SSA Expands Outreach For Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") In Spite Of The Fact That Enrollment For Children Is Down When It Comes To SSI

Last month, Kilolo Kijakazi, the Acting Commissioner for the Social Security Administration  ("SSA"),  announced that the Administration was attempting to expand its outreach to those in critical need of financial and medical help by promoting the Supplemental Security Income ("SSI")  program. 

Often referred to as Title XVI benefits, the SSI program is designed to operate as a “needs-based” program.  SSI is for individuals living in severe poverty that are either disabled, or have reached their full retirement age, and have limited economic resources. 

To qualify for SSI, your countable resources cannot exceed more than $2000 as an individual and $3000 as a couple. Owning one automobile, one house, and one wedding ring will not disqualify you for this program. Not only do recipients receive a cash benefit if they qualify for SSI, but you also receive Medicaid, or what we refer to as MediCal, in California. You do not need to have a recent work history to qualify for this program, so disabled children are also eligible for this benefit, but  finances and immigration status can affect eligibility. If you are under the age of 18, parental income also affects eligibility. 

SSA is utilizing a variety of mediums to promote the program, by creating radio and television spots, issuing public service announcements, creating signs, flyers, mailers, and other physical products for distribution.

In spite of this announcement,  National Public Radio ("NPR") presented a segment this week on "All Things Considered" that profiled the drop in SSI beneficiaries among children, due to the harsh financial  requirements one must meet to qualify for the program, as well as the difficulty that people have applying for the program. These access problems are due to SSA's staffing problems and basic incompetence when it comes to processing paperwork in general.  

Will SSA's outreach make a difference to the disabled children who most desperately need access to the program? Only time will tell. 

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 101.