SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Social Security Act of 1935, Title XVI, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 1381-1383f.

OBJECTIVES:

To ensure a minimum level of income to persons who have attained age 65 or are blind or disabled, and whose income and resources are below specified levels.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use;  Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Supplemental security income payments are made to persons who have attained age 65 or who are blind or disabled. Generally, there are no restrictions on the use of benefits received by beneficiaries, although the right to future benefits is not transferable or assignable. The Federal government gives the States funds, in advance or by way of reimbursement, for necessary costs in making disability determinations under 20 CFR 404 subparts P and Q and part 416 subparts I and J. Necessary costs are direct as well as indirect costs as defined in 41 CFR 1-15, subpart 1-15.7 of the Federal Procurement Regulations System for costs incurred before April 1, 1984; and 48 CFR 31, subpart 31.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System and Federal Management Circular No. A-74-4 as amended or superseded for costs incurred after March 31, 1984.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   The eligibility of an individual who has attained age 65 or who is blind or disabled is determined on the basis of an assessment of the individual's monthly income and resources, citizenship or alien status, and U.S. residency. In determining a month's income, the first $20 of Social Security or other income is not counted. An additional $65 of earned income ($85 if the person had no unearned income) received in a month plus one-half of the remainder above $65 (or $85) also is not counted. If, after these (and certain other) exclusions, an individual's countable income, effective January 2000, is less than $512 per month ($769 for a couple, both of whom are aged, blind or disabled) and countable resources are less than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple), the individual is eligible for payments. The values of household goods, personal effects, an automobile, life insurance, and property needed for self support are, if within limits set out in regulations, excluded in determining value of resources. Burial spaces for an individual and immediate family and burial funds, up to $1,500 each for an individual and spouse, are excluded from resources. The value of a home is also excluded in resource valuation.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Individuals who have attained age 65 or are blind or disabled, who continue to meet the income and resources tests, citizenship/qualified alien status and U.S. residence requirements. Eligibility may continue for beneficiaries who engage in substantial gainful activity despite disabling physical or mental impairments.

Credentials/Documentation:   Proof of age, marital status, income and resources, establishment of blindness or disability, proof of residence in the U.S. and citizenship, or alien status is required.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Telephone or visit the local Social Security Office.

Award Procedure:   The individual (and representative payee, if any,) will be notified by mail of award or denial.

Deadlines:   None. Benefits are not paid prior to the month following the month of application. However, an emergency advance payment may be available in the month of filing the application.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   Telephone or visit the local Social Security Office. The appeal process ranges from a district office conference review to a review by the Federal Courts. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date on which a written notice of unfavorable decision is received by the applicant.

Renewals:   A redetermination of a person's benefit amount and continuing eligibility will be made on a scheduled basis at periodic intervals. Unscheduled redeterminations are made when changes in circumstances are reported. The length of time between scheduled redetermination varies depending on the likelihood that the beneficiary's situation may change in a way that affects payment amount or eligibility.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula. Some mandatory State supplements are required by supplemental security income law to maintain former State recipients' December 1973 payment levels at pre-supplemental security income levels, increased by cost-of-living adjustments, where such payments were higher than the initial supplemental security income standards. States also have the option of paying supplements. The Social Security Administration will administer for a fee under agreements with States both mandatory and optional State supplements. States paying supplements are required by supplemental security income law to maintain either their State supplement expenditures or their payment levels when Federal standards are increased.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Benefits are paid monthly. Accrued benefits are paid in a lump sum unless they exceed a specified amount in which case they are paid in up to three installments at 6 month intervals.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Any change of address or any event affecting eligibility or benefit amount (such as an increase in resources or income or improvement of disabling condition) must be reported to the Social Security Administration when the event occurs.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-0406-0-1-609.

Obligations:   (Benefit Payments) FY 99 $28,117,000,000; FY 00 est $29,189,000,000; and FY 01 est $30,483,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Monthly Federal cash payments range from $1 to $512 for an aged, blind, or disabled individual who does not have an eligible spouse, and from $1 to $769 for an aged, blind, or disabled individual and an eligible spouse. These rates became effective January 2000. The estimated average Federal monthly benefit for fiscal year 1999 is $368. The estimated average Federal monthly benefit for fiscal year 2000 is $378.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, an average of 6,604,200 persons per month were Federal Supplemental Security Income recipients. It is estimated that in fiscal year 2000, an average of 6,367,000 recipients will receive monthly cash benefits. During fiscal year 2001, the average number receiving payments is estimated to be 6,441,000 per month. Not included are those persons who receive only State supplementary payments, some of which are administered by the Social Security Administration for the States as part of the SSI program.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Parts 401, 416, and 422. "SSI for Aged, Blind, and Disabled People" and other publications are available from any Social Security Office without charge. The Social Security internet address is www.ssa.gov and it includes copies of all disability-related laws, regulations, rulings, and free publications, as well as other information about Social Security programs.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: