What is SSI?
A Griffin Hammis production tailored for Minnesota.
Have you been wondering what SSI is or who can get it?
I can clear that up for you.
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income.
It's a program that's run by Social Security.
Most people who get SSI also get a low cost health insurance called Medical
Assistance.
If you're eligible for SSI, Social Security gives you money each
month to help you pay for things like food, rent, and utilities.
Oh, so that's what SSI is?
Well, who can get it?
Great question.
If you have a disability, low assets, and low income, you may qualify for SSII.
Do have a disability and I don't have very much money?
Well, you may already be receiving SSI.
If not, you may be eligible.
Let's look at the three requirements for SSI.
First, you have to meet Social Security's
definition of disability.
They have some pretty specific rules for this.
To qualify for SSI, your disability must be severe long term
and limit your ability to work if you're under 18.
Rather than looking at work, Social Security looks at how your
disability limits your daily activities.
I'm pretty sure I meet their definition of disability.
Great.
Let's look at the second requirement.
Your assets must be below $2000 or below $3000 if you're married.
What are assets?
Assets are the things you own, like a house, a bank account, or a car.
But not all your assets count.
For example, if you own the house you live in,
it won't count.
A car to use for transportation doesn't count either.
If you're under 18, some of your parents assets may count.
OK, I think I've got it so far.
What's the third requirement?
The third requirement is that your monthly income must be below the limit,
which in 2026 is $994.00, or below $1491. 00 if you're married.
Well, what exactly is income?
Income is money you get, like a paycheck from work or a Social
Security disability benefit.
But not all your income counts.
For example, if you have wages, Social Security only counts about half of
it.
And if you have unearned income, like a Social Security disability benefit,
they don't count $20. 00 of it after the deductions.
If your monthly income is below $994. 00 per month or $1491.
00 if you're married, you may be eligible for some SSI.
If you're under 18, some of your parents income may count.
Now that I know what the three requirements are,
how can I find out if I'm already getting SSI?
It's easy, just call Social Security at
1-800-772-1213 and ask.
Their TTI number is 1-800-325-0778 or you can log into yourmicssaaccount@ssa.
gov/signin to see what you get.
Great, I'll totally check that out.
If I'm not getting SSI, how do I apply?
You can apply for SSI at a Social Security office by calling 1-800-772-1213
or online at ssa.gov/apply.
You may also be eligible for help with applying from one of Minnesota's Social
Security benefit advocates.
Call the Disability Hub M at 1-866-333-2466 to learn more about this.
Awesome, now I understand what SSI is and who can
get it.
You can learn even more about SSI on mn. db1o1.org.
Read the SSI articles about eligibility and application.
Use the tool called Your SSI Benefit Calculation to estimate if your income is
low enough to receive SSI.
Or get answers to your SSI questions by starting a chat.
Click the chat link at the top or bottom of each page.
And if you'd like to talk to someone about your SSI questions,
call the Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466.
To see more videos like this one, go to mn.db1o1.org.
Knowledge is power.
Take time to learn more about SSI.