There are enough acronyms in regards to Social Security to confuse the best of us. It’s pretty easy to understand why so many people get a dazed and confused expression when you start discussing SSI, SSDI, Social Security retirement benefits, etc. The confusion between Medicaid and Medicare is similar, and equally understandable.
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income differs from your regular Social Security Retirement benefits because it does not have an age qualifier set to it. SSI is based on the level of disability. If you are disabled to the point that you cannot earn income, and thus support life’s most basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing, the Social Security Administration will provide a cash payment on a monthly basis to help cover these expenses.
Assets also play a role in SSI. To qualify for SSI benefits, you cannot have assets with a value of over $2,000 for a single person, or $3,000 for a couple.
Also, should your condition improve, you may lose your access to SSI. If your disability is not typically one that is permanent, you can expect fairly regular reviews of your case to determine if you can return to the workforce.
As of January 1st, 2012, the federal benefit rate is $698 for an individual, and $1,048 for a couple. Some states also add in a state supplement to the SSI payment. In Ohio, the SSI recipient must be living in a community or residential care facility to qualify for the supplement, which ranges between $306 to $606 per month, depending on the type of facility the patient resides in.
