SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people in need. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as for blind or disabled people of any age, including children.
To qualify you also must have little or no income and few resources. This means that the value of the things you own must be less than $2,000 if you are single or less than $3,000 if you are married. The value of your home does not count if you live in it. Usually, the value of your car does not count. And the value of certain other resources, such as a burial plot, may not count either.
To receive SSI, you also must apply for any other cash benefits you may be able to get.
You must live in the United States or Northern Mariana Islands to receive SSI. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but you are lawfully residing in the United States, you still may be able to receive SSI. For more information, ask for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051).
The state of California adds money to the federal payment. The single payment you get in the beginning of each month includes both the federal SSI payment and your supplement from California.
If you receive SSI, you usually can get medical assistance (Medi-Cal) automatically. A separate Medi-Cal application is not necessary. If you have questions about Medi-Cal, contact your local county welfare office.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
People who receive SSI in California cannot get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps because the state adds money to the federal SSI payment instead.
However, you may be able to get SNAP.
- While you are waiting for a decision on your SSI application
- If your application for SSI is denied; or
- If you move to another state.
For more information, contact your local county welfare office.
Other services you may be able to get through your local county welfare office include:
- A special allowance for assistance dogs for people who are blind or have a disability;
- Certain domestic and personal care services are provided to eligible aged, blind, and disabled persons who cannot perform the services themselves and who cannot safely remain in their own homes unless such services are provided; and
- Protective services
For more information, contact your local county welfare office.
The amounts include both federal and state payments combined. Not all SSI recipients receive the maximum amount. Your payment may be lower if you have other income.
| Category | 2012 Total Monthly Payment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Single people | Aged | Disabled | Blind |
| Independent living status | $854.40 | $854.40 | $909.40 |
| Non-medical out-of-home care | $1,110.00 | $1,110.00 | $1,110.00 |
| Independent living status, no cooking facilities | $938.40 | $938.40 | $698.00 |
| Living in the household of someone else | $625.17 | $625.17 | $680.17 |
| Disabled minor child | $761.40 | ||
| Disabled minor child in the household of another | $532.17 | ||
| Aged person and disabled spouse | |||
| Independent living status | $1,444.20 | ||
| Non-medical out-of-home care | $2,220.00 | ||
| Independent living status, no cooking facilities | $1,612.20 | ||
| Living in the household of someone else | $1,100.00 | ||
| Blind couples | |||
| Independent living status | $1,591.20 | ||
| Living in the household of someone else | $1,247.00 | ||
| Blind person with an aged or disabled spouse | |||
| Independent living status | $1,535.20 | ||
| Living in the household of someone else | $1,191.00 | ||
Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.
In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.
