How to Apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
SSISupplemental Security Income — Monthly benefits for low-income people who are aged, blind, or disabled — not based on work history.Click for official info ↗ is a safety-net program. It helps people who are 65+, blind, or disabled. You must have very low income and few assets. Unlike SSDISocial Security Disability Insurance — Monthly benefits for people who cannot work due to disability, based on their work history.Click for official info ↗, it does not need a work history. But the money rules are strict. Here is how to apply. It also shows what counts against you.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free to apply
- Total time:
- 1–3 months for aged, 3–6+ months for disability
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- ssa.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 30 min
Check the income and resource limits
In 2026 you can usually qualify if your resources are under $2,000 for one person. For a couple, the limit is $3,000 in total. Resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, and a second vehicle. Your countable income must be under about $1,014/month for one person. This is the $994 federal benefit rate plus the $20 general income exclusion. Your home does not count. One car does not count. Household goods and burial plots do not count. Some immigration statuses qualify. This includes people with 40 work credits and humanitarian entrants. Undocumented immigrants do not qualify.
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- Before You Go 15 min
Decide your basis: age, blindness, or disability
If you are 65+, age alone can qualify you. You do not need medical proof. Decisions are fast. They take weeks. If you are under 65 years old, you must prove disability or blindness. You must meet the same medical proof standard as SSDI. This takes months. If you have a work history, apply for SSDI at the same time. SSA checks for both.
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- Go 20 min
Start the application
You can start online at ssa.gov. Use the starter kit there. But SSI is not fully online, unlike SSDI. You usually finish with a phone interview or an office interview. The interview is at your local Social Security office. Call 800-772-1213 to set it up. Appointments book out 2–4 weeks.
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 hours
Complete the interview and share all your financial details
The claims worker asks about your income. They also ask about your resources and living arrangements. They ask who pays for food/shelter. This affects your payment amount. Help with food or shelter is called "in-kind support". It reduces your payment. Answer fully. If you hide assets and SSA finds them later, you will get overpayments. You must repay them.
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- Wait Weeks to months
Wait for the decision
If you applied based on age, the wait is typically 2–6 weeks. If you applied based on disability, the wait is 3–6 months. Disability cases have the same ~2/3 initial denial rate as SSDI. They also have the same 60-day appeal windows. Keep all your mail. Reply to every request right away.
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- Receive —
Know what approval brings
The 2026 federal maximum is $994/month for an individual. You get less if you have other income. Your state often adds more money. Approval automatically enrolls you in MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ in most states. It may also qualify you for SNAP. Payments arrive on the 1st of each month.
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- Follow Up Ongoing
Report changes — forever
You must report changes. This includes changes in income, resources, living situation, address, or marital status. Report no later than 10 days after the end of the month when the change occurred. SSA will make sure it collects SSI overpayments. Set a calendar reminder. Check your situation with SSA whenever anything changes.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Hiding assets or income in the interview. Answer fully when the claims worker asks about your income, resources, and living arrangements. If you hide assets and SSASocial Security Administration — The agency that issues Social Security numbers/cards and pays retirement, disability (SSDI), and SSI benefits.Click for official info ↗ finds them later, you will get overpayments and you must repay them.
Forgetting the resource limits. In 2026 you can usually qualify if your resources are under $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 in total for a couple. Resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, and a second vehicle. Your home does not count, and one car does not count.
Not reporting changes. Report changes in income, resources, living situation, address, or marital status no later than 10 days after the end of the month when the change occurred.
Assuming SSI needs a work history. SSI does not need a work history. If you have a work history, apply for SSDI at the same time, since SSA checks for both. If you are 65 or older, age alone can qualify you and you do not need medical proof.
Not telling SSA about help with food or shelter. Help with food or shelter is called in-kind support, and it reduces your payment. The interview asks who pays for food and shelter, so answer that part fully.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can immigrants get SSI?
Only certain groups can get SSI. These include lawful permanent residents with 40 work credits. They also include refugees/asylees for the first 7 years, with some exceptions. A few other humanitarian groups qualify too. Your sponsor income usually counts against you. SSA calls this "deemed" income. See SSA's guide for non-citizens.
Does SSI qualify me for food stamps and Medicaid?
In most states, people on SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Most can also get SNAP. In some states, like California, SSI includes a food supplement instead. Check with your state's Medicaid and SNAP offices. Note this change. Since 1 October 2026, federal Medicaid funding no longer covers some SSI recipients. It does not cover people who are not US citizens/nationals, lawful permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or COFA residents. Emergency care is excepted.
Can I own a home and car and still get SSI?
Yes. Your primary home and one vehicle used for transportation do not count toward the resource limit. Bank accounts, second properties, a second car, stocks, and cash do.
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