January 2001 Article

SSI In California

People in financial need who are age 65 or older or people of any age (including children) who are blind or have a disability may be eligible for monthly cash payments from the federal government. The payments are called Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

You may be eligible for SSI payments if you have little or no income, and if the value of the things you own is less than $2,000 if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. The value of your home is not counted and usually the value of your car doesn't count. Certain other assets may not count as well.

In addition to meeting the income limits, you must live in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands and be in one of the following groups:

U.S. citizens or nationals;
certain American Indians; lawful permanent residents with 40 work credits;
certain noncitizens with a military service connection, and their spouses or unmarried dependent children;
certain noncitizens lawfully residing in the U.S. who are blind or disabled, or who were receiving SSI on August 22, 1996; and certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban/Haitian entrants, refugees, asylees or individuals whose deportation or removal has been withheld may be eligible for seven years after the date their immigration status was granted.

For more information about noncitizen eligibility requirements, read the factsheet, Supplemental Security Income for Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051).

Also, you must apply for any other money benefits for which you may be eligible.

Even though the Social Security Administration runs the program, SSI is not the same as Social Security. Money for SSI payments comes from the generaJune 23, 2007ia adds money to the federal payment. For the convenience of SSI recipients, the state of California and the federal government have agreed to include the amount in the federal payment. Therefore, SSI recipients receive one U.S. government payment during the first week of each month with federal and state money included.

Medical Assistance

If you receive SSI payments, you usually get medical assistance (Medi-Cal) automatically. A separate Medi-Cal application isn't necessary. If you have questions about Medi-Cal, you should contact your local county welfare office.

Food Stamps

SSI recipients in California are not eligible for food stamps because the state includes extra money in the amount it adds to the federal SSI payment instead of issuing food stamps.

However, you may be able to receive food stamps:

while your SSI benefit application is pending;
if your application for SSI benefits is denied; or
if you move to another state.

For more information about food stamps, contact your local county welfare office.

Additional State And County Programs

Additional services and special payments may be available to SSI recipients through their local county welfare offices. These include:

special allowance for assistance dogs for individuals who are blind or have a disability;
in-home supportive services; and
protective services.

For more information on these payments and services, contact your local county welfare office.

SSI Payments

As of January 1, 2001, the maximum monthly payment amount is $717 for an individual and $1273 for a couple. These amounts include both federal and state money. Not all SSI recipients receive the maximum payment amounts. Payments may be lower if you have other income. Your Social Security office can give you more information about payment levels and how income affects them.

Additional state payments may be available to eligible aged or disabled individuals who don't live where they can cook or store food. Also, people who have adequate cooking facilities but are unable to cook for themselves may be eligible for the allowance through in-home supportive services from the county welfare department. Your Social Security office can explain these provisions.

For More Information

Recorded information is available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, by calling Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Service representative are available between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month. Whenever you call, have your Social Security number handy. The deaf or hard of hearing may call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Social Security also has a website at www.ssa.gov.

The people at Social Security can tell you what information you need to apply for SSI. Parents and guardians can apply on behalf of children under age 18 who are blind or have a disability.

Social Security treats all calls confidentially--whether they're made to their toll-free numbers or to one of their local offices.

This information is from SSA Publication No. 05-11125