Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging-

Social Security News! April 2008
 

Social Security Administration
302 Liberty Blvd.
DuBois,  PA  15801

SOCIAL SECURITY'S NEWS!

          You May Be Eligible for SSI

What is SSI?

SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people who do not have much income or own many things.  SSI is for elderly people, as well as blind or disabled people of any age, including children.

To get SSI you must:

  • Be 65 or older, or

  • Be totally or partially blind; or

  • Have a medical condition that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death

How much can you get?

The basic monthly SSI payment for 2008 is the same nationwide. It is:

  • $637 for on person; or

  • $956 for a couple

Not everyone gets the same amount.  You may get more if your live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment.  Or you may get less if you or your family have other income.  Where and with whom you live can determine if you qualify for SSI and make a difference in the amount of your SSI payment.

How do you qualify for SSI?

Your Income

Your income includes the money you earn, your Social Security benefits, your pension and the value of items you get from someone else, such as food and shelter.

Where you live affects the amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI.  Different states have different rules.

Things you own

You may be able to get SSI if your resources (the things you own) are worth no more than $2,000 for a person or $3,000 for a couple.  We do not count everything you own when we decide if you can get SSI.  For example, we do not count your home, and we usually do not count your car.  We do count cash, bank accounts, stocks and bonds.

You must be a U.S. resident

You must live in the United States or Northern Mariana Islands to get SSI.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, but you are a resident, you still may be able to get SSI.

Other Benefits

To get SSI, you also must apply for any other cash benefits you may be able to get.  If you get SSI, you usually can get food stamps and Medicaid, too.  Medicaid helps pay doctor and hospital bills, and food stamps help pay for food.

How do you apply for SSI?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for an appointment with you local office.  You can call between 7am and 7pm, Monday thru Friday.

 

 

DuBois Social Security Office

302 Liberty Blvd

DuBois, PA 15801

General Phone Line: 814-372-1470

8:30 am to 3:30 pm

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