SSI Eligibility Criteria

      Supplemental Security Income or most commonly knows as SSI is a monthly stipend provided to some citizens and some lawfully admitted aliens by the United States federal government. The SSI eligibility criteria are stringent.  SSI’s definition of “disability” is the same as that used in Social Security Disability.  It is incumbent of the claimant to prove that he or she is blind, disabled or over the age of 65 with limited income in order to receive money. A disabling condition for Social Security purposes is a condition that prevents someone from performing substantial gainful activity, which is objectively measured at $860.00 gross per month in 2006. The condition must also be expected to last for a period of at least one year or be reasonably expected to lead to death.

      The definition is stricter than definitions commonly used in private disability insurance.  It also is stricter than definitions used in many public employee benefit systems for federal, state or local employees.

Applying for SSI

      SSI is not retroactive, unlike Social Security Disability. Social Security Administration will only pay SSI benefits from the date you filed your application. If you call to make an appointment and you file an application within 60 days of the call, the date of your call might be used as your application filing date. You may call Social Security toll-free to set up a disability interview or visit their website to fill out an online application for benefits. If you call the last day of the month and the interview is set for the second week of the succeeding month, the start of your SSI eligibility will still go back to the month you actually called and set up the appointment. Medical aid benefits will start on the month of your eligibiltiy and SSI payments start one month later.