Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-11001
January 2001
(Recycle prior editions)
(revised 7/01) (.pdf) -- (text)

A Desktop Guide To SSI Eligibility Requirements

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

• Medicaid
• food stamps
• Medicare premiums are paid (all states)
• Medicare premiums are paid (all states)

The following chart describes the basic eligibility requirements for SSI. The back of this chart provides additional information about benefits provided by the states. If you know someone who may be eligible, please contact a Social Security office right away.

Disabled

• corrected vision of 20/200 or less in better eye
• field of vision less than 20 degrees
• physical or mental impairment that keeps a person from performing any "substantial" work and is expected to last 12 months or result in death
• a child's impairment must result in "marked and severe functional limitations" and must be expected to last 12 months or result in death

Person whose visual impairment is not severe enough to be considered blind may qualify under the non-blind disability rules:

• a job that pays $740 per month ($1,240 if blind) is generally considered substantial work
• special work incentives allow some income and resources to be excluded and permit payment of special cash benefits or continuation of Medicaid coverage even when a blind or disabled person is working

Countable income must be:

• below $531 a month for single adult or child
• below $796 a month for couple

(In states that pay SSI supplements, countable income can be higher; see list on back.)

Not all income counts. Some exclusions are:

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

• $2,000 for single adult or child
• $3,000 for couple (limit applies even if only one member is eligible)

Not all resources count. Some exclusions are:

• the home a person lives in
• a car, depending on use or value
• burial plots for individual and immediate family
• burial funds up to $1,500
• life insurance with face value of $1,500 or less

• resides in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands; and
• U.S. citizen or national; or
• certain American Indians; or
• lawful permanent resident with 40 work credits; or
• certain noncitizens with a military service connection; or
• certain refugee or asylee-type noncitizens during the first seven years; or
• certain noncitizens in the U.S. or receiving SSI on August 22, 1996

Exception to residence:

• certain children of U.S. armed forces personnel stationed abroad

**If a noncitizen has a sponsor who signed a legally unenforceable affidavit of support (INS Form I-134), the sponsor's income and resources are considered in determining eligibility and payment amount for three years following the date of lawful admission. (This rule does not apply to noncitizens who become blind or disabled after legal admission for permanent residence or to noncitizens who are not lawful permanent residents.)

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

Alabama

1

N

Missouri

3

Y

Alaska

2

Y

Nebraska

2

Y

Arizona

1

Y

New Hampshire

3

Y

Colorado

1

Y

New Mexico

1

Y

Connecticut

3

Y

North Carolina

1

Y

Florida

1

Y

North Dakota

3

N

Idaho

2

N

Ohio

3

Y

Illinois

3

Y

Oklahoma

3

N

Indiana

3

Y

Oregon

2

Y

Kentucky

1

Y

South Carolina

1

N

Louisiana

1

N

South Dakota

1

N

Maine

1

Y

Texas

1

N

Maryland

1

Y

Virginia

3

Y

Minnesota

3

Y

Wisconsin

1

Y

Wyoming

1

N

Arkansas

1

N

N. Mariana Islands

2

N

Georgia

1

Y

Tennessee

1

Y

Kansas

2

Y

West Virginia

1

N

Mississippi

1

N