Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Assistance with applying for SSI benefits is provided to clients of the Kern Regional Center free of charge. In order for a client and his or her family to be provided with this service, the client and/or his or her family must first be referred to our office by an employee of the Kern Regional Center.
Please contact Kristhelen Hernandez, SSI Specialist for any questions at 661-873-4976 or [email protected] or [email protected]
Please contact Kristhelen Hernandez, SSI Specialist for any questions at 661-873-4976 or [email protected] or [email protected]
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a program of the federal government that makes payments to people with low income who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability.
Rules for Getting SSI
Income
For the purposes of SSI, "income" is defined as money received such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes things such as food and shelter.
For the purposes of SSI, "resources" is defined as things that are owned by the individual applying for such benefits.
- Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500.00 or less;
- Burial plots the individual may have for him or herself and or his or her immediate family;
- Up to $1,500.00 in burial funds for the individual applying for SSI and up to $1,500.00 in burial funds for his or
her spouse.
Other Rules that Must be Met
In order to receive SSI benefits, the individual applying must meet the following additional criteria:
For more information about applying for SSI, visit the Social Security Administration's website at www.socialsecurity.gov
**The information listed above has been gathered from:
Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05-11000
Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)
August 2012
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a program of the federal government that makes payments to people with low income who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability.
Rules for Getting SSI
Income
For the purposes of SSI, "income" is defined as money received such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes things such as food and shelter.
- Social Security does not count all income when deciding if a person qualifies for SSI
- If the individual applying for SSI is married, a portion of his or her spouse's income and resources is considered.
- If the individual applying for SSI is younger than 18, a portion of his or her parent's income is considered.
- If the individual applying for SSI is disabled but works, Social Security will not count wages he or she uses to pay for items or services that help him or her work.
For the purposes of SSI, "resources" is defined as things that are owned by the individual applying for such benefits.
- Resources that count when applying for SSI include real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds.
- An individual may be able to receive SSI if his or her resources are worth no more than $2,000.00.
- A couple may be able to receive SSI if their resources are worth no more than $3,000.00.
- Social Security will not count the following resources:
- Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500.00 or less;
- Burial plots the individual may have for him or herself and or his or her immediate family;
- Up to $1,500.00 in burial funds for the individual applying for SSI and up to $1,500.00 in burial funds for his or
her spouse.
Other Rules that Must be Met
In order to receive SSI benefits, the individual applying must meet the following additional criteria:
- Live in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands
- Be a U.S. citizen or national.
For more information about applying for SSI, visit the Social Security Administration's website at www.socialsecurity.gov
**The information listed above has been gathered from:
Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05-11000
Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)
August 2012
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