Eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income

Some Dubuque Iowa Social Security disability applicants will not qualify for Social Security disability benefits because they have not worked long enough or recently enough.

These applicants may be able to obtain disability benefits under the federal Supplemental Security Income program, which is a welfare program. In contrast to Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits are paid out of general revenues, not out of the Social Security trust fund. Many states supplement the federal Supplemental Security Income benefit. The amount varies from state to state.

Requirements for SSI

To meet all the requirements to receive Supplemental Security Income, you must:

  • Be “disabled” using the same definition as is used for the Social Security disability program. See our video Will you qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
  • Be a U.S. citizen or fall into the group of limited exceptions to the citizenship rule
  • File an application
  • Meet the income and asset requirements of the Supplemental Security Income program.

Income requirements

The income limit is based on the monthly Supplement Security Income benefit amount. If your monthly countable income is over the Supplemental Security Income benefit amount, you cannot receive benefits. And the more countable income you have, the less your benefit will be.

Several different kinds and amounts of unearned income are not counted and part of your earned income is also not counted under a formula designed to encourage Supplemental Security Income recipients to work.

Asset exclusions

Not counted are a home of any value and one car of any value if it is used for work or to obtain medical care.

Some claimants are eligible for both types of benefits

Claimants may receive both Social Security insurance disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income if the Social Security disability benefits are low enough. However, even when high Social Security disability benefits disqualify a claimant from receiving Supplemental Security Income, he or she still may get Supplemental Security Income during the five-month waiting period after becoming disabled when no Social Security disability benefits are paid, assuming assets and any other income are small enough.

Filing an application

When you make your initial application for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will determine which program you are eligible for or if you are eligible for both.

Assistance from Dubuque Social Security attorneys

If you want our help with your Supplemental Security Income claim, give us a brief description of your situation using the form to the right. Or contact us at:

Law Offices of Thad J. Murphy
Dubuque Iowa Social Security disability lawyers

E-mail us
Phone: 888-256-7413 (toll free)
Fax: 563-583-9103

1635 Associates Drive, Suite 102
(next door to the Dubuque Social Security office)
Dubuque, Iowa 52002

Or by appointment at:
617 Brady Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803