As its title signifies, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program of the government was designed to supplement or increase the financial support given to those people with insufficient incomes and maintain them in minimal standard living condition. This has been funded by the U.S. Treasury Department and managed by the Social Security Administration that has the authority to determine the qualifications of the claimants and subsequently approve their petitions.

Usually, SSI benefits are imparted to low income earners who are either 65 years or older, blind, or disabled.

Before filing an application for a SSI benefit, you should first determine how the SSA assesses your qualifications:

Income

The SSA will definitely look at your record of monthly earnings including your employment salaries, other Social Security benefits and pensions received. The SSA also relies on the area where you live. However, they do not consider the following in calculating your income and determining your qualification.

-First $20 of your monthly income received

-First $65 of your monthly income earned from performing your job

-Food stamp

-Housing acquired from private and non-profit associations

-Various home energy aids

If you have an employed spouse, a percentage of his or her income and other resources will be included in the SSA’s assessment. If you are below 18 years of age, they will consider your parent’s and if you happen to be a non-citizen, your sponsor’s.

Meanwhile, the SSA does not count the monthly earnings acquired by the disabled or blind people from their jobs if they are to use it in buying items and services they need to perform their duties.

Resources

Your assets, such as your real properties, cash, stocks, bank deposits and bonds, are included in the SSA’s determination of your entitlement. The assessed amount of your resources should not exceed $2,000 if you are single and $3,000 if you are married. Yet, they do not count the following resources in determining your qualification:

-Your house and piece of land where you are living

-Life insurance coverage not in excess of $1,500

-Vehicle

-Burial plans

On the other hand, filing an application for Supplemental Security Benefit may be done on your own but the problem is, it would be very risky especially if you do not a complete understanding about the terms and conditions of the SSA along with the capacity to defend your case. Thus, it would surely be beneficial for you to seek the assistance of an experienced Social Security attorney or representative to boost your chances of having a successful result.