very poor eyesight. Disabled means you have a physical or mental problem that keeps you from working and is expected to last a year or to result in death. For a child, Social Security looks at how his or her disability affects everyday life. Individuals’ monthly SSI benefit amounts are also affected by their income, resources, and living arrangements. The more income you have, the less your SSI payment will be. If your income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI. The value of a persons resources (the things they own) determines whether they are eligible for SSI payments. The limit for countable resources is $2000 for an individual, and $3000 for a couple. The living arrangements are important because payments vary depending if you live in your own place such as a house, apartment, or trailer; or in someone else’s household; or in an institution.The benefits are financed from general revenues, and some states supplement the Federal benefit. When states add to the federal SSI payment, then the SSI payment levels are higher in those states. The maximum federal payment changes yearly. As of January 1, 2000, the federal benefit rate was $512 for an individual and $769 for a couple. Factors such as race, gender and education all play a part in who participates in the SSI program. African Americans, other nonwhites, and those of Hispanic origin have a significantly higher inclination to participate in SSI. Being female also increases participation. Those with less than a high school diploma are significantly more likely to participate in SSI. Those who completed at least some college are less likely to participate compared to those who completed only high school, but the difference in participation rates is not as dramatic.The map presented displays the total amount of federal payments as of March 2000. The highest payments, which were over $100,000, were in California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Pen...
