Supplemental Security Income

About SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

• SSI benefits may be available for disabled persons who are financially needy. The maximum SSI benefit in 2008 is $637.00 per month for an eligible individual; $956.00 per month for an eligible couple. Benefits may be reduced where there are other sources of income to the disabled person. Additionally, a Claimant must be resource eligible. This usually means that the applicant has less than $2,000.00 ($3,000.00 if married) in resources (e.g., savings, cash, assets which can be turned into cash, etc.). An exemption is made for the person's residence and, to an extent, an automobile.

•  Most SSI recipients are eligible for Medicaid through their home State.

About SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVORS BENEFITS

•  When a person dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits if the deceased worked, paid Social Security taxes, and earned enough credits.  The amount of the survivor benefits is based on the earnings of the person who died.  The more he or she paid into Social Security, the higher the benefits will be.