An earlier post on this blog focused on the difference between Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income. Once Oklahoma residents understand these differences and know which one they should be applying for, the next step is to determine if they even qualify for them. To do that, the eligibility criteria of SSI needs to be outlined.
As mentioned previously, SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration to provide a financial safety net to those who need it and qualify for it. The basic requirements are an age of 65 or above, disabled, blind, American citizenship or legal residency, and limited financial resources.
For SSI eligibility, limited income means $783 monthly for one person or $1175 for a couple. Income is also defined for SSI purposes, though the definition is generally flexible. SSD benefits are even considered income for this purpose. Additionally, not all resources are considered countable for SSI. Assets that can be turned into cash, such as bonds, stocks, property can be considered countable, but the vehicle used for transportation and residential home do not count. Countable resources should not be more than $2000 for one person and $3000 for a couple.
The Social Security Administration evaluates claims on a case-by-case basis and it is possible to qualify for supplemental SSI as well, depending on one’s individual circumstances. Those who require financial assistance should consider consulting an experienced attorney to determine their eligibility and how to gather the correct paperwork to prove their case. Having an accurate application from the beginning can save time and enegry in the long-run.