The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is run by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). It extends financial benefits to children and adults who have limited assets and income. Individuals who are disabled must have a financial need and meet additional criteria if they want to qualify to receive benefits.
An individual must be either a U.S. citizen or legal resident to be eligible to apply for SSI benefits. An applicant should also live within the borders of one of the country’s 50 states, in the Northern Mariana Islands or District of Columbia. There are some exceptions to this rule though. A student who is temporarily living abroad may apply for benefits. A service member’s child may be eligible for them if their parent is on active duty abroad as well.
Anyone who can demonstrate that they meet the above-referenced criteria and that they have limited financial resources may qualify for SSI benefits provided that they are disabled, blind or age 65 or older.
The SSA will generally take into account a variety of factors including how much money is in your bank account, how much in monthly income you pull in and your marital status in determining if and how much in SSI benefits to award you.
One of the most basic ways for you to find out if you meet the criteria to receive SSI is to complete the SSA’s questionnaire called the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. That tool will aid you in determining what type of federal aid, if any, that you may be eligible to receive here in Mobile. An attorney can help you get the financial and medical benefits you deserve if you’re an Alabama resident that’s suffering from a disability.