 with life-threatening conditions;

 • Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998;

 • Amounts deposited into either a TANF or Assets for Independence Act IDA, including matching

funds and interest earned on such amounts;

 • Certain trusts (e.g., those established by will or certain Medicaid trusts that will repay the State, upon

the death of the beneficiary, for the costs of medical assistance provided to that individual); and

 • Payments or benefits provided under a Federal statute other than title XVI of the Social Security Act

where exclusion is provided by such statute.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

C. HISTORICAL ALLOWANCE DATA

At the end of 2009, 85 percent of SSI recipients were receiving benefits based on a determination of disability or blindness. Claims are filed at a local Social Security office and claims requiring an evaluation of

disability are sent to the State DDS for a decision. Initial DDS decisions that are unfavorable to the applicant may be appealed. Historically, all appeals were initiated at the DDS level with a request for reconsideration of that initial denial. Persons denied at the reconsideration level could then request a hearing before

an administrative law judge (ALJ), and if dissatisfied with the hearing decision could request a review by

the Appeals Council. Those dissatisfied with the Appeals Council’s action could seek further relief via the

Federal court system. This appeals process is still in effect for the majority of new applicants.1 However,

since the mid-1990s SSA has conducted small pilots testing revisions to this process and introduced a

modification of this process that has been utilized in 10 States for applications filed on or after October 1,

1999. Under this revised process, the first level of appeal of an initial determination is a request for hearing before an ALJ, thereby eliminating the reconsideration step.

Such a process of application and appeal can, in some cases, span several years. However, before 1993,

the only data available on the disability determination process resided in files compiled at each separate

stage of the process and only captured various point-in-time snapshots. A complete picture of the disability determination process can be fully understood only by compiling a longitudinal database from administrative records at all levels of appeal. Beginning in 1993, such a longitudinal database (the “Disability

Research File”) was constructed by SSA’s Office of Disability Programs to assist the agency in understanding and managing this process. In constructing this database, some problems were encountered due to

inconsistencies in the data collected from all the respective levels of appeal. The following sections present some additional details and qualifications essential to a complete understanding of the resulting data.

Following these technical notes are tables based on the Disability Research File which show the latest

available summary of results on disability determinations under title XVI.

1. Technical Notes on the Disability Research File

Methods used to build the title XVI Disability Research File—The “base” file for the title XVI research

file is the Supplemental Security Record (SSR). This “base” file is matched against records from various

other administrative sources, including transactions from the disability determination (SSA-831) files,

Social Security number identification records and earnings data, and ODAR case control data. 

The process used to build this research file is cumbersome, involving about 200 steps, and generally

requiring 2 to 4 months to complete. Much of this complexity flows from the fact that the file is assembled

based on filing date cohorts, even though many of the source files do not contain a filing date. The three

most recent calendar year cohorts are completely reassembled from the basic data sources2. Older calendar year cohorts are updated to reflect activity since the last time the file was built. Since the process is so

time consuming, the research file is updated only annually (usually beginning in July). Therefore, research

file data are not yet available for claims filed in 2009.

1 Implementation of the Disability Service Improvement (DSI) process began in the Boston region in August 2006. The DSI process eliminated reconsideration as the first level of appeal of an initial disability determination and introduced review by the Office of the Federal Reviewing Official (OFedRO) in its

place. By final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 2411) SSA suspended new claims to the OFedRO level; this change was effective March 23,

2008 (73 FR 10381). For those initial disability appeals that had not been transferred to OFedRO on or before the effective date, the procedure for the first

level of appeal reverted to that which was in place prior to August 2006, i.e., reconsideration. The DSI regulations also modified administrative appeal of an

ALJ’s decision or dismissal. These modifications remain in effect in the Boston region, although it is SSA’s intention to return the Boston region to the

national appeal system.

2 To incorporate modifications to the process for building the most recent research file, calendar years 1999 through 2007 were completely reassembled

from the basic data sources.
2010 SSI Annual Report

86

Methods used for estimating results (through February 2010) for claims filed in 2009—Although decision

counts are available for 2009 filers (from many of the “source” files), those counts do not translate directly

into the claims/appeals counts included in the following tables, due to the consolidation of multiple transactions (and application of claims-based tolerance rules) which occurs when the research file is built.

To prepare preliminary estimates of results (through February 2010) for 2009 filers, we started from the

latest available transaction data, such as the SSA-831 data, and took into account recent years’ experience

of the relationship between corresponding earlier transaction data and the resulting claims/appeals data in

completed research files. Estimates of ODAR appeals activity are taken from a file which tracks individual

claimants, rather than individual claims, which may result in a slight undercount of ODAR activity. 

While we believe that these methods are reasonable, it must be emphasized that the resulting estimates

may prove to be of limited reliability, especially in light of the fact that the estimates give results only

through February 2010, whereas the final research files will reflect information through June 2010. Actual

data for 2009 will be available to replace these estimates in the 2011 Annual Report.

2. General Considerations

Some general points that apply to tables V.C1 and V.C2 are as follows:

 • Data for 1988-2008 filers are as of August 2009 for decisions at the DDS and OFedRO levels. Results

for those years’ filers have been updated to include results at the hearing and Appeals Council levels

and Federal courts through August 2009. 

 • Data for 2009 filers are preliminary estimates as of February 2010, and reflect larger numbers of

claims still pending. February 2010 data on number of claims appealed may be too low because larger

numbers of claimants are still within the period allowed for filing an appeal (i.e., larger numbers of

recently denied claimants who have not yet filed an appeal may appeal before the time limit runs out). 

 • Remaining appeals will affect the results. Since allowances are generally processed more quickly than

denials, we expect that the percent allowed will ultimately be lower as all cases are processed. 

 • In certain pilot activities and under the revised process introduced October 1, 1999 in 10 States, initial

denials can be appealed directly to ODAR without a separate reconsideration step. As a result the

appeals of initial denials shown in these tables include cases which will not receive a decision at the

reconsideration level.

 • The cases appealed to the OFedRO level under the DSI process are not shown separately, but are

included in these tables in the reconsideration counts.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Table V.C1.—Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision

Calendar year

of filing 

Total

claims

filed

Initial decisions

Pending

Allowances Denials Appeals of initial denials

Number Percent b Number Percent b Number c Percent d

1988 946,603 — 272,204 28.8 674,399 71.2 265,151 39.3

1989 969,218 — 292,044 30.1 677,174 69.9 274,823 40.6

1990 1,099,805 — 347,823 31.6 751,982 68.4 320,207 42.6

1991 1,288,331 — 415,336 32.2 872,995 67.8 383,669 43.9

1992 1,415,624 — 436,888 30.9 978,736 69.1 433,244 44.3

1993 1,503,278 — 416,300 27.7 1,086,978 72.3 485,166 44.6

1994 1,436,958 — 353,995 24.6 1,082,963 75.4 482,533 44.6

1995 1,318,416 — 323,084 24.5 995,332 75.5 439,166 44.1

1996 1,247,926 — 305,351 24.5 942,575 75.5 406,425 43.1

1997 1,110,898 — 292,839 26.4 818,059 73.6 357,973 43.8

1998 1,108,957 — 322,734 29.1 786,223 70.9 339,288 43.2

1999 1,105,109 — 326,734 29.6 778,375 70.4 340,114 43.7

2000 1,139,623 — 341,530 30.0 798,093 70.0 343,610 43.1

2001 1,216,040 — 362,896 29.8 853,144 70.2 366,261 42.9

2002 1,322,451 — 368,077 27.8 954,374 72.2 411,634 43.1

2003 1,403,003 — 375,486 26.8 1,027,517 73.2 438,083 42.6

2004 1,475,149 — 381,165 25.8 1,093,984 74.2 440,997 40.3

2005 1,470,300 — 366,781 24.9 1,103,519 75.1 427,290 38.7

2006 1,499,551 — 360,656 24.1 1,138,895 75.9 435,603 38.2

2007 1,511,621 — 366,366 24.2 1,145,255 75.8 448,554 39.2

2008 1,608,417 11,726 401,273 25.1 1,195,418 74.9 484,594 40.5

2009 1,892,265 293,758 484,472 30.3 1,114,035 69.7 360,308 32.3

Calendar year

of filing 

Reconsiderationse Appeals beyond reconsideration f

Pending

Allowances

Denials

Appeals of

reconsideration denials Allowances

Number Percent b Number g Percent d Pending h Number Percent i Denialsj

1988 — 38,385 14.5 226,766 140,663 62.0 — 82,414 58.6 58,249

1989 — 43,505 15.8 231,318 146,082 63.2 — 90,169 61.7 55,913

1990 — 52,055 16.3 268,152 175,520 65.5 — 109,098 62.2 66,422

1991 — 59,157 15.4 324,512 221,816 68.4 — 139,698 63.0 82,118

1992 — 58,819 13.6 374,425 260,554 69.6 — 159,084 61.1 101,470

1993 — 57,938 11.9 427,228 294,801 69.0 — 170,402 57.8 124,399

1994 — 55,822 11.6 426,711 293,448 68.8 — 164,537 56.1 128,911

1995 — 51,697 11.8 387,469 264,270 68.2 — 143,582 54.3 120,688

1996 — 49,263 12.1 357,162 242,407 67.9 — 133,323 55.0 109,084

1997 — 47,573 13.4 306,561 213,969 69.8 — 121,619 55.8 96,189

1998 — 46,507 13.7 292,272 203,767 69.7 — 115,323 56.5 88,953

1999 — 40,375 12.5 283,475 199,371 70.3 — 117,431 54.5 98,204

2000 — 39,222 13.7 246,911 175,025 70.9 — 125,910 54.2 106,592

2001 — 39,708 13.7 249,364 175,474 70.4 — 135,841 53.8 116,822

2002 — 41,301 12.8 280,321 198,404 70.8 2,479 152,963 53.5 132,974

2003 — 41,976 12.2 303,072 213,052 70.3 3,628 161,795 53.5 140,664

2004 — 40,400 11.7 305,233 214,280 70.2 6,995 164,656 54.4 137,993

2005 — 38,560 11.5 296,051 208,154 70.3 14,718 161,239 56.4 124,876

2006 — 38,394 11.3 301,797 213,546 70.8 37,765 159,095 58.7 112,098

2007 — 41,653 11.8 311,192 221,368 71.1 132,529 111,125 60.2 73,423

2008 39,329 33,891 9.7 316,729 222,377 70.2 256,602 36,597 60.6 23,823

2009 100,162 22,245 11.6 169,061 70,089 41.5 125,261 9,884 72.3 3,784
2010 SSI Annual Report

88

a Data for claims filed in 1988-2008 reflect results as of August 2009. The numbers of total claims filed for 2006-08 are subject to change. The numbers of

total claims for the 1999 and later cohorts have changed from those shown in the 2009 SSI Annual Report since the experience for those cohorts was completely reassembled from basic data sources as part of modifications to the procedures for building the research file. Data for claims filed in 2009 are preliminary estimates as of February 2010. The ultimate numbers of allowances and denials are subject to change until all initial decisions have been completed and

all appeals are final.

b Percentage of decisions at this level.

c Includes certain cases which can be appealed directly to the hearing level.

d Percentage of denials at this level appealed to next level.

e Includes cases reviewed by a Federal Reviewing Official (FedRO) as part of the DSI process.

f Includes cases appealed to the hearing and Appeals Council levels and to the Federal courts.

g Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

h Includes cases remanded to SSA from the Federal courts.

i Percentage of decisions at this level. For years in which decisions are still pending, the preliminary percentage shown is expected to ultimately be lower

as all cases are processed. This occurs because allowances are generally processed more quickly than denials.

j Includes denied claims where the final administrative action was a dismissal of an appeal request (e.g., the appeal was not filed timely or the applicant

failed to appear at the scheduled hearing).

Table V.C1.—Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status: Numbers of cases

Total

claims

filed

Initial

decisions

pending

Total

initial

decisions Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1988 946,603 — 946,603 393,003 — 553,600

1989 969,218 — 969,218 425,718 — 543,500

1990 1,099,805 — 1,099,805 508,976 — 590,829

1991 1,288,331 — 1,288,331 614,191 — 674,140

1992 1,415,624 — 1,415,624 654,791 — 760,833

1993 1,503,278 — 1,503,278 644,640 — 858,638

1994 1,436,958 — 1,436,958 574,354 — 862,604

1995 1,318,416 — 1,318,416 518,363 — 800,053

1996 1,247,926 — 1,247,926 487,937 — 759,989

1997 1,110,898 — 1,110,898 462,031 — 648,867

1998 1,108,957 — 1,108,957 484,564 — 624,393

1999 1,105,109 — 1,105,109 484,540 — 620,569

2000 1,139,623 — 1,139,623 506,662 — 632,961

2001 1,216,040 — 1,216,040 538,445 — 677,595

2002 1,322,451 — 1,322,451 562,341 2,479 757,631

2003 1,403,003 — 1,403,003 579,257 3,628 820,118

2004 1,475,149 — 1,475,149 586,221 6,995 881,933

2005 1,470,300 — 1,470,300 566,580 14,718 889,002

2006 1,499,551 — 1,499,551 558,145 37,765 903,641

2007 1,511,621 — 1,511,621 519,144 132,529 859,948

2008 1,608,417 11,726 1,596,691 471,761 295,931 828,999

2009 1,892,265 293,758 1,598,507 516,601 225,423 856,483

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status

Numbers as a percentage of total claims filed Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Initial

decision

pending Allowances

Denials

Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1988 — 41.5 — 58.5 41.5 — 58.5

1989 — 43.9 — 56.1 43.9 — 56.1

1990 — 46.3 — 53.7 46.3 — 53.7

1991 — 47.7 — 52.3 47.7 — 52.3

1992 — 46.3 — 53.7 46.3 — 53.7

1993 — 42.9 — 57.1 42.9 — 57.1

1994 — 40.0 — 60.0 40.0 — 60.0

1995 — 39.3 — 60.7 39.3 — 60.7

1996 — 39.1 — 60.9 39.1 — 60.9

1997 — 41.6 — 58.4 41.6 — 58.4

1998 — 43.7 — 56.3 43.7 — 56.3

1999 — 43.8 — 56.2 43.8 — 56.2

2000 — 44.5 — 55.5 44.5 — 55.5

2001 — 44.3 — 55.7 44.3 — 55.7

2002 — 42.5 0.2 57.3 42.5 0.2 57.3

2003 — 41.3 .3 58.5 41.3 .3 58.5

2004 — 39.7 .5 59.8 39.7 .5 59.8

2005 — 38.5 1.0 60.5 38.5 1.0 60.5

2006 — 37.2 2.5 60.3 37.2 2.5 60.3

2007 — 34.3 8.8 56.9 34.3 8.8 56.9

2008 0.7 29.3 18.4 51.5 29.5 18.5 51.9

2009 15.5 27.3 11.9 45.3 32.3 14.1 53.6
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Table V.C2.—Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision

Calendar year

of filing 

Total

claims

filed

Initial decisions

Pending

Allowances Denials Appeals of initial denials

Number Percent b Number Percent b Number c Percent d

1991 250,962 — 148,220 59.1 102,742 40.9 24,702 24.0

1992 372,971 — 189,079 50.7 183,892 49.3 49,297 26.8

1993 496,131 — 212,268 42.8 283,863 57.2 75,967 26.8

1994 525,013 — 172,219 32.8 352,794 67.2 92,093 26.1

1995 487,730 — 144,231 29.6 343,499 70.4 86,841 25.3

1996 453,473 — 127,416 28.1 326,057 71.9 75,013 23.0

1997 332,032 — 106,528 32.1 225,504 67.9 51,493 22.8

1998 335,732 — 123,249 36.7 212,483 63.3 50,110 23.6

1999 342,162 — 129,375 37.8 212,787 62.2 49,996 23.5

2000 349,285 — 137,009 39.2 212,276 60.8 49,345 23.2

2001 367,726 — 150,955 41.1 216,771 58.9 50,665 23.4

2002 402,116 — 163,335 40.6 238,781 59.4 57,749 24.2

2003 425,336 — 170,580 40.1 254,756 59.9 61,776 24.2

2004 435,562 — 172,522 39.6 263,040 60.4 60,531 23.0

2005 424,876 — 161,674 38.1 263,202 61.9 57,398 21.8

2006 432,747 — 158,806 36.7 273,941 63.3 60,773 22.2

2007 434,895 — 160,841 37.0 274,054 63.0 62,026 22.6

2008 450,736 2,012 171,808 38.3 276,916 61.7 66,197 23.9

2009 530,891 74,889 197,449 43.3 258,553 56.7 51,858 20.1

Calendar year

of filing 

Reconsiderationse Appeals beyond reconsideration f

Pending

Allowances

Denials

Appeals of

reconsideration

denials Allowances

Number Percent b Number g Percent d Pending h Number Percent i Denialsj

1991 — 5,605 22.7 19,097 9,196 48.2 — 3,884 42.2 5,312

1992 — 9,463 19.2 39,834 19,770 49.6 — 7,523 38.1 12,247

1993 — 11,338 14.9 64,629 31,193 48.3 — 10,638 34.1 20,555

1994 — 11,332 12.3 80,761 38,433 47.6 — 12,954 33.7 25,479

1995 — 10,287 11.8 76,554 35,592 46.5 — 10,924 30.7 24,668

1996 — 9,355 12.5 65,658 27,920 42.5 — 8,853 31.7 19,067

1997 — 8,266 16.2 42,705 18,916 44.3 — 7,027 36.2 12,411

1998 — 7,799 15.6 42,237 18,762 44.4 — 7,034 37.3 11,802

1999 — 6,475 13.8 40,423 18,164 44.9 — 7,558 35.5 13,704

2000 — 6,812 17.5 32,047 14,601 45.6 — 8,903 35.5 16,184

2001 — 6,956 18.5 30,614 13,703 44.8 — 9,387 35.0 17,411

2002 — 7,597 17.7 35,213 15,590 44.3 149 10,528 34.7 19,852

2003 — 8,119 17.4 38,621 16,554 42.9 197 10,782 34.3 20,611

2004 — 7,606 16.6 38,249 16,065 42.0 464 10,524 34.8 19,753

2005 — 7,534 17.1 36,577 15,467 42.3 1,137 9,879 35.8 17,738

2006 — 7,858 16.7 39,326 16,718 42.5 3,914 10,362 39.3 16,031

2007 — 8,016 16.5 40,591 17,589 43.3 14,030 6,738 39.7 10,240

2008 5,385 7,500 15.6 40,721 18,384 45.1 25,674 2,046 38.6 3,255

2009 13,115 3,502 13.1 23,251 7,761 33.4 18,549 411 34.2 791
2010 SSI Annual Report

90

a Data for claims filed in 1991-2008 reflect results as of August 2009. The numbers of total claims filed for 2006-08 are subject to change. The numbers of

total claims for the 1999 and later cohorts have changed from those shown in the 2009 SSI Annual Report since the experience for those cohorts was completely reassembled from basic data sources as part of modifications to the procedures for building the research file. Data for claims filed in 2009 are preliminary estimates as of February 2010. The ultimate numbers of allowances and denials are subject to change until all initial decisions have been completed and

all appeals are final.

b Percentage of decisions at this level.

c Includes certain cases which can be appealed directly to the hearing level.

d Percentage of denials at this level appealed to next level.

e Includes cases reviewed by a Federal Reviewing Official (FedRO) as part of the DSI process.

f Includes cases appealed to the hearing and Appeals Council levels and to the Federal courts.

g Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

h Includes cases remanded to SSA from the Federal courts. i Percentage of decisions at this level. For years in which decisions are still pending, the preliminary percentage shown is expected to ultimately be lower

as all cases are processed. This occurs because allowances are generally processed more quickly than denials.

j Includes denied claims where the final administrative action was a dismissal of an appeal request (e.g., the appeal was not filed timely or the applicant

failed to appear at the scheduled hearing).

k Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.C2.—Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status: Numbers of cases

Total

claims

filed

Initial

decisions

pending

Total

initial

decisions Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1991 250,962 — 250,962 157,709 — 93,253

1992 372,971 — 372,971 206,065 — 166,906

1993 496,131 — 496,131 234,244 — 261,887

1994 525,013 — 525,013 196,505 — 328,508

1995 487,730 — 487,730 165,442 — 322,288

1996 453,473 — 453,473 145,624 — 307,849

1997 332,032 — 332,032 121,821 — 210,211

1998 335,732 — 335,732 138,082 — 197,650

1999 342,162 — 342,162 143,408 — 198,754

2000 349,285 — 349,285 152,724 — 196,561

2001 367,726 — 367,726 167,298 — 200,428

2002 402,116 — 402,116 181,460 149 220,507

2003 425,336 — 425,336 189,481 197 235,658

2004 435,562 — 435,562 190,652 464 244,446

2005 424,876 — 424,876 179,087 1,137 244,652

2006 432,747 — 432,747 177,026 3,914 251,807

2007 434,895 — 434,895 175,595 14,030 245,270

2008 450,736 2,012 448,724 181,354 31,059 236,311

2009 530,891 74,889 456,002 201,362 31,664 222,976

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status

Numbers as a percentage of total claims filed Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Initial

decision

pending Allowances

Denials

Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1991 — 62.8 — 37.2 62.8 — 37.2

1992 — 55.2 — 44.8 55.2 — 44.8

1993 — 47.2 — 52.8 47.2 — 52.8

1994 — 37.4 — 62.6 37.4 — 62.6

1995 — 33.9 — 66.1 33.9 — 66.1

1996 — 32.1 — 67.9 32.1 — 67.9

1997 — 36.7 — 63.3 36.7 — 63.3

1998 — 41.1 — 58.9 41.1 — 58.9

1999 — 41.9 — 58.1 41.9 — 58.1

2000 — 43.7 — 56.3 43.7 — 56.3

2001 — 45.5 — 54.5 45.5 — 54.5

2002 — 45.1 k 54.8 45.1 k 54.8

2003 — 44.5 k 55.4 44.5 k 55.4

2004 — 43.8 0.1 56.1 43.8 0.1 56.1

2005 — 42.2 .3 57.6 42.2 .3 57.6

2006 — 40.9 .9 58.2 40.9 .9 58.2

2007 — 40.4 3.2 56.4 40.4 3.2 56.4

2008 0.4 40.2 6.9 52.4 40.4 6.9 52.7

2009 14.1 37.9 6.0 42.0 44.2 6.9 48.9
91

2010 SSI Annual Report

D. HISTORICAL REDETERMINATION AND CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW DATA

1. Redeterminations

Redeterminations are reviews of all of the nonmedical factors of eligibility to determine whether a recipient is still eligible for SSI and still receiving the correct payment amount. There are two types of redeterminations: scheduled and unscheduled. All recipients are subject to periodic scheduling for a

redetermination. Every year SSA schedules for redetermination the cases most likely to have payment

error, but even cases unlikely to have payment error can also be scheduled for review. Unscheduled redeterminations are completed on an as needed basis when recipients report, or we discover, certain changes

in circumstances that could affect the continuing SSI payment amount. The numbers of redeterminations

completed are subject to some year-to-year fluctuation because of variation in the numbers of unscheduled

redeterminations completed and in the numbers of scheduled redeterminations that were completed during

the fiscal year due to administrative resource limitations and the impact of other workload requirements on

the field offices. When redeterminations cannot be completed in the fiscal year scheduled, they are carried

over into the next fiscal year. 

During periods between scheduled redeterminations, SSA uses the limited issue process to detect situations that have the potential to affect the continuing eligibility of SSI recipients and SSI payment amounts.

SSA conducts periodic computer matches between its own systems and the systems of other Federal and

State agencies to determine if the income and resources information on SSI recipients’ records is in conflict with data obtained from the other systems. Matches detecting conflicting information usually result in

the posting of an indicator to the Supplemental Security Record of the SSI recipient. The limited issue

case is then selected for a field office review of the issue for which the indicator was posted. Beginning in

fiscal year 2007, SSA included limited issue completions with redetermination completions.

Table V.D1 provides historical data on numbers of redeterminations and limited issues completed by fiscal

year. 

aEffective fiscal year 2007, total redeterminations reported by SSA include limited issues.

bData not available.

cDecrease in number of redeterminations completed in fiscal year 1994 due to low-error profile redeterminations not being completed

from January through September 1994.

dEffective fiscal year 1995, approximately 200,000 fewer redeterminations were selected annually due to a change from a 3-year to a 6-year redetermination cycle for low-error profile cases.

eFewer redeterminations were selected in fiscal years 2005-09 due to limitations on administrative funding.

Table V.D1.—SSI Redeterminationsa and Limited Issues Completed, Fiscal Years 1986-2009

[In thousands] 

Numbers of completions

Fiscal year Redeterminations Limited issues Total

1986................................................. 2,278 b b

1987................................................. 2,244 b b

1988................................................. 1,997 b b

1989................................................. 2,226 b b

1990................................................. 2,103 b b

1991................................................. 2,138 b b

1992................................................. 2,321 b b

1993................................................. 2,223 b b

1994................................................. c 1,900 b b

1995................................................. d1,597 b b

1996................................................. 1,763 b b

1997................................................. 1,773 b b

1998................................................. 1,853 b b

1999................................................. 2,122 751 2,873

2000................................................. 2,182 582 2,764

2001................................................. 2,316 589 2,905

2002................................................. 2,311 582 2,894

2003................................................. 2,450 472 2,921

2004................................................. 2,279 248 2,527

2005................................................. e1,725 737 2,462

2006................................................. e1,071 348 1,418

2007................................................. e692 346 1,039

2008................................................. e 900 321 1,221

2009................................................. e1,390 341 1,731
2010 SSI Annual Report

92

2. Continuing Disability Reviews

Following enactment of the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980, section 221(i) of the Social

Security Act generally requires SSA to review the continuing eligibility of title II disabled beneficiaries at

least every 3 years. A similar requirement was not put in place at that time for disabled title XVI recipients. Although the Committee on Finance of the Senate stated in its report on this legislation that the same

continuing disability review (CDR) procedures should be applied with respect to both the title II and

title XVI programs, title XVI was not amended to accomplish this. Section 1614(a)(4) of the Act gives

SSA discretionary authority to conduct periodic CDRs on SSI recipients. On September 28, 1994, SSA

issued a Federal Register notice that periodic SSI CDRs would begin on October 1, 1994. In 1994 and

again in 1996 legislation was enacted adding some mandates for the performance of CDRs under the SSI

program.

Public Law 103-296 specified that during each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, SSA was required to

conduct CDRs on a minimum of 100,000 SSI recipients. In addition, during the same period, SSA was

required to redetermine the SSI eligibility of at least one-third of all SSI child recipients who reached age

18 after April 1995 during the 1-year period following attainment of age 18. Such redeterminations for

persons turning age 18 could count toward the 100,000 CDR requirement.

Public Law 104-193 extended the requirement of redetermination of SSI eligibility to all SSI child recipients who reach age 18, with such redetermination being based on the adult eligibility criteria. This law

also added the requirement that a CDR be performed:

 • At least once every 3 years for SSI recipients under age 18 who are eligible by reason of an impairment which is likely to improve, and

 • Not later than 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is a contributing factor

material to the determination of their disability unless the Commissioner determines that the impairment is not expected to improve within 12 months of the child’s birth.

Public Law 105-33 gave SSA some additional flexibility in the scheduling of these categories of CDRs.

In order to handle the large CDR workload mandated under these various provisions, SSA developed,

beginning in 1993, a process by which certain title II cases scheduled for a CDR would be screened using

the results of a profiling process which included a mailer questionnaire for some cases. In 1996 the profiling process was extended to title XVI adults who were scheduled for a CDR. In fiscal year 2009, the

screening process resulted in the deferral of full medical reviews for 355,789 cases for which a scheduled

CDR involving title XVI recipients was processed. In 2007, SSA implemented a streamlined failure to

cooperate (FTC) process for medical CDRs. Under this process recipients who fail to comply with the

field office requests for information necessary for processing their medical CDRs have their benefits suspended. Subsequently SSA terminated their eligibility for disability benefits after 12 consecutive months

of suspension for noncompliance. The streamlined FTC process resulted in the initial termination of 440

centrally-initiated medical CDRs involving title XVI recipients in fiscal year 2009.

For cases involving individuals who receive both title II and title XVI benefits, CDRs are initiated as title

II CDRs with the results of the review affecting eligibility for benefits under both programs. Tables V.D2

and V.D3 present the latest available summary of results1 on CDRs of title XVI recipients performed

under titles II and XVI since 1993. These tables include only cases for which a full medical review was

conducted. In particular they do not include:

 • Cases for which a mailer was completed, but for which a full medical review was deferred;

1 The numbers of SSI recipients whose benefits are ceased as a result of CDRs are included in these tables. Estimates of Federal SSI program savings

resulting from the cessation of benefits are reported to Congress in the Annual Report of Continuing Disability Reviews. The most recent such report was

issued December 22, 2009, presenting estimates of the effects of CDRs conducted in fiscal year 2008.
93

2010 SSI Annual Report

 • Administrative closures—cases for which we curtail development for technical reasons;

 • Streamlined FTC terminations;

 • CDRs initiated as the result of work activity on the part of the beneficiary/recipient; and

 • Miscellaneous other CDRs processed by the State DDS but not as part of the normal CDR scheduling

process (such as voluntary and third-party reports of medical improvement, post-transplant end-stage

renal disease cases, and vocational rehabilitation reports).

In contrast with the allowance data presented in section V.C, the CDR data is tabulated on a cohort basis

by the date of initial decision.
2010 SSI Annual Report

94

Table V.D2.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Initial decisions

Total initial

DDS decisions

Continuations Cessations Appeals to reconsideration

Number Percent b Number Percent b Number Percent c

Reviews of concurrent title II/XVI cases initiated under title II

1993 1,143 1,083 94.8 60 5.2 52 86.7

1994 10,945 9,127 83.4 1,818 16.6 1,253 68.9

1995 16,736 12,484 74.6 4,252 25.4 2,905 68.3

1996 26,884 20,636 76.8 6,248 23.2 4,119 65.9

1997 51,466 40,741 79.2 10,725 20.8 7,344 68.5

1998 81,185 68,533 84.4 12,652 15.6 8,723 68.9

1999 80,816 70,353 87.1 10,463 12.9 6,201 59.3

2000 105,787 93,962 88.8 11,825 11.2 6,851 57.9

2001 110,341 99,666 90.3 10,675 9.7 6,291 58.9

2002 103,947 92,069 88.6 11,878 11.4 7,087 59.7

2003 72,175 63,021 87.3 9,154 12.7 5,444 59.5

2004 84,622 75,047 88.7 9,575 11.3 5,902 61.6

2005 80,597 70,687 87.7 9,910 12.3 5,952 60.1

2006 71,825 63,789 88.8 8,036 11.2 4,791 59.6

2007 26,469 22,893 86.5 3,576 13.5 2,136 59.7

2008 40,045 35,891 89.6 4,154 10.4 2,682 64.6

2009 41,609 38,238 91.9 3,371 8.1 1,511 44.8

Title XVI initiated reviews

1993 — — — — — — —

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 4,287 3,277 76.4 1,010 23.6 665 65.8

1996 55,025 46,273 84.1 8,752 15.9 6,146 70.2

1997 69,557 57,662 82.9 11,895 17.1 8,722 73.3

1998 75,071 64,829 86.4 10,242 13.6 7,239 70.7

1999 140,429 125,079 89.1 15,350 10.9 10,292 67.0

2000 173,470 156,065 90.0 17,405 10.0 10,923 62.8

2001 143,902 126,610 88.0 17,292 12.0 10,262 59.3

2002 172,527 150,837 87.4 21,690 12.6 13,313 61.4

2003 213,212 191,061 89.6 22,151 10.4 14,667 66.2

2004 221,129 199,938 90.4 21,191 9.6 14,627 69.0

2005 110,072 97,330 88.4 12,742 11.6 8,126 63.8

2006 40,605 35,957 88.6 4,648 11.4 2,848 61.3

2007 18,172 16,006 88.1 2,166 11.9 1,417 65.4

2008 18,933 17,049 90.0 1,884 10.0 1,247 66.2

2009 29,137 27,233 93.5 1,904 6.5 940 49.4

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1993 1,143 1,083 94.8 60 5.2 52 86.7

1994 10,945 9,127 83.4 1,818 16.6 1,253 68.9

1995 21,023 15,761 75.0 5,262 25.0 3,570 67.8

1996 81,909 66,909 81.7 15,000 18.3 10,265 68.4

1997 121,023 98,403 81.3 22,620 18.7 16,066 71.0

1998 156,256 133,362 85.3 22,894 14.7 15,962 69.7

1999 221,245 195,432 88.3 25,813 11.7 16,493 63.9

2000 279,257 250,027 89.5 29,230 10.5 17,774 60.8

2001 254,243 226,276 89.0 27,967 11.0 16,553 59.2

2002 276,474 242,906 87.9 33,568 12.1 20,400 60.8

2003 285,387 254,082 89.0 31,305 11.0 20,111 64.2

2004 305,751 274,985 89.9 30,766 10.1 20,529 66.7

2005 190,669 168,017 88.1 22,652 11.9 14,078 62.1

2006 112,430 99,746 88.7 12,684 11.3 7,639 60.2

2007 44,641 38,899 87.1 5,742 12.9 3,553 61.9

2008 58,978 52,940 89.8 6,038 10.2 3,929 65.1

2009 70,746 65,471 92.5 5,275 7.5 2,451 46.5
95

2010 SSI Annual Report

Table V.D2.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Dispositiona of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Reconsiderations Appeals beyond reconsiderationd 

Pending

Continuations

Cessations

Appeals to beyond

reconsideration

Pending

Continuations

Number Percent Cessations b Number e Percent c Number Percent

Reviews of concurrent title II/XVI cases initiated under title II

1993 — 22 42.3 30 14 46.7 — 9 64.3 5

1994 — 541 43.2 712 399 56.0 — 177 44.4 222

1995 — 1,245 42.9 1,660 1,007 60.7 — 382 37.9 625

1996 — 1,875 45.5 2,244 1,313 58.5 — 427 32.5 886

1997 — 4,297 58.5 3,047 2,257 74.1 — 973 43.1 1,284

1998 — 5,503 63.1 3,220 2,466 76.6 — 1,158 47.0 1,308

1999 — 3,974 64.1 2,227 1,542 69.2 — 679 44.0 863

2000 — 4,427 64.6 2,424 1,556 64.2 — 659 42.4 897

2001 3 4,177 66.4 2,111 1,240 58.7 — 496 40.0 744

2002 8 4,787 67.6 2,292 1,450 63.3 1 594 41.0 855

2003 3 3,575 65.7 1,866 1,177 63.1 — 480 40.8 697

2004 21 3,781 64.3 2,100 1,402 66.8 1 587 41.9 814

2005 77 3,832 65.2 2,043 1,436 70.3 3 610 42.6 823

2006 110 3,043 65.0 1,638 1,180 72.0 16 498 42.8 666

2007 30 1,464 69.5 642 476 74.1 86 148 37.9 242

2008 153 1,777 70.3 752 527 70.1 228 120 40.1 179

2009 171 1,009 75.3 331 185 55.9 163 6 27.3 16

Title XVI initiated reviews

1993 — — — — — — — — — —

1994 — — — — — — — — — —

1995 — 241 36.2 424 267 63.0 — 87 32.6 180

1996 — 3,289 53.5 2,857 1,946 68.1 — 623 32.0 1,323

1997 — 5,271 60.4 3,451 2,575 74.6 — 986 38.3 1,589

1998 — 4,527 62.5 2,712 1,987 73.3 — 781 39.3 1,206

1999 — 6,610 64.2 3,682 2,508 68.1 — 973 38.8 1,535

2000 — 6,823 62.5 4,100 2,778 67.8 — 1,057 38.0 1,721

2001 — 6,224 60.7 4,038 2,618 64.8 — 934 35.7 1,684

2002 2 8,160 61.3 5,151 3,321 64.5 — 1,108 33.4 2,213

2003 3 9,656 65.8 5,008 3,334 66.6 — 1,232 37.0 2,102

2004 2 9,404 64.3 5,221 3,741 71.7 — 1,446 38.7 2,295

2005 28 5,235 64.6 2,863 2,025 70.7 2 748 37.0 1,275

2006 39 1,808 64.4 1,001 699 69.8 7 254 36.7 438

2007 8 964 68.4 445 323 72.6 42 111 39.5 170

2008 5 863 69.5 379 265 69.9 99 53 31.9 113

2009 101 666 79.4 173 94 54.3 82 2 16.7 10

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1993 — 22 42.3 30 14 46.7 — 9 64.3 5

1994 — 541 43.2 712 399 56.0 — 177 44.4 222

1995 — 1,486 41.6 2,084 1,274 61.1 — 469 36.8 805

1996 — 5,164 50.3 5,101 3,259 63.9 — 1,050 32.2 2,209

1997 — 9,568 59.6 6,498 4,832 74.4 — 1,959 40.5 2,873

1998 — 10,030 62.8 5,932 4,453 75.1 — 1,939 43.5 2,514

1999 — 10,584 64.2 5,909 4,050 68.5 — 1,652 40.8 2,398

2000 — 11,250 63.3 6,524 4,334 66.4 — 1,716 39.6 2,618

2001 3 10,401 62.8 6,149 3,858 62.7 — 1,430 37.1 2,428

2002 10 12,947 63.5 7,443 4,771 64.1 1 1,702 35.7 3,068

2003 6 13,231 65.8 6,874 4,511 65.6 — 1,712 38.0 2,799

2004 23 13,185 64.3 7,321 5,143 70.2 1 2,033 39.5 3,109

2005 105 9,067 64.9 4,906 3,461 70.5 5 1,358 39.3 2,098

2006 149 4,851 64.8 2,639 1,879 71.2 23 752 40.5 1,104

2007 38 2,428 69.1 1,087 799 73.5 128 259 38.6 412

2008 158 2,640 70.0 1,131 792 70.0 327 173 37.2 292

2009 272 1,675 76.9 504 279 55.4 245 8 23.5 26
2010 SSI Annual Report

96

a Data reflect results as of February 2010. The ultimate numbers of continuations and cessations are subject to change until all appeals are final. b Percentage of decisions at this level.

c Percentage of cessations at this level appealed to next level.

d The status and disposition of cases in the Federal courts are not reflected here. However, for cases remanded by the courts to SSA, the status and disposition at ODAR are included. The excluded experience in the Federal courts has a minimal impact on the number of continuations.

e Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

f Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.D2.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Total initial

decisions

Selected summary case information by decision status as of February 2010

Numbers of cases Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending

Reviews of concurrent title II/XVI cases initiated under title II

1993 1,143 1,114 — 29 97.5 — 2.5

1994 10,945 9,845 — 1,100 89.9 — 10.1

1995 16,736 14,111 — 2,625 84.3 — 15.7

1996 26,884 22,938 — 3,946 85.3 — 14.7

1997 51,466 46,011 — 5,455 89.4 — 10.6

1998 81,185 75,194 — 5,991 92.6 — 7.4

1999 80,816 75,006 — 5,810 92.8 — 7.2

2000 105,787 99,048 — 6,739 93.6 — 6.4

2001 110,341 104,339 3 5,999 94.6 f 5.4

2002 103,947 97,450 9 6,488 93.7 f 6.2

2003 72,175 67,076 3 5,096 92.9 f 7.1

2004 84,622 79,415 22 5,185 93.8 f 6.1

2005 80,597 75,129 80 5,388 93.2 0.1 6.7

2006 71,825 67,330 126 4,369 93.7 .2 6.1

2007 26,469 24,505 116 1,848 92.6 .4 7.0

2008 40,045 37,788 381 1,876 94.4 1.0 4.7

2009 41,609 39,253 334 2,022 94.3 .8 4.9

Title XVI initiated reviews

1993 — — — — — — —

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 4,287 3,605 — 682 84.1 — 15.9

1996 55,025 50,185 — 4,840 91.2 — 8.8

1997 69,557 63,919 — 5,638 91.9 — 8.1

1998 75,071 70,137 — 4,934 93.4 — 6.6

1999 140,429 132,662 — 7,767 94.5 — 5.5

2000 173,470 163,945 — 9,525 94.5 — 5.5

2001 143,902 133,768 — 10,134 93.0 — 7.0

2002 172,527 160,105 2 12,420 92.8 f 7.2

2003 213,212 201,949 3 11,260 94.7 f 5.3

2004 221,129 210,788 2 10,339 95.3 f 4.7

2005 110,072 103,313 30 6,729 93.9 f 6.1

2006 40,605 38,019 46 2,540 93.6 .1 6.3

2007 18,172 17,081 50 1,041 94.0 .3 5.7

2008 18,933 17,965 104 864 94.9 .5 4.6

2009 29,137 27,901 183 1,053 95.8 .6 3.6

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1993 1,143 1,114 — 29 97.5 — 2.5

1994 10,945 9,845 — 1,100 89.9 — 10.1

1995 21,023 17,716 — 3,307 84.3 — 15.7

1996 81,909 73,123 — 8,786 89.3 — 10.7

1997 121,023 109,930 — 11,093 90.8 — 9.2

1998 156,256 145,331 — 10,925 93.0 — 7.0

1999 221,245 207,668 — 13,577 93.9 — 6.1

2000 279,257 262,993 — 16,264 94.2 — 5.8

2001 254,243 238,107 3 16,133 93.7 f 6.3

2002 276,474 257,555 11 18,908 93.2 f 6.8

2003 285,387 269,025 6 16,356 94.3 f 5.7

2004 305,751 290,203 24 15,524 94.9 f 5.1

2005 190,669 178,442 110 12,117 93.6 .1 6.4

2006 112,430 105,349 172 6,909 93.7 .2 6.1

2007 44,641 41,586 166 2,889 93.2 .4 6.5

2008 58,978 55,753 485 2,740 94.5 .8 4.6

2009 70,746 67,154 517 3,075 94.9 .7 4.3
97

2010 SSI Annual Report

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Initial decisions

Total initial

DDS decisions

Continuations Cessations Appeals to reconsideration

Number Percent b Number Percent b Number Percent c

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1994 1,225 771 62.9 454 37.1 159 35.0

1995 4,231 2,083 49.2 2,148 50.8 665 31.0

1996 5,709 2,491 43.6 3,218 56.4 904 28.1

1997 7,091 4,482 63.2 2,609 36.8 821 31.5

1998 17,620 6,092 34.6 11,528 65.4 3,640 31.6

1999 9,773 4,114 42.1 5,659 57.9 1,639 29.0

2000 10,178 4,566 44.9 5,612 55.1 1,561 27.8

2001 9,086 4,152 45.7 4,934 54.3 1,403 28.4

2002 12,732 5,869 46.1 6,863 53.9 1,953 28.5

2003 7,283 3,516 48.3 3,767 51.7 1,026 27.2

2004 12,060 6,075 50.4 5,985 49.6 1,782 29.8

2005 13,710 6,540 47.7 7,170 52.3 1,997 27.9

2006 8,303 4,030 48.5 4,273 51.5 1,231 28.8

2007 3,175 1,368 43.1 1,807 56.9 511 28.3

2008 5,272 2,231 42.3 3,041 57.7 942 31.0

2009 12,511 5,741 45.9 6,770 54.1 1,977 29.2

Redeterminations at age 18

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 71 64 90.1 7 9.9 5 71.4

1996 12,640 8,158 64.5 4,482 35.5 2,055 45.9

1997 48,834 22,431 45.9 26,403 54.1 16,741 63.4

1998 40,945 21,453 52.4 19,492 47.6 10,915 56.0

1999 49,557 27,413 55.3 22,144 44.7 10,879 49.1

2000 51,713 28,863 55.8 22,850 44.2 11,021 48.2

2001 48,944 28,167 57.5 20,777 42.5 10,049 48.4

2002 54,947 32,388 58.9 22,559 41.1 11,549 51.2

2003 53,905 31,862 59.1 22,043 40.9 11,741 53.3

2004 53,232 31,890 59.9 21,342 40.1 11,585 54.3

2005 55,331 31,434 56.8 23,897 43.2 12,413 51.9

2006 40,640 21,796 53.6 18,844 46.4 9,367 49.7

2007 71,359 36,339 50.9 35,020 49.1 17,975 51.3

2008 69,430 34,547 49.8 34,883 50.2 18,327 52.5

2009 100,986 51,712 51.2 49,274 48.8 25,335 51.4

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 3,535 2,501 70.7 1,034 29.3 541 52.3

1996 789 399 50.6 390 49.4 210 53.8

1997 14 8 57.1 6 42.9 3 50.0

1998 91,157 67,203 73.7 23,954 26.3 13,267 55.4

1999 183,211 129,420 70.6 53,791 29.4 28,410 52.8

2000 140,699 106,583 75.8 34,116 24.2 17,014 49.9

2001 95,835 72,896 76.1 22,939 23.9 11,808 51.5

2002 163,768 130,434 79.6 33,334 20.4 17,888 53.7

2003 127,444 100,522 78.9 26,922 21.1 14,876 55.3

2004 103,437 80,748 78.1 22,689 21.9 12,851 56.6

2005 61,387 45,597 74.3 15,790 25.7 8,402 53.2

2006 19,384 14,428 74.4 4,956 25.6 2,576 52.0

2007 4,440 3,161 71.2 1,279 28.8 657 51.4

2008 4,707 3,473 73.8 1,234 26.2 648 52.5

2009 10,637 8,355 78.5 2,282 21.5 1,024 44.9

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1994 1,225 771 62.9 454 37.1 159 35.0

1995 7,837 4,648 59.3 3,189 40.7 1,211 38.0

1996 19,138 11,048 57.7 8,090 42.3 3,169 39.2

1997 55,939 26,921 48.1 29,018 51.9 17,565 60.5

1998 149,722 94,748 63.3 54,974 36.7 27,822 50.6

1999 242,541 160,947 66.4 81,594 33.6 40,928 50.2

2000 202,590 140,012 69.1 62,578 30.9 29,596 47.3

2001 153,865 105,215 68.4 48,650 31.6 23,260 47.8

2002 231,447 168,691 72.9 62,756 27.1 31,390 50.0

2003 188,632 135,900 72.0 52,732 28.0 27,643 52.4

2004 168,729 118,713 70.4 50,016 29.6 26,218 52.4

2005 130,428 83,571 64.1 46,857 35.9 22,812 48.7

2006 68,327 40,254 58.9 28,073 41.1 13,174 46.9

2007 78,974 40,868 51.7 38,106 48.3 19,143 50.2

2008 79,409 40,251 50.7 39,158 49.3 19,917 50.9

2009 124,134 65,808 53.0 58,326 47.0 28,336 48.6
2010 SSI Annual Report

98

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Fiscal year of 

initial DDS 

decision

Reconsiderations Appeals beyond reconsideration d

Pending

Continuations

Cessations

Appeals to beyond

reconsideration

Pending

Continuations

Number Percent Cessations b Number e Percent c Number Percent

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1994 — 44 27.7 115 51 44.3 — 15 29.4 36

1995 — 184 27.7 481 219 45.5 — 53 24.2 166

1996 — 329 36.4 575 232 40.3 — 44 19.0 188

1997 — 292 35.6 529 235 44.4 — 50 21.3 185

1998 — 1,231 33.8 2,409 1,142 47.4 — 244 21.4 898

1999 — 607 37.0 1,032 488 47.3 — 83 17.0 405

2000 — 609 39.0 952 452 47.5 — 99 21.9 353

2001 — 504 35.9 899 405 45.1 — 61 15.1 344

2002 — 698 35.7 1,255 549 43.7 — 112 20.4 437

2003 — 364 35.5 662 301 45.5 — 60 19.9 241

2004 — 643 36.1 1,139 554 48.6 — 83 15.0 471

2005 11 703 35.4 1,283 616 48.0 — 101 16.4 515

2006 30 421 35.1 780 387 49.6 4 71 18.5 312

2007 15 173 34.9 323 171 52.9 29 25 17.6 117

2008 67 263 30.1 612 306 50.0 139 26 15.6 141

2009 960 369 36.3 648 251 38.7 230 3 14.3 18

Redeterminations at age 18

1994 — — — — — — — — — —

1995 — 2 40.0 3 2 66.7 — 1 50.0 1

1996 — 707 34.4 1,348 584 43.3 — 119 20.4 465

1997 — 4,591 27.4 12,150 6,429 52.9 — 1,517 23.6 4,912

1998 — 3,070 28.1 7,845 4,388 55.9 — 1,026 23.4 3,362

1999 — 3,356 30.8 7,523 4,304 57.2 — 1,059 24.6 3,245

2000 — 3,575 32.4 7,446 4,034 54.2 — 1,017 25.2 3,017

2001 — 3,256 32.4 6,793 3,723 54.8 — 969 26.0 2,754

2002 1 3,819 33.1 7,729 4,124 53.4 — 1,099 26.6 3,025

2003 2 3,818 32.5 7,921 4,292 54.2 — 1,141 26.6 3,151

2004 — 3,531 30.5 8,054 4,645 57.7 3 1,271 27.4 3,371

2005 93 3,770 30.6 8,550 5,039 58.9 24 1,374 27.4 3,641

2006 207 2,592 28.3 6,568 3,934 59.9 84 1,071 27.8 2,779

2007 987 4,810 28.3 12,178 7,298 59.9 1,046 1,669 26.7 4,583

2008 2,058 5,089 31.3 11,180 6,604 59.1 2,770 875 22.8 2,959

2009 11,292 4,681 33.3 9,362 4,242 45.3 3,665 132 22.9 445

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1994 — — — — — — — — — —

1995 — 177 32.7 364 202 55.5 — 52 25.7 150

1996 — 69 32.9 141 55 39.0 — 17 30.9 38

1997 — 1 33.3 2 1 50.0 — — — 1

1998 — 4,456 33.6 8,811 5,511 62.5 — 1,305 23.7 4,206

1999 — 9,324 32.8 19,086 11,711 61.4 — 2,615 22.3 9,096

2000 — 6,434 37.8 10,580 6,237 59.0 — 1,427 22.9 4,810

2001 — 4,619 39.1 7,189 4,257 59.2 — 955 22.4 3,302

2002 1 7,238 40.5 10,649 6,154 57.8 — 1,370 22.3 4,784

2003 — 6,248 42.0 8,628 4,997 57.9 1 1,144 22.9 3,852

2004 1 4,871 37.9 7,979 4,941 61.9 2 1,168 23.6 3,771

2005 57 3,121 37.4 5,224 3,273 62.7 16 741 22.8 2,516

2006 44 943 37.2 1,589 1,030 64.8 21 232 23.0 777

2007 13 269 41.8 375 236 62.9 32 55 27.0 149

2008 16 251 39.7 381 211 55.4 108 26 25.2 77

2009 504 282 54.2 238 111 46.6 102 2 22.2 7

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1994 — 44 27.7 115 51 44.3 — 15 29.4 36

1995 — 363 30.0 848 423 49.9 — 106 25.1 317

1996 — 1,105 34.9 2,064 871 42.2 — 180 20.7 691

1997 — 4,884 27.8 12,681 6,665 52.6 — 1,567 23.5 5,098

1998 — 8,757 31.5 19,065 11,041 57.9 — 2,575 23.3 8,466

1999 — 13,287 32.5 27,641 16,503 59.7 — 3,757 22.8 12,746

2000 — 10,618 35.9 18,978 10,723 56.5 — 2,543 23.7 8,180

2001 — 8,379 36.0 14,881 8,385 56.3 — 1,985 23.7 6,400

2002 2 11,755 37.5 19,633 10,827 55.1 — 2,581 23.8 8,246

2003 2 10,430 37.7 17,211 9,590 55.7 1 2,345 24.5 7,244

2004 1 9,045 34.5 17,172 10,140 59.0 5 2,522 24.9 7,613

2005 161 7,594 33.5 15,057 8,928 59.3 40 2,216 24.9 6,672

2006 281 3,956 30.7 8,937 5,351 59.9 109 1,374 26.2 3,868

2007 1,015 5,252 29.0 12,876 7,705 59.8 1,107 1,749 26.5 4,849

2008 2,141 5,603 31.5 12,173 7,121 58.5 3,017 927 22.6 3,177

2009 12,756 5,332 34.2 10,248 4,604 44.9 3,997 137 22.6 470
99

2010 SSI Annual Report

a Data reflect results as of February 2010. The ultimate numbers of continuations and cessations are subject to change until all appeals are final. b Percentage of decisions at this level.

c Percentage of cessations at this level appealed to next level.

d The status and disposition of cases in the Federal courts are not reflected here. However, for cases remanded by the courts to SSA, the status and disposition at ODAR are included. The excluded experience in the Federal courts has a minimal impact on the number of continuations.

e Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

f Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Fiscal Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Total initial

decisions

Selected summary case information by decision status as of February 2010

Numbers of cases Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1994 1,225 830 — 395 67.8 — 32.2

1995 4,231 2,320 — 1,911 54.8 — 45.2

1996 5,709 2,864 — 2,845 50.2 — 49.8

1997 7,091 4,824 — 2,267 68.0 — 32.0

1998 17,620 7,567 — 10,053 42.9 — 57.1

1999 9,773 4,804 — 4,969 49.2 — 50.8

2000 10,178 5,274 — 4,904 51.8 — 48.2

2001 9,086 4,717 — 4,369 51.9 — 48.1

2002 12,732 6,679 — 6,053 52.5 — 47.5

2003 7,283 3,940 — 3,343 54.1 — 45.9

2004 12,060 6,801 — 5,259 56.4 — 43.6

2005 13,710 7,344 11 6,355 53.6 .1 46.4

2006 8,303 4,522 34 3,747 54.5 .4 45.1

2007 3,175 1,566 44 1,565 49.3 1.4 49.3

2008 5,272 2,520 206 2,546 47.8 3.9 48.3

2009 12,511 6,113 1,190 5,208 48.9 9.5 41.6

Redeterminations at age 18

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 71 67 — 4 94.4 — 5.6

1996 12,640 8,984 — 3,656 71.1 — 28.9

1997 48,834 28,539 — 20,295 58.4 — 41.6

1998 40,945 25,549 — 15,396 62.4 — 37.6

1999 49,557 31,828 — 17,729 64.2 — 35.8

2000 51,713 33,455 — 18,258 64.7 — 35.3

2001 48,944 32,392 — 16,552 66.2 — 33.8

2002 54,947 37,306 1 17,640 67.9 f 32.1

2003 53,905 36,821 2 17,082 68.3 f 31.7

2004 53,232 36,692 3 16,537 68.9 f 31.1

2005 55,331 36,578 117 18,636 66.1 .2 33.7

2006 40,640 25,459 291 14,890 62.6 .7 36.6

2007 71,359 42,818 2,033 26,508 60.0 2.8 37.1

2008 69,430 40,511 4,828 24,091 58.3 7.0 34.7

2009 100,986 56,525 14,957 29,504 56.0 14.8 29.2

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1994 — — — — — — —

1995 3,535 2,730 — 805 77.2 — 22.8

1996 789 485 — 304 61.5 — 38.5

1997 14 9 — 5 64.3 — 35.7

1998 91,157 72,964 — 18,193 80.0 — 20.0

1999 183,211 141,359 — 41,852 77.2 — 22.8

2000 140,699 114,444 — 26,255 81.3 — 18.7

2001 95,835 78,470 — 17,365 81.9 — 18.1

2002 163,768 139,042 1 24,725 84.9 f 15.1

2003 127,444 107,914 1 19,529 84.7 f 15.3

2004 103,437 86,787 3 16,647 83.9 f 16.1

2005 61,387 49,459 73 11,855 80.6 .1 19.3

2006 19,384 15,603 65 3,716 80.5 .3 19.2

2007 4,440 3,485 45 910 78.5 1.0 20.5

2008 4,707 3,750 124 833 79.7 2.6 17.7

2009 10,637 8,639 606 1,392 81.2 5.7 13.1

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1994 1,225 830 — 395 67.8 — 32.2

1995 7,837 5,117 — 2,720 65.3 — 34.7

1996 19,138 12,333 — 6,805 64.4 — 35.6

1997 55,939 33,372 — 22,567 59.7 — 40.3

1998 149,722 106,080 — 43,642 70.9 — 29.1

1999 242,541 177,991 — 64,550 73.4 — 26.6

2000 202,590 153,173 — 49,417 75.6 — 24.4

2001 153,865 115,579 — 38,286 75.1 — 24.9

2002 231,447 183,027 2 48,418 79.1 f 20.9

2003 188,632 148,675 3 39,954 78.8 f 21.2

2004 168,729 130,280 6 38,443 77.2 f 22.8

2005 130,428 93,381 201 36,846 71.6 .2 28.3

2006 68,327 45,584 390 22,353 66.7 .6 32.7

2007 78,974 47,869 2,122 28,983 60.6 2.7 36.7

2008 79,409 46,781 5,158 27,470 58.9 6.5 34.6

2009 124,134 71,277 16,753 36,104 57.4 13.5 29.1
2010 SSI Annual Report

100

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION

1. Work Incentives

Since the beginning of the SSI program, a number of disabled or blind recipients have worked and

received SSI payments. Initially, the program contained a basic earned income exclusion that recognized

the additional costs associated with employment. In addition, the law contained a number of special

income exclusions which were intended as work incentives. Among these provisions were the income

exclusion for blind work expenses (BWE), plan to achieve self-support (PASS), and student earned

income exclusion (SEIE).

In the 1980 amendments to the Social Security Act, Congress provided additional incentives to help SSI

disabled recipients become self-supporting. These incentives included:

 • Providing for an earned income exclusion for impairment-related work expenses (IRWE);

 • Changing the treatment of sheltered workshop earnings from unearned income to earned income,

thereby qualifying sheltered workshop earnings for the earned income exclusion;

 • Providing for the continuation of SSI payments for certain disabled individuals enrolled in vocational

rehabilitation programs whose disability ceased due to medical recovery (extended to SSI blind recipients, effective April, 1988);

 • Establishing section 1619 which provided:

 — In subsection 1619(a), special SSI cash benefits to disabled individuals who lose eligibility for

SSI payments because they have earnings exceeding the level that is ordinarily considered to

represent substantial gainful activity (SGA), and

 — In subsection 1619(b), special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes to working disabled or

blind individuals when their earnings make them ineligible for cash payments.

The incentives for work and opportunities for rehabilitation are discussed in more detail in section III.E. In

the tables that follow we provide historical information on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive programs.1

a. Numbers of Participants in Work Incentive Programs

In this section, we present historical data on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive programs.

Table V.E1 presents historical numbers of SSI recipients categorized according to their section 1619 status. Figure V.E1 presents this information in graphical form.

1 More detailed information on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive programs is provided in the SSI Annual Statistical Report. Pub. No. 13-

11827, prepared by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Social Security Administration.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

a Increases in 2001 and subsequent years are based on increases in the national average wage index.

b Workers’ earnings are above SGA level.

c Workers’ earnings are at or below SGA level.

d 1619(b) recipients are not in current-payment status but retain SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes.

e Increased to $700 in July 1999.

Table V.E2 presents historical numbers of SSI recipients who benefit from other selected work incentive

provisions: (1) plan to achieve self-support (PASS); (2) impairment-related work expense exclusion 

Table V.E1.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients as of December, 1987-2009

Year

SGA

level a

In current-payment status 1619(b)

workers d Total1619(a) workers workers b Other workers c

1987 ..................................... $300 14,559 142,664 15,632 172,855

1988 ..................................... 300 19,920 153,599 15,625 189,144

1989 ..................................... 300 25,655 161,928 18,254 205,837

1990 ..................................... 500 13,994 182,421 23,517 219,932

1991 ..................................... 500 15,531 186,824 27,264 229,619

1992 ..................................... 500 17,603 199,665 31,649 248,917

1993 ..................................... 500 20,028 210,322 35,299 265,649

1994 ..................................... 500 24,315 217,478 40,683 282,476

1995 ..................................... 500 28,060 223,573 47,002 298,635

1996 ..................................... 500 31,085 225,310 51,905 308,300

1997 ..................................... 500 34,673 228,093 57,089 319,855

1998 ..................................... 500 37,271 229,662 59,542 326,475

1999 ..................................... e 700 25,528 245,825 69,265 340,618

2000 ..................................... 700 27,542 249,313 83,572 360,427

2001 ..................................... 740 22,100 247,555 76,455 346,110

2002 ..................................... 780 17,271 241,462 82,177 340,910

2003 ..................................... 800 17,132 235,453 71,097 323,682

2004 ..................................... 810 17,114 237,409 73,681 328,204

2005 ..................................... 830 17,621 240,744 78,205 336,570

2006 ..................................... 860 17,394 242,676 89,350 349,420

2007 ..................................... 900 16,939 242,854 97,551 357,344

2008 ..................................... 940 16,142 240,138 99,482 355,762

2009 ..................................... 980 11,900 236,741 91,534 340,175

 Figure V.E1.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients 

as of December, 1987-2009

[In thousands]
2010 SSI Annual Report

102

(IRWE); and (3) blind work expense exclusion (BWE). These recipients may be benefiting from more

than one of these selected work incentive provisions. This information is available only for calendar years

1990 and later.

Note: Working recipients participating in these other work incentives may be 1619(a) recipients, 1619(b) recipients or working

recipients whose earnings are at or below the SGA level.

b. Average Earnings of Participants in Work Incentive Programs

In this section, we present historical data on average earnings of SSI working recipients. Table V.E3 presents average earnings of SSI recipients categorized according to their section 1619 status.

a In January, 1990, the SGA level was raised from $300 to $500 and section 1619(a) participants with earnings at or below $500

became eligible for regular SSI benefits rather than the special cash payments under section 1619(a). The SGA level was further

increased to $700 in July 1999, with increases in 2001 and subsequent years based on increases in the national average wage index. In January 2010 the SGA level was increased to $1,000.

b Workers’ earnings are at or below the SGA level. c 1619(b) recipients are not in current-payment status but retain SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes. d Estimated.

Table V.E2.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Individuals with SSI Recipient Status Participating 

in Other Work Incentives as of December, 1990-2009

Year

PASS a

a For years 1990 through 1996, data do not include PASS plans which exclude only resources.

Non-workers Workers Total IRWE BWE

1990 ..................................... 1,215 1,040 2,255 5,384 4,385

1991 ..................................... 1,969 1,601 3,570 6,546 4,330

1992 ..................................... 3,189 2,658 5,847 7,813 4,454

1993 ..................................... 4,528 3,602 8,130 8,629 4,406

1994 ..................................... 5,842 4,487 10,329 9,484 4,380

1995 ..................................... 5,719 4,603 10,322 9,940 4,433

1996 ..................................... 2,760 1,944 4,704 9,799 4,230

1997 ..................................... 1,290 708 1,998 9,637 4,116

1998 ..................................... 712 362 1,074 9,301 3,802

1999 ..................................... 698 347 1,045 9,520 3,971

2000 ..................................... 862 520 1,382 9,422 3,895

2001 ..................................... 1,024 576 1,600 8,798 3,642

2002 ..................................... 1,150 571 1,721 8,047 3,386

2003 ..................................... 1,181 524 1,705 7,604 3,074

2004 ..................................... 1,112 486 1,598 6,874 2,827

2005 ..................................... 1,089 493 1,582 6,310 2,552

2006 ..................................... 1,098 485 1,583 5,650 2,370

2007 ..................................... 1,003 512 1,515 5,161 2,142

2008 ..................................... 1,074 485 1,559 4,572 1,925

2009 ..................................... 1,037 420 1,457 3,862 1,643

Table V.E3.—Average Monthly Earnings of SSI Federally-Administered Blind or

Disabled Working Recipients, as of December, 1987-2009 

Year

Blind or disabled workers with SSI recipient status

In current-payment status 1619(b)

workers c Total

1619(a) workers workers a Other workers b

1987..................................... $494 d $124 $739 d $211

1988..................................... 522 d 127 721 d 218

1989..................................... 518 d 131 712 d 231

1990..................................... 712 145 746 245

1991..................................... 724 148 780 262

1992..................................... 726 150 781 271

1993..................................... 728 153 784 280

1994..................................... 746 157 803 301

1995..................................... 754 160 834 322

1996..................................... 764 162 881 344

1997..................................... 772 164 932 367

1998..................................... 772 182 954 390

1999..................................... 926 207 980 418

2000..................................... 945 239 1,048 481

2001..................................... 1,004 252 1,043 475

2002..................................... 1,043 253 1,094 495

2003..................................... 1,059 241 1,081 469

2004..................................... 1,076 246 1,070 474

2005..................................... 1,111 255 1,118 500

2006..................................... 1,166 258 1,193 542

2007..................................... 1,193 262 1,267 581

2008..................................... 1,235 259 1,340 605

2009..................................... 1,262 252 1,327 577
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2010 SSI Annual Report

2. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program 

Provisions designed to make vocational rehabilitation (VR) services available to SSI blind or disabled

recipients have been part of the SSI program since its inception. From the beginning, SSI recipients were

referred to State VR agencies, which provided services to those recipients who were accepted as clients.

Prior to 1981, SSA made block grants to VR agencies to fund services to disabled beneficiaries. The 1981

amendments changed this and established a “cost” reimbursement provision. VR agencies would be

reimbursed for the cost of VR services furnished to blind or disabled SSI recipients only if the services

resulted in the recipient returning to work. For reimbursement purposes, recipients are considered to have

returned to work if they have had earnings exceeding the SGA level for 9 continuous months. 

The 1984 amendments authorized reimbursement for cases1 where the recipient medically recovers while

engaged in a program of rehabilitation services approved by SSA and SSA determines that continuation or

completion of such a program would increase the likelihood the individual will be permanently removed

from the rolls. Effective with the 1990 amendments, reimbursement for the cost of VR services was authorized for services provided in months in which the individual was not receiving Federal SSI benefits if the

individual: 

 • Had special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes under section 1619(b) of the Social Security

Act; 

 • Received a Federally-administered State supplementary payment; or 

 • Had SSI benefits suspended for fewer than 13 consecutive months for a reason other than cessation of

disability or blindness. 

In 1994, the regulations were amended to include reimbursement to alternate private and non-State public

VR providers (referred to as “alternate participants”) that provided VR services to recipients that a State

VR agency had not accepted as clients. The alternate provider program has subsequently been replaced by

the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program (Ticket to Work program) established by the Ticket to

Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.

Under the Ticket to Work program, a disabled beneficiary may obtain vocational rehabilitation,

employment and other support services from qualified private or public providers that are referred to as

“Employment Networks” (ENs). The Ticket to Work program authorized the Commissioner to provide

payments to ENs under either an outcome payment system or an outcome-milestone payment system.

(State VR agencies were provided the option to elect on a case-by-case basis to be paid either under the

traditional VR reimbursement system, or either the outcome or outcome-milestone payment system.) By

expanding the pool of providers and giving the providers incentives for achieving success, this program

expands access to these services for persons with disabilities to assist them in finding, entering, and

retaining employment as well as reducing their dependence on cash benefits. 

1 The 1980 amendments provided for benefit continuation for such SSI recipients who were continuing in a VR program after their disability had ceased.

The provision was extended to blind recipients effective April, 1988.
2010 SSI Annual Report

104

The Ticket to Work program was implemented on a State-by-State basis beginning in February 2002 and

has been fully implemented nationwide since September 2004. As the Ticket to Work program was implemented in a State, the alternate provider and the traditional VR referral process described earlier were

eliminated. SSA provided eligible individuals who received SSI benefits due to blindness or disability in

such State with a Ticket to Work document (“ticket”). Beneficiaries who receive a ticket may use it to

obtain from ENs or their State VR agencies vocational rehabilitation services, employment services and

other support services needed to return to work or go to work for the first time. Individuals not eligible for

a ticket may still request services from a State VR agency; the VR agency continues to decide whether

each beneficiary is eligible for services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

The Ticket legislation required that SSA establish a corps of work incentives specialists to disseminate

accurate information about work incentives. In addition, the Social Security Protection Act of 2004

mandated that SSA provide a work report receipt to the beneficiary. In response to these mandates, SSA:

 • In fiscal year 2003, established the Area Work Incentives Coordinator (AWIC) position and trained a

total of 58 AWICs, with at least one AWIC being assigned to each Area Office. The AWIC position

was created to improve the quality of employment support services provided to beneficiaries through

training, outreach, and better coordination of support services. As of fiscal year 2010, there are 69

AWICs on duty.

 • In fiscal year 2004, released a web-based design application known as eWork that provides SSA with

a uniform electronic system to process and control title II return to work cases. Since eWork does not

communicate with any title XVI systems, SSA developed a web-based application, the SSI Monthly

Wage Verification (SSIMWV), to process and control SSI work reports. The SSIMWV allows SSA

employees to issue the mandated work report receipt in addition to processing the wage report. The

SSIMWV was released nationally in November 2006. 

 • In fiscal year 2006, SSA awarded cooperative agreements in all States, the District of Columbia, and

Territories under the new Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, which replaced

and enhanced the former Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) program. The WIPA

program continues to provide accurate information about work incentive programs and other employment support services, as well as planning and assistance services, to beneficiaries with disabilities to

support and facilitate their transition into the workforce.

In fiscal year 2003, AWIC employees provided refresher training on employment supports to the local

Work Incentive Liaisons (WIL) located in each of the 1,335 local field offices. The systems application

phase of this training was updated beginning in fiscal year 2004 with the release of eWork. Training has

been provided to all direct service employees in field offices, teleservice centers and the payment processing centers. This training initiative was completed in November 2004.

AWICs have also been very active in participating in outreach activities in their local areas and continue to

be the primary point of contact for public information outreach in the communities. They have strengthened the relationship with our Ticket to Work partners: the ENs; WIPAs; Protection and Advocacy (P&A)

agencies and Disability Program Navigators. AWICs also work closely with the regional plan to achieve
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2010 SSI Annual Report

self-support (PASS) cadres in SSA to make joint educational presentations to the community about our

employment support programs. The partnership has strengthened support of one of the objectives of the

Ticket to Work program which is to educate the public about the benefits of returning to work and becoming self-sufficient. Presentations that have been made directly to persons with disabilities and/or entities

that provide services to this target group include presentations at:

 • Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE)

 • Disability Employment Fairs

 • Disability Forums and Expos

 • Technical Colleges

 • Universities

 • Disability Resource Centers

 • One-Stop Career Centers

 • Small Business Administration Groups

 • Workforce Investment Fairs

 • Independent Living Councils’ Conferences

 • United Way Agencies

 • State Advocacy Groups

In 2008, SSA revised the Ticket to Work regulations to enhance beneficiary choice and improve the effectiveness of the program. The revisions extended the program to all adult SSDI and SSI blind or disabled

beneficiaries, removed disincentives for Employment Networks to participate in the program, provided

incentives for them to support beneficiaries through a more gradual return to work and positioned them to

better support ongoing retention of employment. Since the new regulations were published, SSA has noted

promising trends:

 • We have seen a 39 percent increase in beneficiaries initiating return to work programs, from 203,664

on May 1, 2008 to 284,028 on July 1, 2010; and

 • In 2009, the number of beneficiaries receiving services under the Ticket to Work Program who

worked increased 9 percent (from 96,993 to 105,843) over calendar year 2008.

See section V.G.1.d for information on the evaluation of the Ticket to Work program.

Table V.E4 provides historical data on the number of VR agency reimbursement claims allowed and the

amount of such awards for SSI recipients.
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a For concurrent title II/XVI claims, amounts shown represent title XVI portion of claim.

b For fiscal years 1987-89, data on title II reimbursement claims involving concurrent title XVI reimbursement claims are not available.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table V.E5 provides historical data on the number of Employment Network payments allowed and the

amount of such payments for SSI recipients.

Table V.E4.—Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement Claims Allowed, Fiscal Years 1987-2009

Fiscal year

Concurrent title II/XVI claims Title XVI only claims Total claims

Number

Amount a

(in thousands) Number

Amount

(in thousands) Number

Amount a

(in thousands)

1987 .............. b b 1,493 $10,010 b b

1988 .............. b b 1,720 14,831 b b

1989 .............. b b 1,871 18,366 b b

1990 .............. 1,267 $3,290 2,819 22,832 4,086 $26,122

1991 .............. 1,445 4,325 2,171 20,615 3,616 24,940

1992 .............. 1,634 5,312 2,834 28,276 4,468 33,588

1993 .............. 1,928 6,670 2,158 22,264 4,086 28,934

1994 .............. 1,880 7,057 2,074 23,400 3,954 30,457

1995 .............. 2,140 7,761 2,229 26,402 4,369 34,162

1996 .............. 2,033 6,518 2,138 24,334 4,171 30,852

1997 .............. 2,735 8,541 2,914 31,532 5,649 40,073

1998 .............. 3,329 10,089 3,446 36,313 6,775 46,402

1999 .............. 3,572 11,403 4,046 42,281 7,618 53,684

2000 .............. 3,260 11,357 3,589 40,793 6,849 52,150

2001 .............. 2,388 9,590 2,763 34,842 5,151 44,432

2002 .............. 3,241 12,201 3,474 43,244 6,715 55,445

2003 .............. 2,139 8,110 1,993 25,238 4,132 33,348

2004 .............. 1,999 7,759 2,150 26,390 4,149 34,149

2005 .............. 1,883 7,420 1,692 21,866 3,575 29,286

2006 .............. 2,581 10,382 2,257 28,597 4,838 38,979

2007 .............. 2,037 8,407 1,871 26,468 3,908 34,875

2008 .............. 2,743 11,229 2,515 35,732 5,258 46,961

2009 .............. 2,567 11,046 2,373 34,801 4,940 45,847

Table V.E5.—Employment Network Payments Allowed, Fiscal Years 2002-09a

a Does not include reimbursements to State VR agencies for tickets assigned under the VR cost reimbursement option.

Fiscal year

Concurrent title II/XVI payments Title XVI only payments Total payments

Number

Amount b

(in thousands)

b For concurrent title II/XVI payments, amounts shown represent title XVI portion of the payments.

Number

Amount

(in thousands) Number

Amount b

(in thousands)

2002 .............. 7 $1 1 c

c Less than $500.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

8 $1

2003 .............. 138 19 260 $47 398 66

2004 .............. 245 35 674 127 919 162

2005 .............. 692 105 1,292 251 1,984 356

2006 .............. 975 137 1,648 317 2,623 454

2007 .............. 1,259 181 1,713 334 2,972 515

2008 .............. 1,827 274 2,524 520 4,351 794

2009 .............. 2,575 594 3,282 1,310 5,857 1,904
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F. INVOLVEMENT OF SSI RECIPIENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS

In this appendix we present statistics on participation by SSI recipients in other programs based on data

from the Supplemental Security Record (SSR), the main administrative file for the SSI program. Data

summarized from the SSR are representative of the overall SSI recipient population since the information

is generally based on a 100-percent extract; however, information on previous participation in other programs by SSI recipients is based on a 10-percent extract from the SSR. Data from the SSR are presented

below. Since the amount of an individual’s income is used to determine both the eligibility for, and the

amount of his/her SSI benefit, it is necessary for the SSR to contain information on participation by SSI

recipients in certain other programs which may provide countable income to the SSI recipient. A significant number of SSI recipients are Social Security beneficiaries whose total countable income, including

OASDI benefits, is less than the Federal benefit rate plus the amount of applicable Federally-administered

State supplementary payment. A smaller number of SSI recipients participate in other programs and

receive income such as Workers’ Compensation benefits or disability cash benefits from the Department

of Veterans Affairs.

SSA does not maintain complete information in its administrative files concerning the involvement of SSI

recipients in other assistance programs, because under the law payments from such programs are excluded

from countable income attributable to the individual. We do, however, have some data with regard to entitlement to benefits under two other programs—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (which

replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)) and State Interim Assistance Reimbursement—at the point that the individual applied for SSI benefits. TANF (and AFDC previously) is a State

program funded under Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. Interim assistance is assistance a State

gives to SSI applicants in cash or vendor payments for meeting basic needs while they are awaiting the

outcome of the SSI eligibility determination process.

Table V.F1 presents percentages of SSI recipients who (1) concurrently receive payments from certain

other selected programs or (2) have previously been enrolled in TANF/AFDC or received Interim Assistance Reimbursement.

a SSI recipients or households of SSI recipients may participate in more than one of these programs.

b Less than 0.05 percent of SSI recipients in this gender/age grouping participate in the program.

Note: Total numbers of recipients do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table V.F1.—Percentage of SSI Federally-Administered Recipients in Current-Payment Status with Participationa

in Selected Programs Based on SSA Administrative Records, December, 2009

Age groups

0-17 18-64 All

65 or

older

Number of Federally-administered recipients, 

December, 2009 (in thousands)................................................................................................................... 1,200 4,451 2,026 7,677

Program (In percent)

Program participation by SSI recipients, December, 2009

Federal SSI.............................................................................................................................................. 99.9 97.1 93.9 96.7

Federally-administered State SSI supplementation ................................................................................ 20.1 26.9 44.4 30.5

OASDI .................................................................................................................................................... 7.3 31.4 56.0 34.2

Black Lung.............................................................................................................................................. bb b b

Railroad Retirement................................................................................................................................ b b 0.1 b

Veterans Affairs disability cash benefits................................................................................................. 0.1 0.4 1.4 0.6

Workers’ Compensation.......................................................................................................................... b 0.1 b 0.1

Previous program participation by SSI recipients, December, 2009

TANF/AFDC .......................................................................................................................................... 30.5 26.7 10.1 22.9

Interim Assistance Reimbursement ........................................................................................................ 0.7 14.3 10.8 11.2
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There are other potential sources for information on SSI recipients when that information is not available

on the SSI administrative files. These sources include the following:

 • The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a U.S. Census Bureau sample survey, is

comprised of a continuous series of national panels that collect information such as the source and

amount of income, asset holdings, program participation and general demographic characteristics for

the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population.

 • The Current Population Survey (CPS), a U.S. Census Bureau sample survey conducted monthly by

the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics is the primary source of information on

the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. The CPS March Supplement (the Annual Social

and Economic Supplement), collects, in addition to the usual monthly labor force data, information on

income, noncash benefits, program participation and general demographic characteristics for the U.S.

resident noninstitutionalized population.

 • The Health and Retirement Study, a survey sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and conducted by the University of Michigan, is a biennial survey that collects information such as health status, health care utilization, income, asset holdings, program participation and general demographic

characteristics for the U. S. population over age 50.
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G. RESEARCH ON RELATED TOPICS

The legislative mandate for this report requires inclusion of information about “relevant research on the

SSI program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and others.” Section 1 of this appendix

describes major ongoing projects. Section 2 presents a bibliography of studies regarding SSI payment levels, recipients, and reform proposals that were published in the past 10 years by both public and private

entities.

1. Ongoing Research

a. SSI Policy Simulations

Using Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data matched to administrative records, SSA

researchers have developed a model of financial eligibility for SSI that has been used to estimate the rate

of participation among the eligible elderly and the effects of various options to modify the SSI program

(see Davies et al. 2001/2002). The model suggests that the rate of participation among the eligible elderly

was about 62 percent in 1991. The comparable participation rate estimate at the end of 1996 was also

62 percent. The model has recently been updated to use the 2004 SIPP matched to administrative records.

We are developing a participation rate estimate for the elderly based on the 2004 model and examining

patterns of differences from previous estimates in the literature.

The model was also utilized to simulate the potential effects of several approaches to expand the SSI program to fight poverty among the elderly. Approaches focusing on incremental changes in the Federal benefit rate, the general income exclusion, and the resources test appear roughly equally effective in reducing

the poverty gap among the elderly on a cost-equivalent basis, while two approaches focusing on relaxing

the earned income exclusion are less effective (Davies, Rupp, and Strand, 2004). More recently, the model

has been expanded to address SSI participation and financial eligibility among the working-age disabled,

and to assess SSI benefit restructuring options for the entire SSI population. The working-aged model

allows for the identification of working-aged persons by their SSI financial eligibility status, DI insured

status, and participation in both programs. The model recently has been used to assess SSI’s role in complementing and enhancing the safety net for the working-aged population (Rupp, Davies, and Strand,

2008), focusing on the role of SSI in providing cash benefits to some DI beneficiaries during the 5-month

waiting period and beyond, and increasing health insurance coverage among the disabled by providing

access to Medicaid. The model has been used to simulate the effects of several approaches to changing inkind support and maintenance rules and options for altering the calculation of the Federal benefit rate for

certain living arrangement categories (Balkus et al. 2009). Simulation results are applied to current elderly,

working-age, and child SSI populations to provide up-to-date estimates for potential program changes.

The financial eligibility model has also been utilized to study eligibility for Medicare buy-in programs

(see Rupp and Sears 2000; Sears 2001/2002). More recently the model has been extensively utilized to

estimate the size of the population potentially eligible for the Medicare Part D low income subsidy.

b. National Survey of SSI Children and Families

The National Survey of SSI Children and Families (NSCF) was designed to address a number of SSA policy and program objectives. One objective was to address issues specifically pertaining to the effects of the

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (welfare reform). However, the

survey as designed is useful for the study of a broader range of issues of current interest to policy makers.

Most importantly, it allows for the analysis of a nationally representative cross-section of SSI beneficiary

children aged 0-17 and young adults aged 18-23. Among the questions the survey answers are the following: 
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 • What are the characteristics of SSI children? 

 • What alternative sources of care are available to disabled children who lose SSI benefits?

 • How is quality of life and utilization of medical services impacted by gaining or losing SSI benefits?

 • What is the cost of caring for a child with disabilities?

 • What are the uses of SSI benefits?

 • What is the impact of the nature and severity of the child’s disabilities on parental labor force participation? 

The NSCF data collection began July 2001 and concluded June 2002. The NSCF sample size was considerably larger for SSI children and young adults than the sample size available in other surveys. Altogether,

8,535 interviews were completed for the NSCF, including 5,006 who received SSI benefits in December

2000 and 5,033 who received SSI benefits in December 1996. NSCF documentation is available on the

SSA website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/nscf.htm. Davies and Rupp (2005/2006)

provides an overview of the survey and describes some key features. Other analyses using these data are

discussed in section c below. Although it was a cross-sectional data collection effort, longitudinal data on

SSI program participation are being added to the NSCF through continuing efforts to update the match

between NSCF and SSI administrative records. 

c. Analytic Studies

SSA researchers have conducted a number of research studies designed to provide a better understanding

of the SSI program, the elderly and disabled target populations, program interactions, and the role of the

SSI program in the United States social safety net. Koenig and Rupp (2003/2004) estimates the prevalence

of households and families with multiple SSI recipients and provided an assessment of the poverty status

of multirecipient households. Rupp and Davies (2004) tracks survey respondents from the 1984 SIPP for

14 years using administrative records on SSI and DI participation and death events to assess the relationship between self-reported health status, disabilities, mortality, and participation in the SSI and DI programs. Weathers et al. (2007) uses a unique longitudinal dataset based on administrative data from the

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) linked to SSA administrative records to conduct a case

study of SSI children who applied for postsecondary education at NTID. A study using SSA administrative records from August 2005 through August 2007 to analyze SSI recipients who lived in counties and

parishes affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was recently published (Davies and Hemmeter 2010).

Hemmeter (2009) examines the occupational distribution of SSI disability recipients aged 18-61 who

work. Hemmeter and Gilby (2009) analyzes age-18 redetermination outcomes for SSI youth, including

appeals of initial cessations and subsequent reapplications for benefits after a period of ineligibility.

Several studies focus on the distributional effects of the SSI program through its interactions with other

Federal and State programs. One study is utilizing longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study

(HRS) to assess the role of SSI and related social safety net programs in providing a buffer against the

potentially adverse effects of disability shocks in the near-elderly population on financial well-being.

Rupp et al. (2007) provides an empirical analysis of the SSI Federal benefit rate for assessing benefit adequacy among elderly Social Security beneficiaries and the effectiveness of the SSI benefit eligibility

screens for targeting economically vulnerable elderly beneficiaries. Balkus et al. (2009) examines the distributional effects of replacing current policies on living arrangements and in-kind support with a simpler,

cost neutral alternative. Rupp and Strand (2007) highlights the distributional implications of Social Security reform scenarios involving a potential shift from wage indexing to price indexing or longevity indexing in the establishment of initial benefits. Strand (2010) uses matched SIPP records to examine potential

eligibility for three major means-tested programs (SSI, Medicaid, and Food Stamp) among near retirees
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2010 SSI Annual Report

aged 55 to 64 and eventual SSI participation upon reaching age 65. A related research project analyzes

interactions between SSI, DI, Medicaid and Medicare on a cohort of SSI and DI awardees utilizing

matched administrative data from SSA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Wamhoff and

Wiseman (2005/2006) examines the financial consequences of TANF-to-SSI transfers and develops new

estimates of both the prevalence of receipt of SSI benefits among families receiving cash assistance from

TANF and the proportion of new SSI awards that go to adults and children residing in families receiving

TANF-related benefits. Trenkamp and Wiseman (2007) addresses the connections between the SSI and

Food Stamp programs. Meijer, Karoly, and Michaud (2009, 2010) analyzes eligibility for the Medicare

Part D Low Income Subsidy, which is based on a simplified SSI methodology.

In 2003 and again in 2005 SSA provided funding for interviewing supplemental samples of SSI and DI

beneficiaries to increase the SIPP sample size available for analyses of these target groups. DeCesaro and

Hemmeter (2008) examines the characteristics of DI and SSI program participants using the 2003 supplemental sample combined with the 2001 SIPP, both matched to administrative records. Using data from the

Current Population Survey matched to SSA administrative records, Nicholas and Wiseman (2009)

assesses the impact of using administrative records on poverty estimation among elderly SSI recipients

using the official and alternative definitions of poverty. Wiseman and Ycas (2008) compares the Canadian

social assistance program for the elderly with the SSI program, looking at program structure, cost and consequences for elderly poverty rates.

A number of studies are utilizing the NSCF to focus on children and young adults receiving SSI. Rupp et

al. (2005/2006) presents highlights from the survey characterizing SSI children with disabilities and their

families. Additional research studies employment and caregiving patterns of parents of SSI children (Rupp

and Ressler 2009), examines employment and program outcomes among young adults after their eligibility redetermination at age 18 (Hemmeter, Kauff, and Wittenburg 2009), and analyzes factors affecting outof-pocket medical expenses and unmet health care needs of disabled children (DeCesaro and Hemmeter

2009). These papers were published in a special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (volume

30, number 3) devoted to SSI children and young adults and the transition to adulthood. The special issue

also includes a paper that introduces the issue and examines the life-cycle human capital development and

longer-term SSI and earnings outcomes of SSI youth as they transition to adulthood (Davies, Rupp, and

Wittenburg 2009), as well as two papers that focus on SSA’s Youth Transition Demonstration (Fraker and

Rangarajan 2009; Luecking and Wittenburg 2009). The articles from the special issue are available on

SSA’s web site at http://socialsecurity.gov/policy/JVR.html. 

d. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 requires the Commissioner of Social

Security to provide for independent evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the Ticket to Work program

and to submit three separate evaluation reports to Congress. The evaluation includes a survey of beneficiaries with disabilities and participants in the Ticket to Work program that collects information on the health

and well-being of beneficiaries and on how beneficiaries use the Ticket to Work program. 

Rounds one, two, and three of the National Beneficiary Survey (NBS) have concluded with an overall

response rate of 78 percent, with responses from more than 20,000 beneficiaries with disabilities. We

delayed Round 4 of the survey because of the Ticket to Work program changes implemented in 2008. We

expect to complete Round 4 in 2010.
2010 SSI Annual Report

112

We submitted the first evaluation report to Congress in 2004 (Thornton et al. 2004)1, and also published

the first interim evaluation report early in 2006 (Thornton et al. 2006)1. We submitted the third, post-FY

2005, evaluation report to Congress in October 2007 and the post-FY 2006 report in October of 2008. 

The reports indicate low but growing participation rates with the vast majority of ticket assignments going

to State vocational rehabilitation agencies. The findings thus far indicate that the Ticket to Work program

has significant potential, but the program needs improvements in beneficiary awareness and Employment

Network (EN) incentives. Survey findings show that many more beneficiaries are interested in employment and working their way off disability benefits than is reflected in Ticket to Work participation. Most

beneficiaries remain unaware of the Ticket to Work program despite various efforts by SSA to publicize

the program. Among those who are aware, a small but significant number who have tried to use their ticket

have been unable to find an EN to accept it.

Many beneficiaries who are participating in the Ticket to Work program are reaching employment success,

and those who leave the disability rolls appear to be remaining off of benefits for sustained periods of

time. The evaluation has also found that employment success may take longer to achieve than previously

anticipated. Among the earliest participants in Ticket to Work, a small but steady stream of new exits from

disability benefits continued to occur more than 4 years after Ticket to Work participation began. Participation by ENs has been anemic, and the evaluation indicated that the initial payment rules were insufficient for ENs to cover their costs. Our initiatives to reduce EN costs had helped but were not enough to

help ENs reach financial viability. In July 2008, we implemented new regulations for the Ticket to Work

program. In the evaluation, we reviewed these new rules and found that they are likely to significantly

increase the early payments to ENs, thereby making the program more financially attractive to a broader

range of service providers. This in turn holds promise for expanding EN availability and reinvigorating the

program.

The fifth report is a series of short papers. Each paper focuses on a specific aspect of the ticket evaluation.

Eight of these papers are complete: “Process Evaluation of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

Program”; “Characteristics, Employment, and Sources of Support among Working-Age SSI and DI Beneficiaries”; “Participation in Ticket to Work Continues to Grow But Assignment Under the Traditional Payment System Still Dominate”; “Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Service User Characteristics

and Use of Work Incentives”; “2006 National Beneficiary Survey: Background and Statistical Tables”;

“SSI and DI Beneficiaries with Work-Related Goals and Expectations”; “Longitudinal Statistics for New

Social Security Disability Insurance Beneficiaries”; and “Longitudinal Experiences of an Early Cohort of

Ticket to Work Participants.” The remaining two papers, “Time that Beneficiaries Spend Off the Rolls Due

to Work and the Payments Generated for Employment Networks”; and “Can the Ticket to Work Program

Be Self-Financing?” and the overview, “Highlights of the Fifth Ticket to Work Evaluation Report” are

under review at the time of the release of this report. We will release the complete fifth report in 2010.

We modified the Ticket evaluation contracts to implement the fourth survey round in 2010 and to extend

the analysis to cover beneficiary and service provider response to the new Ticket to Work regulations. The

evaluation contractor will produce two additional reports in 2011 and 2012 under this modification.

e. Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE)

In 2004, we awarded funds to 41 service providers nationwide to provide outreach services to the homeless population. These service providers were trained and given training materials to assist homeless individuals with SSA's disability application process. In October 2007, Westat, the evaluation contractor,

1 Available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/research.htm.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

released the final evaluation report. We are currently conducting a longitudinal evaluation of HOPE. Findings from this analysis will be available later in 2010.

f. Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD)

The YTD establishes partnerships to improve employment outcomes for youth ages 14-25 who receive (or

could receive) SSI or SSDI payments on the basis of their own disability. The YTD projects include service delivery systems and a broad array of services and supports to assist youth with disabilities in their

transition from school to employment and to help them gain economic self-sufficiency.

YTD began in 2003, with seven projects in six States. In 2007, SSA piloted new projects in five States,

choosing a total of three new projects in Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia. These three projects are

joining three (Colorado and two New York) of the original seven projects in a random assignment study.

This study will produce the first evaluation of the empirical evidence of the effects of youth transition programs and modified SSI work incentives.

The modified SSI program rules that we are testing under the YTD include five elements.

 • Despite the finding of a continuing disability review or an age-18 medical redetermination that an

individual is no longer eligible for benefits, SSA will continue paying benefits for as long as the individual continues to be a YTD participant.

 • The student earned income exclusion (section 1612(b)(1) of the Act), which normally applies only to

students who are age 21 or younger, will apply to all participants who meet school attendance requirements.

 • The general earned-income exclusions (section 1612(b)(4) of the Act) permit the exclusion of $65

plus half of what an individual earns in excess of $65. For the YTD, SSA will exclude the first $65

plus three-fourths of any additional earnings.

 • SSA will extend the SSI program’s treatment of federally supported Individual Development

Accounts (IDA) to IDAs that do not involve federal funds.

 • Ordinarily, a plan to achieve self-support (PASS) must specify an employment goal that refers to getting a particular kind of job or starting a particular business. For the YTD, SSA will approve an otherwise satisfactory PASS that has either career exploration or postsecondary education as its goal.

Income and assets that an individual uses for PASS expenses do not count when SSA determines SSI

eligibility and payment amount.

The research findings will help to assess the implications of any such impacts for the Social Security trust

funds and Federal income tax revenues. 

The YTD projects in Colorado and New York have ended and will complete final reports in 2010. The

Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia projects are currently recruiting and enrolling participants and

implementing the interventions and services. A comprehensive final report of the six random assignment

projects is due in August, 2014. 

g. Disability Program Navigators (DPNs)

The Department of Labor (DOL) and SSA jointly established the Disability Program Navigator (DPN)

position. DPNs are located in DOL's One-Stop Career Centers and help disabled individuals navigate the

challenges of seeking work. The rules surrounding entitlement programs and a fear of losing cash assis-
2010 SSI Annual Report

114

tance and health benefits often discourage people with disabilities from working. DOL and SSA established the DPN initiative to better inform beneficiaries and other people with disabilities about the work

support programs available at DOL-funded One-Stop Career Centers. This initiative is developing new/

ongoing partnerships to achieve seamless, comprehensive, and integrated access to services, creating systemic change, and expanding the workforce development system's capacity to serve customers with disabilities and employers. As of October 2008, there were more than 4,425 DPNs in 43 States, the District of

Columbia, and Puerto Rico. DOL awarded the DPN project evaluation to Mathematica Policy Research.

The final DPN project evaluation is expected to be completed in 2010. See http://www.doleta.gov/disability/.

h. TANF/SSI Disability Transition Project (TSDTP)

Both welfare agencies and the federal disability system seek to support people with disabilities and help

them become more independent. However, the two systems often have differing missions and organization, definitions of disability, operational and financial issues, and work rules and incentives, making it

challenging for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income

(SSI) programs to work together. TANF clients who apply for SSI may also confront conflicting messages

from TANF agencies regarding work requirements and benefit eligibility.

To better understand the relationship between the TANF and SSI populations and programs, the Office of

Program Development and Research and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched

the TANF-SSI Disability Transition Project (TSDTP) in October 2008. Working with ACF, TANF agencies in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York, select counties in

these states, and the evaluation firm MDRC, we will analyze program data and pilot-test program interventions for TANF clients with disabilities. SSA, ACF, TANF agencies, and low-income individuals with

disabilities and their families benefit from effective and efficient services — moving toward employment

when possible, making informed decisions about applying for SSI, receiving SSI as quickly as possible,

and reducing administrative costs. The project will conclude in September 2011 with our recommendations regarding a larger demonstration project on coordinating TANF and SSI.

2. Bibliography of Recent Publications

American Academy of Pediatrics. Council on Children with Disabilities. “Supplemental Security Income

(SSI) for Children and Youth with Disabilities.” Pediatrics 124, 6 (December 2009): 1702-1709.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Children with Disabilities. “The Continued Importance

of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities.” Pediatrics 107, 4,

Part 1 of 2 (April 2001): 790-793.

Angel, Ronald J. “Living Arrangements and Supplemental Security Income Use Among Elderly Asians

and Hispanics in the United States: The Role of Nativity and Citizenship.” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 28, 3 (2002): 553-563.

Aron, Laudan Y. and Pamela Loprest. Meeting the Needs of Children with Disabilities. Washington, DC:

The Urban Institute Press, 2007.

Autor, David H. and Mark G. Duggan. The Rise in Disability Recipiency and the Decline in Unemployment. JCPR Working Paper No. 226, Joint Center for Poverty Research, June 2001.

Balkus, Richard and Susan Wilschke. “Annual Wage Trends for Supplemental Security Income Recipients.” Social Security Bulletin 65, 2 (2003/2004): 49-58.
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Balkus, Richard and Susan Wilschke. Treatment of Married Couples in the SSI Program. Issue Paper No.

2003-01. Washington, DC: Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy, Office of Policy, Social

Security Administration, December 2003.

Balkus, Richard, James Sears, Susan Wilschke, and Bernard Wixon. “Simplifying the Supplemental Security Income Program: Options for Eliminating the Counting of In-Kind Support and Maintenance.” Social

Security Bulletin 68, 4 (2009): 1-25.

Balkus, Richard, L. Scott Muller, Mark Nadel, and Michael Wiseman. “The Challenge of Growth: Public

Disability Benefits in the United States.” In Sick Societies? Trends in Disability Benefits in Post-Industrial

Welfare States, edited by Peter A. Kemp, Annika Sunden, and Bernhard Bakker Tauritz. Geneva, Switzerland: International Social Security Association, 2006.

Barrilleaux, Charles and Ethan Bernick. “Deservingness, Discretion, and the State Politics of Welfare

Spending, 1990-96.” State Politics & Policy Quarterly 3, 1 (Spring 2003): 1-23.

Battaglia, Carol. “SSI and Medicaid Recipients Have a Responsibility to Report Changes that Can Affect

Benefits.” Exceptional Parent 37, 2 (February 2007): 47-48.

Beekman, John A. and Eli N. Donkar. “The Relationship Between the Supplemental Security Income and

the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Programs During the 1990s.” North American Actuarial

Journal 5, 4 (2001): 1-23.

Beers, Nathaniel S., Alexa Kemeny, Lon Sherritt, and Judith S. Palfrey. “Variations in State-Level Definitions: Children with Special Health Care Needs.” Public Health Reports 118, 5 (September/October

2003): 434-447.

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Work Regulations Report No. 7. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, 2010.

Strand, Alexander. “Low Levels of Retirement Resources in the Near-Elderly Time Period and Future Participation in Means-Tested Programs.” Social Security Bulletin 70, 1 (2010): 1-21.

________. Social Security Disability Programs: Assessing the Variation in Allowance Rates. ORES Working Paper No. 98, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Social Security Administration, 2002.

Strand, Alexander and Kalman Rupp. “Disabled Workers and the Indexing of Social Security Benefits.”

Social Security Bulletin 67, 4 (2007): 21-50. 

Swartz, James A., Jim Baumohl, and Arthur J. Lurigio. “Termination of Supplemental Security Income

Benefits for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism: Research of a Longitudinal Study of the Effects on Former

Beneficiaries.” Social Service Review 78, 1 (March 2004): 96-124.

Swartz, James A., Kevin M. Campbell, Jim Baumohl, and Peggy Tonkin. “Drug Treatment Participation

and Retention Rates among Former Recipients of Supplemental Security Income for Drug Addiction and

Alcoholism.” Contemporary Drug Problems 30, 1-2 (Spring/Summer 2003): 335-364.
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Swartz, James A., Peggy Tonkin, and Jim Baumohl. “The Methodology of the Multi-Site Study of the Termination of Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Drug Addicts and Alcoholics.” Contemporary

Drug Problems 30, 1-2 (Spring/Summer 2003): 77-121.

Swartz, James A., Zoran Martinovich, and Paul Goldstein. “An Analysis of the Criminogenic Effects of

Terminating the Supplemental Security Income Impairment Category for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism.” Contemporary Drug Problems 30, 1-2 (Spring/Summer 2003): 391-424.

Sweeney, Eileen P. and Shawn Fremstad. Supplemental Security Income: Supporting People with Disabilities and the Elderly Poor. Washington, DC: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 2005.

Szymendera, Scott. Primer on Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service

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________. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Accounts Not Counted as Resources. Washington, DC:

Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service Report No. RS22512, February 2009.

________. Potential Effect of Marriage on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Eligibility and Benefits.

Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service Report No. RL33675, January

2008.

________. Primer on Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental

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RL32279, January 2008.

________. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Proposed

Changes to the Disability Determination and Appeals Processes. Washington, DC: Library of Congress,

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________. Social Security Administration: Suspension of Benefits for Fugitive Felons. Washington, DC:

Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service Report No. RS22355, December 2005.

Szymendera, Scott and Carol D. Davis. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Benefit Changes for California Residents, 2006 and 2007. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service

Report No. RS22365, January 2006.

Thornton, Craig, Gina Livermore, David Stapleton, John Kregel, Tim Silva, Bonnie O’Day, Thomas

Fraker, W. Grant Revell, Jr., Heather Schroeder, and Meredith Edwards. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work

Program: Initial Evaluation Report. Report prepared under contract to the Office of Disability and Income

Security Programs, Social Security Administration, February 2004.
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Thornton, Craig, Gina Livermore, Thomas Fraker, David Stapleton, Bonnie O’Day, David Wittenburg,

Robert Weathers, Nanette Goodman, Tim Silva, Emily Sama Martin, Jesse Gregory, Debra Wright, and

Arif Mamun. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work: Program Assessment of Post-Rollout Implementation and

Early Impacts. Report prepared under contract to the Office of Disability and Income Security Programs,

Social Security Administration, May 2007. 

Thornton, Craig, Thomas Fraker, Gina Livermore, David Stapleton, Bonnie O’Day, Tim Silva, Emily

Sama Martin, John Kregel, and Debra Wright. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program: Implementation

Experience During the Second Two Years of Operation (2003-2004). Report prepared under contract to the

Office of Disability and Income Security Programs, Social Security Administration, January 2006. 

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Advice Report to Congress and the Commissioner of

the Social Security Administration: The Crisis in EN Participation—Blue Print for Action. Washington,

DC: Social Security Administration, January 2004.

Trenkamp, Brad and Michael Wiseman. “The Food Stamp Program and Supplemental Security Income.”

Social Security Bulletin 67, 4 (2007): 71-87.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, No.

12 Estimates of Supplemental Security Income Eligibility for Children in Out-of-Home Placements.

Research Brief. Washington, DC: Administration for Children and Families, February 2008.

U.S. General Accounting Office. Supplemental Security Income: SSA Could Enhance Its Ability to Detect

Residency Violations. Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Ways

and Means, U.S. House of Representatives. GAO-03-724, 2003.

________. Supplemental Security Income: Progress Made in Detecting and Recovering Overpayments,

but Management Attention Should Continue. Report to the Commissioner of Social Security. GAO-02-

849, 2002.

________. Social Security Administration: Agency Must Position Itself Now to Meet Profound Challenges.

Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of

Representatives. GAO-02-289T, 2002.

________. Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Social Security Administration. GAO-01-

261, 2001.

________. SSI Disability: Other Programs May Provide Lessons for Improving Return-to-Work Efforts.

Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-01-153, 2001.

________. Social Security Reform: Potential Effects on SSA’s Disability Programs and Beneficiaries.

Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and

Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations. GAO-01-35, 2001.

U.S. Government Accountability Office. SSA Disability Representatives: Fee Payment Changes Show

Promise, but Eligibility Criteria and Representative Overpayments Require Further Monitoring. Report to

Congressional Committees. GAO-08-5, 2007. 

________. TANF and SSI: Opportunities Exist to Help People with Impairments Become More Self-Sufficient. Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S.

House of Representatives. GAO-04-878, 2004.
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U.S. Government Accountability Office. Supplemental Security Income: Sustained Management Attention

Needed to Address Residency Violations. Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources,

Committee on Ways and Means. U.S. House of Representatives. GAO-04-789T, 2004.

U.S. Social Security Administration. Trends in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs. SSA Publication No. 13-11831, Office of Policy, Office of Research, Evaluation, and

Statistics, August 2006.

________. Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin. SSA Pub. No. 13-11700, Annual

Publication of the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics.

________. SSI Annual Statistical Report. SSA Pub. No. 13-11827, Annual Publication of the Office of

Research, Evaluation, and Statistics.

________. SSI Recipients by State and County. SSA Pub. No. 13-11976, Annual Publication of the Office

of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics.

________. State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients. SSA Pub. No. 13-11975, Annual Publication of

the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics.

Wamhoff, Steve and Michael Wiseman. “The TANF/SSI Connection.” Social Security Bulletin 66, 4

(2005/2006): 21-36.

Watkins, Katherine E., Deborah Podus, and Emilia Lombardi. “The Health and Mental Health of Disabled

Substance Abusers.” Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 28, 2 (May 2001): 205-211.

Watkins, Katherine E., Deborah Podus, Emilia Lombardi, and Audrey Burnam. “Changes in Mental

Health and Service Use After Termination of SSI Benefits.” Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association 52, 9 (September 2001):1210-1215.

Weathers, Robert R. II., Gerard Walter, Sara Schley, John Hennessey, Jeffrey Hemmeter, and Richard V.

Burkhauser. “How Postsecondary Education Improves Adult Outcomes for Supplemental Security Income

Children with Severe Hearing Impairments.” Social Security Bulletin 67, 2 (2007): 101-131.

Weaver, Robert D. and Ruthanne L. Hackman. “A New Era for Legal Immigrants?: Rethinking Title IV of

the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.” Journal of Policy Practice 8, 1

(2009): 54-68.

Weiner, Barbara. “Protecting SSI Benefits for Elderly and Disabled Refugees.” Human Rights: Journal of

the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities 31, 2 (Spring 2004): 11-12.

Wentworth, Seyda G. and David Pattison. “Income Growth and Future Poverty Rates of the Aged.” Social

Security Bulletin 64, 3 (2001-2002): 23-37.

Wheeler, Peter M., John R. Kearney, and Carolyn A. Harrison. “The U.S. Study of Work Incapacity and

Reintegration.” Social Security Bulletin 64, 1 (2001/2002): 32-44.

Wilschke, Susan. How Many SSI Recipients Live with Other Recipients? Policy Brief No. 2004-03. Washington, DC: Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy, Office of Policy, Social Security Administration, June 2004.
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Wilschke, Susan. “Improving Child Support Enforcement for Children Receiving SSI.” Social Security

Bulletin 64, 1 (2001/2002): 16-26.

Wilschke, Susan and Richard Balkus. Child Support Payments and the SSI Program. Policy Brief No.

2004-02. Washington, DC: Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy, Office of Policy, Social

Security Administration, February 2004.

Wiseman, Michael and Martynas Ycas. “The Canadian Safety Net for the Elderly.” Social Security Bulletin 68, 2 (2008): 53-67.

Wittenburg, David. A Health-Conscious Safety Net? Health Problems and Program Use among LowIncome Adults with Disabilities. New Federalism: National Survey of America’s Families No. B-62.

Washington, DC: Urban Institute, September 2004. Available at www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=311065. 

Wittenburg, David and Melissa Favreault. Safety Net or Tangled Web? An Overview of Programs and Services for Adults with Disabilities. Assessing the New Federalism, Occasional Paper Number 68. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. November 2003.

Wittenburg, David and Pamela J. Loprest. “Early Transition Experiences of Transition-Age Child SSI

Recipients: New Evidence from the National Survey of Children and Families.” Journal of Disability Policy Studies 18, 3 (2007): 176-187. 

________. “Policy Options for Assisting Child SSI Recipients in Transition.” Prepared for the Ticket to

Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. October 2003. Available at

www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=410872.

Wittenberg, David and Sandi Nelson. A Guide to Disability Statistics from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. February 2006.

Wittenburg, David, David Stapleton, Adam Tucker, and Rick Harwood. “An Assessment of the Representativeness of the SSI DA&A Study Panels.” Contemporary Drug Problems 30, 1-2 (Spring/Summer

2003): 123-136.
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H. GLOSSARY

Administrative Expenses (or Costs). Expenses incurred by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in

administering the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Such administrative expenses are initially

paid from the OASI and DI Trust Funds as provided for in section 201(g)(1) of the Social Security Act.

The trust funds are subsequently reimbursed for such expenditures, including any interest lost, from the

General Fund of the Treasury.

Affidavit of Support. A contract under which a United States citizen or legal resident agrees to provide

support to maintain (i.e., to sponsor) an immigrant as a condition of the immigrant’s admission into the

United States.

Aged. Individuals aged 65 or older.

Aid—Old-Age Assistance (OAA), Aid to the Blind (AB), and Aid to the Permanently and Totally

Disabled (APTD). The former Federal-State programs of adult cash assistance under titles I, X, and XVI

respectively, that were replaced in the 50 States and the District of Columbia by the SSI program in 1974.

These programs still operate in Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico and are administered at the Federal level by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence. A noncitizen lawfully accorded the privilege of

residing permanently in the United States. Such individuals may be issued immigrant visas overseas by the

Department of State, or adjusted to permanent resident status while living in the United States by the U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Appeal Rights Process. The administrative review process followed by SSA in determining an individual’s rights under the Social Security Act. The administrative review process consists of several steps,

which must be requested after the unfavorable initial determination within certain time periods. 

Assistance Based on Need. Assistance that is provided by certain programs which use income as a factor

of eligibility. The assistance must be funded wholly by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a combination of such jurisdictions.

Assumptions. Values relating to future trends in certain key factors which affect the eligibility for SSI

benefits and the level of such SSI payments. Demographic assumptions include fertility, mortality, net

immigration, marriage, and divorce. Economic assumptions include unemployment rates, average earnings, inflation, interest rates, and productivity. Program-specific assumptions include rates of application

for and new receipt of various SSI benefits and rates of termination of SSI benefits. The assumptions

underlying the projections presented in this report are consistent with the intermediate assumptions of the

2010 OASDI Trustees Report.

Asylee. A noncitizen already in the United States or at a port-of-entry who is granted asylum in the

United States. Asylum may be granted to an individual who is unable or unwilling to return to his/her

country of nationality, or to seek the protection of that country, because of persecution (or a well-founded

fear of persecution) based on the noncitizen’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social

group or political opinion.

Attendant Care Services. Services (including personal care assistance) that are paid for from Federal,

State or local funds and which are provided by a paid attendant required to assist with work related and/or

personal functions. 

Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase. The annual increase in SSI Federal benefit rates, effective for January of the current year, reflecting the change in the cost of living. In general, the benefit increase equals the

percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
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measured from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no

increase in the CPI-W, there is no cost-of-living benefit increase.

Award. An administrative determination that an individual is eligible for an SSI benefit.

Blind. For purposes of the SSI program, an individual is considered to be blind if he/she has 20/200 or

less vision in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens, has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less, or met

the October 1972 State definition of blindness and received benefits under the State’s former program of

Aid to the Blind in December 1973.

Blind Work Expenses (BWE). Any expenses incurred by a blind individual that are reasonably attributable to earning income. The BWE provision permits the exclusion of these expenses from the earned

income of a blind individual. (See “Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)” for the related exclusions

for disabled individuals.)

Burial Funds. A comprehensive term that for SSI purposes includes revocable burial contracts, trusts and

other burial arrangements (including amounts paid on installment sales contracts for burial spaces), cash,

accounts, or other financial instruments with a definite cash value clearly designated for the individual’s

burial expenses.

Child. A blind or disabled individual who is neither married nor the head of household and who is: (1)

under age 18; or (2) under the age of 22 and a student regularly attending a school, college or university, or

a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare him/her for gainful employment. A child

18 or older is subject to the adult definition of disability and is not subject to parental deeming. 

Comparable Severity. The phrase in the Social Security Act that defined disability for children prior to

the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193).

Under prior law, an individual under age 18 would have been considered disabled if he/she had an impairment of comparable severity to that required for individuals 18 or older.

Constant Dollars. Dollar amounts adjusted by the CPI to the value of the dollar in a particular year.

Consumer Price Index (CPI). An official measure of inflation in consumer prices. In this report, all references to the CPI relate to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers

(CPI-W). Historical values for the CPI-W are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of

Labor.

Continuing Disability Review (CDR). An evaluation of an individual’s impairment(s) to determine

whether the person is still disabled within the meaning of the law for purposes of eligibility for SSI and

OASDI benefits.

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). See “Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase.”

Countable Income. An individual’s income less all-applicable exclusions. This amount is used to determine SSI eligibility and benefit amount.

Countable Resources. The amount of resources after all exclusions. This amount is used in determining

an individual’s or couple’s SSI eligibility. A resource may be cash or other liquid assets or any real or personal property that an individual (or his/her spouse) owns and could convert to cash to be used for support

and maintenance. SSI law stipulates what items are to be excluded from resources. 

Current Dollars. Amounts expressed in nominal dollars with no adjustment for inflationary changes in

the value of the dollar over time.

Current-Payment Status. Status of an SSI recipient to whom a benefit is being paid for a given month.

SSI benefits for a month are usually payable on the first day of that month.
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Dedicated Account. An account in a financial institution established for a disabled or blind child to contain retroactive SSI payments that exceed six times the Federal benefit rate (FBR) plus State supplementation (certain smaller retroactive payments may be placed in the account once it is established).

Representative payees may only use dedicated account funds for the following allowable expenses: 

 • Education or job skills training;

 • Personal needs assistance;

 • Special equipment or housing modifications;

 • Medical treatment;

 • Therapy or rehabilitation; or

 • Other items or services that the Commissioner deems appropriate—

provided that the expense benefits the child and, in the case of the last five items, is related to the child’s

impairment. Money from a dedicated account which is knowingly misapplied must be repaid. These

accounts are excluded from resources and the interest earned is excluded from income.

Deeming. The process by which the income and resources of an ineligible individual are considered to be

available to a recipient when determining eligibility or payment amount. Deeming applies only between:

 • The living-with ineligible spouse and the eligible spouse;

 • The living-with ineligible parent(s) and eligible child(ren) under age 18; and

 • The immigration sponsors of some noncitizens and the noncitizen(s).

Demographic Assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Disability. For individuals aged 18 or older, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity

(SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to

result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

An individual under age 18 must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which

results in marked and severe functional limitations and that can be expected to result in death or that has

lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. 

Disability Determination Services (DDS). Federally funded State agencies that make disability determinations for SSA.

Disaster Assistance. Assistance from Federal programs and agencies, joint Federal and State programs,

State or local government programs, and private organizations (e.g., the Red Cross) provided to victims of

a Presidentially declared disaster.

Disposal of Resources for Less Than Fair Market Value. Transferring resources, either liquid, real, or

personal property, for less than the resources are worth.

Earned Income. For SSI purposes, wages, net earnings from self-employment, remuneration for work in

a sheltered workshop, royalties on published work, and honoraria for services rendered are considered

earned income. The distinction between earned and unearned income is significant because more liberal

exclusions are applied to earned income.

Earned Income Exclusion. The first $65 of a recipient’s monthly earnings and one-half of the earnings

in excess of $65 are excluded in computing the SSI benefit payable.
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A special tax credit that reduces the Federal tax liability of certain

low-income working taxpayers. This tax credit may or may not result in a payment to the taxpayer.

Economic Assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Effective Date of Application. An application for SSI benefits is effective on the first day of the month

following the date on which the application is filed, or on which the individual first becomes eligible,

whichever is later. 

Eligible Couple. Two persons married and living together in the same household or living together as

married, both being aged, blind, or disabled and eligible for SSI.

Eligible Individual. An aged, blind or disabled person who meets all the requirements for eligibility

under the SSI program, including filing an application.

Emergency Advance Payments (EAP). Special SSI payments that are available only at the time of initial application for eligible individuals who face financial emergencies and need assistance before their

first benefits would otherwise be received. The amount of the EAP an individual receives is recovered

from subsequent benefit payments.

Essential Person. An individual whose presence in the home of an SSI recipient who was transferred

from a State assistance program to SSI in January 1974 results in an increase in the FBR of the SSI recipient. The essential person must have been: (1) living in the household of the SSI recipient in December

1973 and continuously thereafter; (2) never eligible for SSI; (3) not eligible for State assistance in December 1973; and (4) taken into account when the SSI recipient’s need for State assistance was determined in

December 1973.

Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). The basic standard used in computing the amount of Federal SSI benefits

for individuals and couples. The FBRs are increased annually to reflect increases in the cost of living. (See

table IV.A2.)

Fiscal Year (FY). The accounting year of the United States Government. Since 1976, a fiscal year is the

12-month period ending September 30. For example, fiscal year 2010 began October 1, 2009 and will end

September 30, 2010.

Food Stamps. See “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

General Fund of the Treasury. Funds held by the Treasury of the United States, other than receipts collected for a specific purpose (such as Social Security) and maintained in a separate account for that purpose.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The total dollar value of all goods and services produced by labor and

property located in the United States, regardless of who supplies the labor or property. 

Holding-Out Marriage. A situation in which a man and woman who are not legally married to each

other are living together in the same household and holding out to the community that they are husband

and wife and, as such, are treated as a couple for purposes of determining eligibility and payment amount

under SSI.

Home Energy Assistance. A Federal Government block grant program that provides funds to States for

energy assistance (including weatherization) to low-income households. This assistance may be provided

by a variety of agencies (e.g., State or local welfare offices, community action agencies, special energy

offices, etc.) and may be known by a variety of names (e.g., Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Project Safe, etc.).

Household. A group of two or more individuals who use a single dwelling unit as primary quarters for

living and eating separate from other individuals’ living units.

Household of Another. An individual is considered to be living in the household of another when the

individual lives with others, does not own or rent the shelter, and does not pay a pro rata share of the
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household’s food and shelter expenses. An individual who provides all of his/her own food, or lives in a

public assistance household or in noninstitutional care, is not considered to be living in the household of

another. An individual who is determined to be living in the household of another is considered to be

receiving in-kind support and maintenance from that household, and his/her SSI benefit is reduced by onethird of the FBR. 

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE). The provision that permits the exclusion from earnings

of the costs of items and services which are needed in order for a disabled individual to work, which are

paid for by the individual, and which are necessarily incurred by that individual because of a physical or

mental impairment. These IRWEs are excluded from earnings when determining substantial gainful activity (SGA) or computing eligibility and ongoing SSI monthly payments. (See “Blind Work Expenses

(BWE)” for the related exclusions for blind individuals.)

Income. See—“Earned Income,” “In-Kind Income” and “Unearned Income.”

Individual Development Account (IDA). A savings account which low-income individuals, including

SSI recipients, may establish in order to save for purchasing a first home, meeting the costs of post-secondary education, or capitalizing a business. An individual’s deposits into an IDA are matched by a sponsoring nonprofit organization, or State or local government participating in the program.

Ineligible Spouse. The husband or wife of an eligible individual who is not eligible for SSI benefits.

Inflation. An increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods, resulting in an

increase in the general price level.

Infrequent or Irregular Income. Income that is received either infrequently or irregularly that can be

excluded from the determination of an individual’s income. “Infrequent” means that it is not received

more than once in a calendar quarter from a single source and is not also received in the month immediately preceding or the month immediately following the month of receipt, regardless of whether or not

these payments occur in different calendar quarters.1 “Irregular” means that an individual could not reasonably expect to receive the income. In any given quarter up to $30 of earned and $60 of unearned infrequent or irregular income is excluded.

Initial Determination. A determination SSA makes about an individual’s eligibility for benefits or about

any other matter that gives that person a right to further administrative and/or judicial review.

In-Kind Income. Income that is not cash, but is food or shelter or something an individual can use to

obtain food or shelter.

In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). Unearned income in the form of food or shelter.

Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR). The process used for reimbursing for basic assistance provided by a State to an individual either while the individual’s application for SSI was pending or during

the period in which an individual’s SSI benefits were suspended. SSA may reimburse a State that has provided this assistance. The individual’s retroactive SSI payment is sent to the State as reimbursement if: (1)

the State has an agreement with SSA to participate in IAR, (2) the individual has given SSA written authorization to have his/her retroactive payment sent to the State as reimbursement, and (3) the individual is

found eligible for SSI benefits or has had his/her benefits reinstated for the same period of suspense. 

Under IAR, after States reimburse themselves from an individual’s retroactive benefit, they must forward

any remainder to the individual within 10 days.

1 The definition of infrequent income was modified in final rules published on August 9, 2006 (71 FR 45375). Previously, infrequent income was defined

as income not received more than once a quarter from a single source.
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Living With. A required condition for parent-to-child and spouse-to-spouse deeming. Deeming of

income and resources occurs if an eligible child lives with his/her ineligible parent(s) or an eligible individual lives with his/her ineligible spouse. 

Maintenance-of-Effort. See “Passalong.”

Mandatory State Supplementation. See “State Supplementation.”

Means-Testing. The measuring of income and resources against specified amounts as eligibility factors

for certain assistance benefits. SSI is a means-tested benefit program.

Medicaid. The program authorized under title XIX of the Social Security Act, which provides medical

assistance to certain low-income individuals and families and certain disabled and medically needy individuals. Medicaid is administered by the States with support from the Federal Government in the form of

matching grants. The Federal Government provides guidelines to the States for formulating their programs. Because these guidelines afford great leeway, Medicaid programs vary widely among the States.

Medicaid Facility. A medical treatment facility such as a hospital, extended care facility, nursing home,

or intermediate care facility, where Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of a person’s care.

Medical Treatment Facility. An institution or that part of an institution that is licensed or otherwise

approved by a Federal, State, or local government to provide inpatient medical care and services.

Medicare. A nationwide, Federally-administered health insurance program authorized in 1965 to cover

the cost of hospitalization, medical care, and some related services for most people age 65 and over. In

1972, coverage was extended to people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance payments for 2

years, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. In 2006, prescription drug coverage was also added.

Medicare consists of two separate but coordinated programs—Hospital Insurance (HI, Part A) and Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI). The SMI program is composed of three separate accounts—the Part B

Account, the Part D Account, and the Transitional Assistance Account. Almost all persons who are aged

65 and over or disabled and who are entitled to HI are eligible to enroll in Part B and Part D on a voluntary

basis by paying monthly premiums. Health insurance protection is available to Medicare beneficiaries

without regard to income.

New Recipient. An SSI recipient in the first month of SSI payment receipt.

Noncitizen. An individual who is not a United States citizen. Also referred to in welfare and immigration

law as an alien. (See “Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence,” “Asylee,” “Parolee” and “Refugee.”)

Nonqualified Alien. A noncitizen who is not in a qualified alien category for SSI eligibility purposes. 

OASDI. The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance programs established under title II of the

Social Security Act.

One-Third Reduction. The reduction of an individual’s SSI payment that occurs when an individual is

living in the household of another. Instead of determining the actual dollar value of in-kind support and

maintenance, one-third of the Federal benefit rate is counted as additional income to an individual living in

another person’s household for a full calendar month and receiving both food and shelter from the household.

Optional State Supplementation. See “State Supplementation.”

Overpayment. The payment of more than the amount due for any period, including any amounts of

Federally-administered State supplementary payments.
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Parent. For SSI purposes, the natural mother or father of the child, or the person who legally adopted the

child, or the stepparent who lives in the same household as the child.

Parolee. A noncitizen who appears to be inadmissible to the inspecting USCIS officer but is allowed to

enter the United States under emergency humanitarian conditions or when the noncitizen’s entry is determined to be in the public interest. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the United States and

confers temporary admission status only, requiring parolees to leave when the conditions supporting their

parole cease to exist.

Passalong. A requirement that States must meet in order to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. Any

State making supplementary payments (see “State Supplementation”) after June 30, 1977, must continue

making such payments and must pass along any cost-of-living increase to the Federal benefit rate. Two

methods are available to ensure that cost-of-living increases are passed on to the recipients.

 • Total Expenditures Method—State expenditures for supplementary payments in the current calendar

year must at least equal expenditures in the preceding calendar year. If expenditures are less in the

current year (shortfall), the State must increase expenditures in the next calendar year by an amount at

least equal to the shortfall.

 • Payment Levels Method—States may not lower their supplementary payment for any of the living

arrangement categories below their adjusted March 1983 levels. The adjusted level is the State’s

March 1983 payment level minus that portion of the July 1983 increase in the Federal benefit rate that

was not attributable to the increase in the cost of living (i.e., $10.30 per individual and $15.40 per

couple).

Past-Due Benefits. The SSI payments made in a month later than the month or months in which they

were due.

Personal Needs Allowance. The amount allowed for an institutionalized recipient’s personal needs (currently $30). If an SSI recipient is in a Medicaid facility, the law requires that the SSI benefit be used only

for the recipient’s personal needs (i.e., that the institution cannot retain the benefit in repayment of the cost

of the individual’s care).

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A plan that permits a disabled or blind SSI recipient to set aside

income (earned and/or unearned) and/or resources for a work goal. The income and resources set aside

under a PASS are used to pay for goods or services needed to reach that goal, such as education, vocational training, starting a business, or purchasing work-related equipment. Income and resources set aside

under a PASS are excluded from SSI income and resources. SSA must approve an individual’s PASS.

Presumptive Disability or Blindness. A finding that SSI payments may be made before SSA makes a

formal determination as to whether or not the individual is disabled or blind. The individual’s impairment

must be apparent and meet specified criteria. In addition, the individual must meet all other requirements

for eligibility. These payments may be made for no more than 6 months. The presumptive payments will

not be considered overpayments if SSA later finds that the individual is not blind or disabled.

Property Essential to Self-Support (PESS). The real and personal property used in a trade or business,

nonbusiness income-producing property and property used to produce goods or services essential to the

individual’s daily activities. PESS may be excluded from resources under certain conditions.

Proration of Benefits. The method of computing benefit amounts in months in which the individual reacquires eligibility after a month or more of ineligibility. In such months, an individual’s SSI benefit will be

paid according to the number of days in the month that he/she is eligible, beginning with the first day in

the month on which all eligibility requirements are met. In order to determine the benefit payable in a prorated month SSA counts the number of days an individual is eligible in the month. The amount of the individual’s regular monthly payment is multiplied by the number of days for which he/she is eligible for
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benefits. That figure is divided by the number of days in the month for which the benefit is being determined. The resulting amount is the amount due for the prorated month. Effective with claims filed August

22, 1996, proration for months of initial eligibility was eliminated.

Public Educational Institution. An institution that is operated by or controlled by the Federal Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county for the primary purpose of providing educational or vocational training. 

Public Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. A shelter for individuals whose homelessness poses a

threat to their life or health.

Public Institution. An institution that is operated by or controlled by the Federal Government, a State, or

a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county. 

Publicly Operated Community Residence. A facility that provides food and shelter and some other service such as social services, help with personal living activities, training in socialization and life skills, or

occasional or incidental medical or remedial care. In order to be publicly operated it must be operated or

controlled by the Federal Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county.

The facility must serve no more than 16 residents and must be located in a community setting.

Qualified Alien. An individual who is:

 • Lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);

 • A refugee under section 207 of the INA;

 • An asylee under section 208 of the INA;

 • A person whose deportation is withheld under section 243(h) of the INA as in effect prior to April 1,

1997, or whose removal has been withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA;

 • A parolee under section 212(d)(5) of the INA for at least 1 year;

 • A person granted conditional entry under section 203(a)(7) of the INA as in effect prior to

April 1, 1980;

 • A Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined by Federal statute, including Section 501(e) of the Refugee

Education Assistance Act of 1980;

 — Former parolees and other aliens who became permanent residents under the Cuban Adjustment

Act of 1966;

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and

Control Act (IRCA) of 1986;

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act;

or

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act.

 • A certain alien, or an alien parent of a child, or an alien child of a parent who:

 — Has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse, parent, or certain other family members the alien, parent and/or child lived with;

 — Is not living in the same household with the abusive individual;
2010 SSI Annual Report

138

 — Has been determined to need SSI because of this abuse; and

 — Has a determination from the USCIS for a certain change in status.

Qualifying Quarter of Earnings. Credit for a requisite amount of earnings assigned to a calendar quarter

for the purpose of determining the SSI eligibility of a lawfully admitted permanent resident.

Quarter of Coverage. The crediting of coverage needed for insured status under the Social Security program. In 2010, a worker receives one quarter of coverage (up to four a year) for each $1,120 of annual

earnings reported from employment or self-employment. The amount of earnings required for a quarter of

coverage is subject to annual automatic increases in proportion to increases in average wages.

Recipient. A person who is receiving awarded SSI payments based on an evaluation of his/her own

countable income and resources, age, and disability status.

Reconsideration. The first step in the administrative review process if an individual is dissatisfied with

SSA’s initial determination.

Redetermination. A periodic review of eligibility for SSI recipients to assure that requirements for eligibility continue to be met and that payment levels are in the proper amount. Income, resources, living

arrangements and other factors are reviewed. The redetermination process does not review the determination of disability. 

Refugee. A noncitizen outside of his/her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to his/

her country of nationality or to seek the protection of that country because of persecution (or a wellfounded fear of persecution) based on the noncitizen’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Unlike asylees, refugees apply for and receive this status prior to

entry into the United States.

Relocation Assistance. A type of assistance provided to persons displaced by projects that acquire real

property. Examples of types of reimbursement, allowances, and help provided are:

 • Moving expenses;

 • Reimbursement for losses of tangible property;

 • Displacement allowances;

 • Amounts required to replace a dwelling which exceed the agency’s acquisition cost for the prior

dwelling;

 • Rental expenses for displaced tenants;

 • Amounts for down payments on replacement housing for tenants who decide to buy;

 • Mortgage insurance through Federal programs with waiver of requirements that borrowers must usually meet; and

 • Replacement housing.

Representative Payee. A person who receives SSI payments on behalf of an SSI recipient. SSA will pay

benefits to a representative payee on behalf of an individual 18 years old or older when it appears that such

method of payment will be in the interest of the individual. A representative payee will be appointed if the

individual is legally incompetent or mentally or physically incapable of managing or directing the management of his/her benefits. Also, in general, if the individual is under the age of 18, a representative
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2010 SSI Annual Report

payee will be appointed. The law and regulations require that every beneficiary under age 15 must have a

representative payee.

Resident of a Public Institution. An individual who can receive substantially all of his/her food and

shelter while living in a public institution is considered a resident of the public institution. Generally, an

individual who is a resident of a public institution throughout a month is ineligible for SSI.

Resident of the United States. A person who has established an actual dwelling place within the geographical limits of the United States with the intent to continue to live in the United States. (See “United

States.”)

Resource. The cash or other liquid assets or any real or personal property of an individual (or his/her

spouse, if any) that he/she could use or could convert to cash to be used for his/her support and maintenance.

Retrospective Monthly Accounting (RMA). The calculation method used in the SSI program to determine an individual’s eligibility for each month. RMA has two parts: an eligibility determination and a payment computation. If the individual is ineligible based on the current month’s factors (including the

current month’s countable income), no payment is due and none is paid. If the individual is eligible based

on the current month’s factors, payment is computed. The benefit for a month is generally based on the

countable income from the second month before the current month. The basic formula is to subtract the

countable income from 2 months previous from the current month’s Federal benefit rate.

Section 1619(a) Status. The special SSI cash benefits provided to disabled individuals who lose eligibility for SSI benefits under the regular rules because they have earnings at the level that is ordinarily considered to represent substantial gainful activity.

Section 1619(b) Status. The special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes provided to working disabled or blind individuals when their earnings make them ineligible for regular or special cash payments.

SNAP. See “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

Social Security Area Population. The population comprised of (i) residents of the 50 States and the District of Columbia (adjusted for net census undercount); (ii) civilian residents of Puerto Rico, the Virgin

Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands; (iii) Federal civilian employees and

persons in the Armed Forces abroad and their dependents; (iv) crew members of merchant vessels; and (v)

all other U.S. citizens abroad.

Sponsor. An individual who has signed an affidavit of support for a noncitizen entering the country.

State Supplementation. The payments made by a State or one of its political subdivisions to aged, blind,

or disabled individuals.

 • Administration—The governmental unit responsible for administering State supplementary payments

may be either a State or local agency or SSA. Under State administration, the State must absorb both

program benefits and administrative costs. Under Federal administration, the State is responsible for

the program benefits and, for 2010, pays a $10.45 administrative fee for each benefit paid.

 • Mandatory Supplementation—The supplementary payments that are made only to beneficiaries who

were converted to the SSI program from former State assistance programs at the inception of the SSI

program. Mandatory minimum State supplementary payments are required to maintain the December

1972 payment levels that these beneficiaries received under the former State assistance programs.

States are required to provide the supplementation to maintain their Federal matching funds for Medicaid.
2010 SSI Annual Report

140

 • Optional Supplementation—The payments made by States to help persons meet needs not fully covered by Federal SSI benefits. The State determines whether it will make a payment, to whom, and in

what amount. These supplements, paid on a regular basis, are intended to cover such items as food,

shelter, clothing, utilities, and other daily necessities. Some States provide optional supplementary

payments to all persons eligible for SSI benefits, while others may limit them to certain SSI recipients

such as the blind or residents of domiciliary-care facilities, or they may extend payments to persons

ineligible for SSI because of SSI income.

Statutory Blindness. See “Blind.”

Student. An individual who is regularly attending a school, college or university, or a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare him/her for gainful employment.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). An earned income exclusion for a student under age 22 with

certain limitations established by regulations. For 2010, up to $1,640 earned income in a month, but no

more than $6,600 per year, may be excluded.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The level of work activity used to establish disability. A finding of

disability requires that a person be unable to engage in SGA. For 2010, a person who is not statutorily

blind and is earning more than $1,000 a month (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily

considered to be engaging in substantial gainful activity.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),

under cooperative Federal-State agreements, issues Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

benefits in the form of paper food coupons (commonly known as food stamps) and through electronic benefit transfer, to provide nutrition for low-income families. Food stamps can be used only to buy food at

stores authorized by USDA to accept them. Prior to October 1, 2008, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was known as the Federal Food Stamp Program.

Supplemental Security Record (SSR). The computerized database maintained by SSA and containing

identifying information, income, resources and other eligibility factors, for all SSI recipients. The SSR

includes the history of SSI payments made to an individual.

Suspension. An ineligibility status which causes the nonpayment of benefits for a period of anywhere

from 1 to 12 months for any of a number of reasons such as income or resources over allowable levels,

absence from the United States, residence in a public institution, etc. Benefits can resume without reapplication, when all requirements for entitlement are again met. Suspense that lasts more than 12 months (24

months for individuals who were made ineligible because of their spouses or parent being called to active

military duty) results in a termination of the SSI record. (Once a record is terminated, reapplication is necessary.)

TANF. See “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).”

Temporary Absence. An individual’s physical move from his/her permanent place of residence that does

not constitute a change in living arrangement. In general, a temporary absence is an absence from a permanent residence which is not intended to, and does not, exceed a full calendar month. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The State grant program of assistance for needy

families established by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

(Public Law 104-193). TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program.

Termination. For an individual, cessation of benefits, which can occur for a number of reasons, including

death, medical improvement, or a period of suspension lasting longer than 12 months. 

Terminations. As used in section IV, the net reduction (after accounting for new entrants) in the number

of SSI recipients in current-payment status during a period. 
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2010 SSI Annual Report

Ticket to Work Program. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 established a voluntary Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program (Ticket to Work program) under which a

blind or disabled beneficiary may obtain vocational rehabilitation (VR), employment and other support

services from a qualified private or public provider referred to as an “employment network,” or from a

State VR agency. 

Trusts. A legal arrangement involving property and ownership interests. Generally, property held in a

trust will be considered a resource for SSI purposes if the assets of the trust could be used for the benefit of

the individual or spouse. 

Unearned Income. The income that is not earned income. Unearned income may be in cash or in-kind.

Some examples of unearned income are:

 • Annuities, pensions, and other periodic payments;

 • Retirement and disability benefits;

 • Veterans’, workers’ and unemployment compensation;

 • Alimony and support payments;

 • Dividends, interest and certain royalties; and

 • Rents. 

United States. For purposes of the SSI program, the United States consists of the 50 States, District of

Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The process of restoring individuals with disabilities to full capabilities.

VR services are designed to provide an individual with the training or other services that are needed to

return to work, begin working or to enter a new line of work.

Windfall Offset. A provision to prevent a person from receiving monthly SSI and OASDI benefits in

excess of the total amount which would have been paid if the OASDI benefits had been paid when they

were due rather than retroactively. 

Work Incentives. Provisions in the SSI program that are intended to act as incentives for disabled or

blind individuals to work. Examples of work incentives under the SSI program are:

 • Earned income exclusions;

 • Impairment related work expenses;

 • Blind work expenses;

 • PASS;

 • Section 1619 benefits; and

 • Ticket to Work program.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD 

STATEMENT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL 

SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM 

Public Law 104-193 requires that members of the Social Security Advisory Board be 

given an opportunity, either individually or jointly, to include their views in the Social 

Security Administration’s annual report to the President and the Congress on the 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. 

We have asked the Social Security Administration (SSA) to include in this year’s annual 

report the following statement of our views on Social Security’s representative payee 

program. Although we will focus on representative payment in the Supplemental 

Security Income program, much of what we say also relates to the Old Age Survivors and 

Disability Insurance program. 

Executive summary 

For more than 70 years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been issuing 

checks to representative payees who manage the money for beneficiaries who are deemed 

temporarily or permanently incapable of managing their own benefits. There is an 

inevitable risk that representative payees will use the benefits for their own purposes. 

The representative payee program tends to get overlooked in the press of other business. 

From time to time there have been scandals in which payees have misused large amounts 

of money. In 2000 a story on a television newsmagazine about a payee who had misused 

$213,000 from 146 beneficiaries resulted in congressional hearings (House Ways and 

Means 2000, Senate Aging 2000). The scandal led to the Social Security Protection Act 

of 2004. Among other provisions, that act required periodic onsite reviews of certain 

groups of payees. It also required SSA to conduct a study of how payees were using 

benefit payments. That study was conducted from 2005 to 2007 by a committee of the 

National Research Council (NRC).1

 

While protecting the interests of its most vulnerable beneficiaries is a part of SSA’s 

stewardship responsibilities, it is not possible for SSA to ensure that a representative 

payee will never take advantage of a beneficiary. The challenge for the agency is to 

protect beneficiaries as effectively as possible, while carrying out its primary mission of 

making timely and accurate benefit payments. This challenge is especially important in 

the SSI program, in which 37 percent of beneficiaries have a representative payee. 

 

1

The NRC is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the federal 

government. SSA has accepted most of the recommendations of the NRC report and has implemented, or 

is working toward implementing them. A status report by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General on the 

NRC’s recommendations and SSA’s response is available at: http://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF/A-13-

09-29141.pdf
2

Six years after the enactment of the Social Security Protection Act, and three years after 

the NRC report, this issue brief examines ways in which SSA can continue to focus its 

efforts to meet this challenge. We also present some additional recommendations to 

strengthen SSA’s protection of beneficiaries. Specifically, we recommend that: 

 SSA should expand its recent efforts to identify cases with the greatest risk of 

misuse by making greater use of available data, in order to target selection and 

monitoring activities in the most efficient way. 

 SSA should establish criteria for data-driven selection and monitoring of 

representative payees. The agency is legally required to obtain from 

representative payees an annual accounting for benefit payments. It should 

develop a data-driven approach to obtain those accountings in a way that is 

tailored to different risk groups. 

 SSA should increase its efforts to avoid selecting as payees people or 

organizations that have interests which conflict with the best interests of the 

vulnerable beneficiaries whom they would be serving. 

 SSA should implement an annual quality review sample of its payee activities, 

including capability determinations, payee selections, and misuse determinations. 

 SSA’s Inspector General should annually review a sample of site visits to 

organizational payees to ensure that those visits are effective in preventing misuse 

and ensuring compliance with SSA policies. 

 SSA’s Inspector General should examine a sample of beneficiaries with fee-forservice payees to see how the payee’s fee impacts the beneficiaries’ food, shelter, 

and personal needs. 

 SSA should take steps to improve coordination and establish automated data 

exchanges with other agencies that also serve SSA’s beneficiaries. There are 

numerous agencies that use payees or other fiduciaries or that provide protective 

services. The Veterans Administration, state courts, state Adult Protective 

Service agencies, Protection and Advocacy agencies for people with disabilities, 

and state foster care agencies all serve populations that include SSA beneficiaries. 

Improved coordination and data exchanges can better protect the people that each 

agency serves. 

Given the size and vulnerability of the population of SSI beneficiaries with representative 

payees, SSA should make implementing these recommendations and those of the NRC a 

priority. 
3

I. Introduction 

Representative payment began with the Social Security amendments of 1939, which 

authorized the Social Security Board (as it then was known), to certify payment “to a 

relative or some other person” for the “use and benefit” of an applicant, when it would 

serve the interest of an applicant for benefits. Until that time, only retired workers were 

eligible for benefits. The 1939 amendments added benefits for wives of retired workers 

and for widows and dependent children of deceased workers. In preparing for the first 

monthly benefit payments in 1940, the agency saw a need to establish a way to make 

payments for minor children and for mentally incompetent beneficiaries. It also 

acknowledged its responsibility for seeing that payees used the benefits properly (Federal 

Security Agency, 1940). 

Beneficiaries who had representative payees have always been the most vulnerable 

groups of beneficiaries, children and individuals who were unable to manage their own 

funds. But the rules put in place in 1939 did not contemplate the complexities of today’s 

world and the broader beneficiary population. The addition of the Disability Insurance 

and Supplemental Security Income programs added much larger groups of vulnerable 

beneficiaries. Changes in society, such as the deinstitutionalization of people with mental 

illness and developmental disabilities, have also changed the beneficiary population. 

Beneficiaries now include groups that have a variety of special needs and who may be 

homeless. As a result, the role of the representative payee may cover a much wider range 

of responsibilities than originally intended. For example a payee, in addition to 

managing a beneficiary’s funds, may also become involved in helping the beneficiary 

find shelter or obtain treatment or assist with employment. 

Dealing with representative payees in the SSI program is a substantial workload for SSA. 

About 2.8 million SSI beneficiaries, or about 37 percent of the total, have payees (SSA, 

SSI Annual Statistical Report, 2009). Over just the last quarter century, the number of 

SSI beneficiaries with payees has risen by 197 percent, while the total of number of SSI 

beneficiaries increased by 87 percent (SSA, Annual Statistical Supplements). 

SSI beneficiaries with payees, 1984-2008 
4

The selection and monitoring of such a large number of payees is a daunting task. In FY 

2009, SSA spent 1,900 workyears, nearly 3 percent of its total workyears, on 

representative payee activities, not including those involved in initial claims. That is 

more time than it spent on Medicare activities and nearly as much time as it spent on 

overpayments or continuing disability reviews (SSA Workload Trend Report, FY 2009). 

The task of managing another person’s benefits can be a difficult one, especially if the 

beneficiary is not always cooperative. The duties of the payee include: 

 Using payments for the beneficiary’s current needs 

 Saving any unneeded benefits for future use 

 Filing an accounting report on how the payments were used and making all 

supporting records available if requested by SSA 

 Reimbursing the amount of any loss suffered by the beneficiary due to misuse by 

the payee 

 Notifying SSA in a timely manner of any events that may affect eligibility or 

benefit amount. 

The great majority of payees receives no compensation for their services and deserves 

gratitude for volunteering their time and effort. As the following chart shows, most 

payees are relatives. But according to SSA it is difficult to even find individuals or 

organizations that are willing to serve as payees for some beneficiaries and in some 

geographic areas (National Research Council). SSA tries to balance the need to find 

payees who are willing to take on this responsibility against the burdens that oversight 

puts on them. The agency tries to maintain an appropriate level of monitoring without 

requiring so much of payees that they will avoid taking on the responsibility. 

Types of SSI payees, 2008 
5

Finding the balance between adequate oversight and not overburdening payees makes 

monitoring difficult. A payee who is close to the beneficiary and uses the benefits in the 

beneficiary’s interest may not have the ability to maintain records and report on them. In 

fact, only about two-thirds of the payees surveyed in a recent study indicated that they 

kept records of how the benefits they managed were spent (National Research Council). 

The accounting form used by SSA, as we will describe later, is simple – in fact it has 

been criticized for being too simple – but it is not understood by many payees who 

complete it. It is beyond the ability of some payees to complete properly (Kutner, 2007). 

II. Meeting the Challenge

Identifying misuse

The NRC committee performed a valuable service in conducting its study of misuse of 

benefits, and pointing out new approaches to detect misuse in a more focused manner. 

The statute defines misuse in this way: “Misuse occurs in any case in which the 

representative payee receives payment under this title for the use and benefit of another 

person and converts such payment, or any part thereof, to a use other than for the use and 

benefit of such other person.” 

SSA has stated in the past that misuse is extremely rare and has been found to be less 

than 0.01 percent of cases (SSA testimony, September 9, 2003). The NRC committee’s 

in-depth study of misuse found that misusers were about 0.2 percent of individual payees, 

still a small percentage, but considerably higher than the SSA estimate. Despite the 

simplicity of the definition of misuse, it is sometimes difficult to determine it in practice. 

It is difficult to determine misuse in the absence of records, so the fact that the NRC 

committee also found that only about two-thirds of payees reported keeping records 

makes estimating the extent of misuse even more problematic. 

SSA uses three major methods to detect misuse: reports from beneficiaries or third 

parties, small random samples conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General, and 

the annual accounting form. The NRC committee concluded that none of these was 

effective in detecting misuse. 

Before 1983, SSA created an accounting system on its own initiative, as it did not then 

have a mandate to conduct accountings of funds that payees received on behalf of 

beneficiaries. In 1983, however, the decision in a class action suit said that all payees 

should be required to give a full accounting of how they spend and save Title II and Title 

XVI benefits on behalf of beneficiaries. Subsequently, Congress required that all payees,

except state mental institutions participating in the on-site review program, submit an 

accounting report annually. 

The annual accounting form tells payees the amount of benefits paid during the year 

being accounted for and asks them to state the amount spent on various categories and the 

amount saved. They are told not to submit receipts, but to retain them for two years. 

SSA accepts the figures submitted by the payee as long as the total amount spent and 
6

saved equals or exceeds 90 percent of the amount received. Sending, collecting, and 

reviewing this information is a large expenditure of effort that yields little useful result in 

detecting misuse. 

The methods SSA is currently using are not effective in detecting misuse, and new 

approaches are needed. The NRC committee’s study used data elements from SSA’s 

records (for example, payee is a non-relative, or payee does not live with beneficiary) to 

identify payee characteristics that would help target potential misusers. That approach is 

similar to the profiling that SSA has used for redeterminations and continuing disability 

reviews to find cases in which erroneous payments were most likely. A study done by 

SSA’s Office of the Inspector General found that the characteristics identified by NRC 

should be used to identify representative payees who have a high risk of misuse. The 

study also found that the characteristics were reliable indicators of poor performance, 

other than misuse, by payees (SSA, Office of the Inspector General, Characteristics).

SSA has used those characteristics to develop profiles for identifying representative 

payees with a higher probability of misusing benefits. 

We urge SSA to continue its work along these lines and revise its annual accounting form 

to obtain additional information on payee characteristics that would help evaluate risk 

factors and payee performance. As the committee wrote, “No form, by itself, is going to 

detect program misuse. However, if a form can be used to obtain information on 

characteristics of interest, it could then be combined with a rigorous program of audits.” 

Other work on financial abuse has stressed the need to examine characteristics of the 

victims of abuse as well as the perpetrators in an effort to better understand risk factors 

(Rabiner et al., Hafemeister). We recommend that SSA commit research staff to ongoing 

work on representative payee issues, including examining characteristics of payees in 

combination with those of beneficiaries in order to target its selection and monitoring 

activities in the most efficient way. SSA is working on improving its data systems for 

representative payees, and doing so will provide more useable data for analysis. It should 

also test the use of external data sources, such as data exchanges with other agencies, 

credit bureaus, and criminal justice records. 

Once SSA has established criteria for data-driven selection and monitoring, it should 

carry out its annual accounting in a way that is tailored to different risk groups, 

monitoring high risk groups more carefully. 

Conflicts of interest

Recent reports of exploitation of a group of beneficiaries point out the need for paying 

special attention to cases in which payees have an interest that conflicts with the best 

interests of the beneficiary. In February 2009, inquiries by a sister of a beneficiary led to 

a series of inspections at a boarding facility in Iowa. The fire marshal ordered the facility 

closed, and the 21 residents were moved to a state-licensed care facility. The men’s 

employer has become the focus of an investigation involving several state and federal 

agencies. That investigation has shown that for 34 years, a Texas company sent men 

with intellectual disabilities from Texas to Iowa to work in a poultry-processing plant. 
7

The men were working for about 40 cents an hour and lived in a century-old building that 

was leased to their employer for $600 per month. Each of the men was reported to be 

receiving a Social Security disability benefit (SSI and/or SSDI), averaging about $640 

per month. These benefit payments were managed by their employer, who was also their 

payee and their landlord and “care” provider. The employer was reported to charge the 

men all but $60 to $70 of their total income for room, board and “kind care.” The sister 

of one of the men stated that he had $80 in the bank after working for 30 years 

(Kauffman February 8 and 10, 2009; Jones). 

SSA’s accounting forms are not designed to uncover this kind of abuse. As long as the 

figures on the accounting forms showed that the benefits were being used to meet the 

needs of the beneficiaries, and the figures added up, no further action would be taken. To 

its credit, however, SSA has taken action to investigate whether there are other situations 

in which representative payees are also employers and beneficiaries are vulnerable to 

exploitation. SSA has compiled a database of payees who also employ their 

beneficiaries. It reviewed 328 such employers in FY 2009 and referred two potential 

wage violations to the Department of Labor. It also entered into a contract with the 

National Disability Rights Network to pay for on-site reviews to be conducted by 

investigators for state Protection and Advocacy agencies. SSA’s Inspector General plans 

to examine a sample of the reviews to determine whether they complied with SSA’s 

policies and procedures (Kauffman, December 27, 2009; SSA, Briefing for the Social 

Security Advisory Board, January 12, 2010; SSA, Office of the Inspector General, 

Congressional Response Report, May 2010). 

There are other situations that call for similar attention. The NRC report pointed out the 

conflict of interest when a representative payee was also the operator of a group home, 

foster care home or board and care home, providing food, shelter and, ostensibly, services 

to the beneficiary while controlling the person’s benefit. Some states monitor and/or 

license some or all of these facilities and have rules for fiscal management of benefits. In 

other states, the payee is free to charge any amount and deduct it from the benefit 

payment. The committee found cases in which the payee charged beneficiaries receiving 

different benefit amounts the entire benefit amount for room and board. Some of these 

payees could provide records and were complying with reporting standards, although 

they may have been exploiting their beneficiaries. In addition they may not have been in 

compliance with Social Security regulations and policy that address the expectation that 

payees will also provide for a beneficiary’s personal needs, and clothing, even if that 

means a facility gets paid a little less than is usual (CFR 20, 404.204 Use of benefit 

Payments, and POMS, GN00602.001, Use of Benefits, 2. Proper Use of Benefits). 

A 2009 study by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General underlined the need to pay 

greater attention to payees who have a creditor relationship because their beneficiaries 

reside in a group home that the payee operates. That study examined a sample of payees 

to determine if some of them operated as group homes. Since current law requires SSA 

to conduct periodic reviews of individual payees serving 15 or more beneficiaries, OIG 

looked at payees who served 14 or fewer beneficiaries. To focus more closely on 

potential group homes, it further restricted its sample to payees with at least three 
8

beneficiaries who were not relatives. In a sample of 16 payees, it found 3 group homes, 3 

beneficiaries whose clothing or shelter needs were not being met, and 3 payees charging 

unauthorized fees (SSA, OIG, Individual Representative Payees Serving Multiple 

Beneficiaries and Organizational Representative Payee Serving as an Individual 

Representative Payee in Philadelphia). Since in this small sample, the OIG study found 

a substantial percentage of group homes (and therefore creditor relationships that the 

agency had not been aware of) and violations of SSA policy, SSA should pursue further 

investigations along these lines. 

SSA should increase its monitoring of individual payees, such as operators of group 

homes, who are also in a creditor relationship with the beneficiary, and should develop 

performance and reporting standards specifically for this type of payee. Whenever 

possible, SSA should avoid putting beneficiaries in a position where their payees’ interest 

conflicts with their own best interest. The agency may have difficulty identifying payees 

who are also creditors, given the state of its data system, but it is updating that system. It 

should obtain the data it needs, develop performance and reporting standards, and move 

toward enforcing them to the best of its ability. 

Selection

Applicants who want to be selected as representative payees currently complete the 

application in a face-to-face interview in most cases. SSA’s program instructions direct 

interviewers to use the interview to determine the applicant’s qualifications and motive 

for filing to be a payee, to judge the applicant’s ability to carry out the payee’s 

responsibilities, and to explain the payee’s duties, reporting responsibilities, and liability 

of non-compliance of reporting (SSA, Program Operations Manual System, GN 

00502.113). 

The program instructions also state: “SSA is legally required to verify identity and SSN 

information supplied by payee applicants. Verifying other allegations such as income 

and custody may also help determine a payee applicant’s suitability.” The instructions 

also provide payee preference lists. For example, the preference list for minor children 

begins with a parent with custody, a legal guardian, a parent without custody but who 

shows strong concern, and goes on through five more categories. The instruction states 

that the lists are meant only as guidelines and that each payee application must be 

evaluated to determine the best payee (SSA, Program Operations Manual System, GN 

00502,105, GN 00502.117). 

Just as data on payee characteristics can help with misuse, as described above, they can 

also help in payee selection. SSA should use its data on payee characteristics to shape its 

policies on selection of payees. The data that it is developing, and should continue to 

develop, on payee characteristics that are linked to misuse should be built into its payee 

selection. SSA should also take advantage of other data that are available to it, such as 

credit reports, criminal records, and information from other public agencies. It should 

use data from these sources as it uses the information on payee characteristics from its 
9

own records and analyze it for potential links to payee misuse that can improve its 

selection and monitoring of payees. 

SSA should also avoid giving control of beneficiaries’ funds to someone who is not 

designated as a payee. SSA’s Office of the Inspector General looked into the use of “in 

care of” addresses to gain control of benefit payments while avoiding representative 

payee reporting. It found that 216,000 beneficiaries had addresses “in care of” someone 

else. OIG auditors visited 21 nursing homes and other facilities. It found that at five of 

them, the staff acknowledged the beneficiaries retained no control over, or had no access 

to, SSA payments. Once the “in care of” address changes were made, SSA would mail 

payments directly to the facility or electronically deposit funds into accounts controlled 

by the facility. This gave the facility control over the benefits without the responsibility 

that comes with being representative payee (SSA, OIG, Beneficiary and Recipient Use of 

“In Care of” Addresses).

Oversight

Once they are selected, some payees will need support from SSA. The most common 

reasons for payees to contact SSA for help have been to clarify the beneficiary’s benefit 

amount, to understand the payee’s responsibilities, and to request permission to allow the 

beneficiary to manage his or her own benefits. The NRC’s survey found that, of those 

who did contact SSA with questions or concerns, nearly a quarter felt somewhat (9.3 

percent) or very (14.5 percent) dissatisfied with the help they had received. Payees 

perform an important service, and many of them may have difficulty understanding or 

following the instructions they receive when they are appointed. Since the NRC report, 

SSA has done an assessment of payee needs and plans to evaluate its publications and 

enhance its website for payees. It has also made it possible for payees to file the annual 

accounting form online. It should continue to find out what kinds of help payees need 

and make sure they have the information and support that will help them fulfill their 

responsibilities to both beneficiaries and SSA. 

SSA’s field staff also needs additional support in fulfilling its responsibilities. The NRC 

committee reported that during its field visits, some field office staff said that they did not 

have adequate methods to judge whether a prospective new payee was more suitable than 

the current payee. Field office staff stated that they did not have means to verify 

information given by prospective payees. The Advisory Board has heard similar 

comments during its visits to SSA field offices. Since field offices no longer have field 

representatives who can visit beneficiaries, they are limited in their ability to determine 

whether benefits are being used to meet the beneficiaries’ needs. SSA has recently 

conducted training for its field managers and staff on payee issues, and it plans to conduct 

additional training. SSA should also analyze the needs of its front-line employees in 

addition to training, and then provide them with the tools they need to do their job well. 

The NRC committee’s study of misuse found individual payees who were given fees by a 

beneficiary for their services, in violation of SSA policy (NRC, 2007). Only 

organizational payees are allowed to charge a fee. Other researchers have also found that 
10

individual payees charge the beneficiary fees (Gallmeier and Levy). Individual payees 

are not authorized to collect fees, and doing so is misuse. The current accounting form 

for individual payees does not ask about this. The next revision of the form should ask if 

the payee charges a fee. 

At a Congressional hearing in 2000, SSA’s Inspector General said of representative 

payee oversight, “This is a workload [at] Social Security, in the field, that gets deferred. 

It is not addressed because there are other priorities that interfere. We do not have a 

performance measure in our performance plan that deals with having this process as 

effective and having the best integrity that it possibly could. And in my opinion, where 

you do not have a performance measure, normally in life, you do not have much 

compliance or an incentive. So we think that is probably called for, also.” Later, 

referring to a large case of representative payee fraud, he said “this particular situation 

happens when this focus, this stewardship, if you will, of this particular area was not 

important. What was more important was to get benefits out the door.” (Huse, 2000). A 

letter from the National Council of Social Security Management Associations, which 

represents SSA’s front-line management, indicated that payee activities were still 

backlogged in 2008 and explained, “Suffice it to say that some of these workloads are of 

low priority or end up backlogged simply because they are not being monitored as closely 

as others” (NCSSMA). 

As an external advisory committee on representative payees recommended to SSA in 

1996, SSA should implement a quality review sample to examine the quality of SSA 

determinations of beneficiaries’ capability to handle benefits, payee selections, and 

misuse determinations. The quality review should also supplement payee self-reporting 

with collecting collateral evidence to support the payee’s statements. Such a quality 

review would indicate to front-line staff that the agency considers representative payee 

issues an important workload. At the same time, it would collect data and identify trends 

that might suggest the need for further policy changes. There should also be continued 

management attention to agency performance of its duties related to representative 

payees. 

Organizational payees

The fact that the NRC study was limited to individual payees serving fewer than 15 

beneficiaries and non-fee-for-service organizational payees serving fewer than 50 

beneficiaries does not mean that the broader organizational payee program is without 

problems. 

The Social Security Protection Act of 2004 required SSA to expand its monitoring of 

certain representative payees, including organizational payees representing 50 or more 

beneficiaries (known as volume payees) and all payees authorized to collect a fee for 

service. SSA’s monitoring program includes reviews of all volume payees and fee-forservice payees and all state mental institutions at least once every three years. SSA also 

selects a random sample of payees not scheduled for a triennial site review in that year. 

In addition, SSA conducts targeted reviews as needed if events raise concerns about a 
11

payee’s performance. Payee reviews include meetings with representatives from the 

organizations, assessments of the payees’ recordkeeping, and interviews with 

beneficiaries. 

In FY 2002, a consultant reviewed SSA’s site review process for fee-for-service, large 

organizational payees serving over 100 beneficiaries, and individual payees serving over 

20 beneficiaries. The site review focuses on communicating SSA’s expectations of 

representative payees, and discussing what payees need from SSA to perform their 

functions. Site reviewers also examine documentation to check beneficiary resources and 

ensure that interest on conserved funds is credited to the beneficiary’s account. They also 

check to ensure that accounting forms have been returned, that conserved funds have 

been returned if a new payee has been appointed, that any overpayments have been 

repaid, and that only appropriate fees have been charged. The consultant’s report found 

that in general the site review process was very effective, but it noted that the site reviews 

were not financial or accounting audits, and that even a financial audit could not ensure 

against fraud (Chesapeake Consulting). 

More recently, an audit report by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General showed one 

aspect of the potential for misuse by organizational payees. In 2007, SSA’s Office of the 

Inspector General examined a sample of 139 organizational payees that received 3 or 

more benefit payments after the deaths of beneficiaries between January 2000 and May 

2006. Of the 139 organizations in its sample, it found that 76 did not timely report the 

deaths of multiple beneficiaries and/or did not return funds that were incorrectly paid 

after death, despite SSA’s efforts to recover the benefits. Projecting from its sample, 

OIG estimated that SSA paid about 2,780 organizational payees $10 million in benefits 

after the deaths of beneficiaries (SSA, OIG, Organizational Representative Payees). 

In the last ten years, SSA’s Office of the Inspector General has issued audit reports on ten 

of the approximately 1,200 fee-for-service payees. Among the problems these audits 

uncovered were: holding large amounts of conserved funds in uninsured, non-interest 

bearing accounts; accepting incorrect payments after the death of beneficiaries; charging 

excessive fees; having only limited contact with their beneficiaries; not keeping adequate 

records showing how funds were spent; commingling other funds with benefit funds; and 

not returning conserved funds for beneficiaries no longer in the payee’s care. 

These OIG audit reports indicate that, while site reviews are helpful, they do not fulfill 

SSA’s stewardship responsibility to manage benefit payments in a way that maintains the 

trust of the public it serves. The Office of the Inspector General should conduct annually 

a review of a sample of site visits and provide feedback to SSA to ensure that future site 

visits are as effective as possible in preventing misuse and ensuring compliance with SSA 

policies. Attention should be directed to whether or not beneficiaries actually receive the 

personal needs money they are supposed to receive, and whether or not what rep payees 

report on paper about their management of beneficiary funds reflects actual practice. 

The payment of fees is another issue that requires attention. Legislation in 1990 first 

allowed qualified organizations to charge a fee. The fee is deducted from the 
12

beneficiary’s payment and is used for expenses incurred by the organization in serving as 

payee. The maximum fee was originally set at $25 and stayed at that amount through 

1996. It was later indexed to the cost of living. Fee-for-service payees are now entitled 

to collect the lesser of $37 or 10 per cent of the monthly benefit amount per month from 

each beneficiary whose benefits they manage. Payees for beneficiaries who have a 

medically determinable substance abuse disorder as a secondary diagnosis are entitled to 

a higher fee, the lesser of $72 or 10 percent of the monthly benefit amount per month 

from each beneficiary. Fee-for-service payees are last on SSA’s preference list for 

selection of payees and are generally selected only when no other suitable payee can be 

found. 

SSA currently has 1,201 fee-for-service payees providing services to 96,096 SSI 

beneficiaries, of whom 2,172 have a substance abuse disorder as a secondary diagnosis. 

If each of these payees received the maximum amount, the total of fees paid for a year 

would be $44 million. In the context of a program that distributes $40 billion per year in 

Federal benefits, that may not be considered a large amount. On the other hand, for a 

beneficiary with a Federal benefit rate of $674 per month, a fee of $37 or $72 is a large 

amount. Since the SSI monthly benefit is below the poverty level to begin with and since 

it is not the beneficiaries’ choice to have a fee-for-service payee, it seems unreasonable to 

require beneficiaries to pay the payee’s fee. What we do not know, however, is the 

impact of the fee on beneficiaries who may be receiving other benefits to help pay the 

cost of food, shelter, and other necessities. We therefore recommend that OIG examine a 

sample of beneficiaries with fee-for-service payees to see how the payee’s fee impacts 

meeting their food, shelter, and personal needs. 

Guardianship and coordination

The population of representative payees overlaps with populations that are monitored by 

other agencies, but there is little coordination of oversight, or sharing of information. A 

2006 report on guardianship by the Government Accountability Office said, “With few 

exceptions, courts and federal agencies don’t systematically notify other courts or 

agencies when they identify someone who is incapacitated, nor do they notify them if 

they discover that a guardian or a representative payee is abusing the person. This lack of 

coordination may leave incapacitated people without the protection of responsible 

guardians and representative payees or, worse, with an identified abuser in charge of their 

benefit payments.” (GAO, 2006). 

In 2006, an AARP Roundtable on Representative Payees and Guardianship, with 

representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and SSA and state court 

judges, generated ideas for improving coordination (Karp and Wood): 

 Require that SSA representative payees and fiduciaries for veterans benefits 

provide courts with copies of monitoring reports when there is a court-appointed 

guardian. 

 In response to concerns that the Privacy Act prevents SSA from sharing 

information with courts, legal barriers to information exchange between federal 

agencies and courts regarding individuals should be removed. This would enable 
13

SSA to inform courts whether an individual has a payee and when the payee 

misuses benefits or violates SSA policies. 

 Establish a working group including SSA, VA, and other federal agencies with 

fiduciary programs; state court judges; and relevant national organizations. This 

group would be charged with developing national approaches to improve 

collaboration. 

 Provide contacts at federal agencies to which courts can report about problematic 

guardians. 

 Educate the judiciary on the representative payee and similar federal programs. 

A recent audit report by SSA’s Inspector General shows the potential for better use of 

existing information. When a child is placed in a state’s foster care system, authorized 

state partners can use SSA’s State Verification and Exchange System to find out whether 

the child is receiving benefits from SSA and can apply to become the child’s 

representative payee. The Inspector General compared foster care records of the state of 

Maryland with SSA’s beneficiary records and found that 952 children in Maryland’s 

foster care programs were receiving SSA benefits for which they had representative 

payees. Of that number, 402 children had payees who were neither foster care agencies 

nor the children’s foster care parents. SSA selected 50 of those 402 to assess the 

suitability of their representative payees. Of those 50, SSA determined that six 

representative payees had misused and four had possibly misused the children’s benefits 

(SSA, Office of Inspector General, Benefit Payments). 

The priority here should be to work with VA to establish a way that the agencies can 

inform one another of problematic payees. SSA should also develop working 

relationships on payee matters with state adult protective services, the state protection 

and advocacy agencies, the Area Agencies on Aging, the growing number of Aging and 

Disability Resource Centers, and state foster care agencies, to determine what 

information can be shared usefully. To the extent possible, information should be shared 

through automated data exchanges. All of these agencies have interests that overlap with 

SSA’s, and exchanges of data would be mutually beneficial in sharing information on 

payees who have misused benefits and preventing misuse for the clients of all the 

organizations involved. 

III. Conclusion

SSA has been taking steps to improve its representative payee process. We encourage 

the agency to continue along these lines, using data to focus its efforts where they will be 

most useful. Our additional recommendations are: 

 SSA should continue examining characteristics of payees and beneficiaries to 

identify cases with the greatest risk of misuse in order to target its selection and 

monitoring activities in the most efficient way. It should expand its efforts to 

include data available from sources outside SSA. 
14

 Once SSA has established criteria for data-driven selection and monitoring, it 

should carry out its annual accounting in a way that is tailored to different risk 

groups. 

 SSA should increase its efforts to avoid conflicts of interest when making 

selections of people or organizations to serve as payees for vulnerable 

beneficiaries. 

 SSA should implement an annual quality review sample of its payee activities, 

including capability determinations, payee selections, and misuse determinations. 

 SSA’s Inspector General should annually review a sample of site visits to 

organizational payees to ensure that they are effective in preventing misuse and 

ensuring compliance with SSA policies. 

 SSA’s Inspector General should also examine a sample of beneficiaries with feefor-service payees to see how the payee’s fee impacts meeting the beneficiaries’ 

food, shelter, and personal needs. 

 SSA should take steps to improve coordination and establish automated data 

exchanges with the Veterans Administration, state courts, state Adult Protective 

Service agencies, Protection and Advocacy agencies for people with disabilities, 

and state foster care agencies. These agencies all serve populations that overlap, 

and improved coordination can help them all better protect the people that each 

agency serves. 

Barbara B. Kennelly, Acting Chairwoman 

Dana K. Bilyeu Jagadeesh Gokhale Dorcas R. Hardy 

 Marsha Rose Katz Mark J. Warshawsky
15

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