The Social Security Administration (SSA) wants more Americans to know about the benefits and eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The Social Security Administration says “SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.”
In a press release, Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency wants to reach more people who are in critical need of financial help and especially to help underserved communities which face many challenges. Social Security says they have “used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.”
“People with limited income and financial resources, and with access to the internet, should visit www.ssa.gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility and request an appointment to apply for benefits. People without access to the internet can call Social Security’s National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.”
In the coming months Social Security will be using radio and television ads, mailers, bus shelter and other large signs, and flyers to get the word out about SSI.
In addition to its outreach program, the Social Security Administration is considering a new rule which would benefit those receiving Supplemental Security Income payments. The rule change would revise how the SSA looks at in-kind support and maintenance and allow family or friends to offer those with disabilities and financial need some basic help with meals and groceries. (For more on this rule revision read our blog post “A Big Change May be Coming to Help Americans with Disabilities”.)
