In 1972, Congress replaced the State-administered programs with the Federally administered Supplemental Income (SSI) program as an assistance source of last resort for the aged, blind, or disabled whose income and resources are below specified levels. The SSI program went into effect in January 1974, administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI has been highly successful in helping society’s most vulnerable citizens. These individuals rely on SSI benefits in order to purchase the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter. The program targets those who are the neediest, those who are too limited by their disabilities or too elderly to be expected to provide fully for their own needs. Supplemental Security Income went in to operation as a result of the Social Security Amendments of 1972. SSI is like Social Security in that both programs pay monthly benefit payments and both are administered by the SSA. There are four reasons why SSI is different form Social Security benefits. The first reason is that SSI payments are not based on your prior work or a family member’s prior work. The second reason is to get SSI, you must have limited income and resources and you must be at least 65 years old, blind or disabled. The third reason is that in most states, SSI recipients also can get Medicaid (medical assistance) to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. Lastly, SSI recipients may also be eligible for food stamps in every state except California.To be eligible for SSI benefits, an individual must be at least age 65, blind or disabled, a United States citizen or an eligible noncitizen and reside in the United States. To ensure that SSI benefits are directed towards the neediest, an individual must also meet income and resource limits. Children as well as adults can get benefits because of blindness and disability. Blind means you are either blind or have...
