Eligibility Requirements For Obtaining Social Security SSI Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates a program for disability benefits for US nationals or citizens or certain categories of aliens who are either 65 years old or blind or disabled, and financially needy. It is known as the Social Security SSI (Supplemental Security Income) program. The eligibility requirements for such an individual to receive SSI benefits include the following.
Such an individual needs to be resident in one of the 50 US States or in the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. He/she must not have been absent from the US for a full calendar month or more than 30 days consecutively. He/she must permit SSA to contact any financial institution to obtain his/her personal financial records from them.
If you are blind, the vision acuity needs to be 20/200 or less in your better eye with best correction. Alternatively, the limitation in the field of vision of your better eye is such that your visual field widest diameter subtends is no greater than 20 degrees. Even if your vision impairment does not completely satisfy the above requirements towards blindness, you can still meet the eligibility requirements if you meet certain other disability requirements.
Disability related eligibility requirement for adults (who are at least 18 years old) to obtain SSI benefits refers to a physical or mental impairment, which results in an inability to perform any substantial gainful activity. The impairment needs to last continuously for at least twelve months or is expected to result in death. Disability related eligibility requirement for children under the age of 18 years to obtain SSI benefits refers to a physical or mental impairment, which results in marked and severe functional limitations. Moreover such impairment must last continuously for at least twelve months or is expected to result in death. Income related limitation eligibility requirements include income from work, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and workers compensation. It also includes income from relatives and friends and that from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also includes free food and shelter. Resources related eligibility requirements include cash, land, bank accounts, stocks, and US savings bonds. They also include life insurance, vehicles, personal property, and anything else that can be converted to cash. They also include anything that can be used for food and shelter. Total resource limits for an individual are $2,000 and those for a couple are $3,000. If you sell a resource for less than its true worth to reduce your total resource level below the SSI resource limit, you will become disqualified for up to 36 months. Withholding your income from SSA will also disqualify you from obtaining SSI benefits. SSA's program on Social Security SSI benefits provides a supplemental income for the sustenance of the above eligible individuals. This is in view of their difficult health circumstances and their meager income.
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