Supplemental Security Income in the United States

Social Security Programs Supplemental Security Income

Introduction to Supplemental Security Income

Under the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI), the federal government provides payments to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals with low income. SSI replaced federally subsidized programs of state assistance that existed from 1936 through 1973 for these three groups. The administration of President Richard Nixon implemented SSI in 1972, and the program began in 1974. Funding for SSI comes from general federal revenues, and many states add to SSI benefits from their own revenues.

SSI programs take into consideration the income and resources of individuals and families to determine the amount of aid provided to recipients. Under the Social Security Act, the federal government also provides financial grants to the states to operate programs offering maternal and child health care, services to disabled children, child welfare services, and social services such as daycare for children of working mothers. See also Child Welfare.

The government has relied on SSI to provide a safety net for the working and retired poor-that is, people who have worked, but earned minimal wages or did not work long enough to become vested in the Social Security Old Age or Disability programs. By the end of 2000, some 5.2 million disabled persons, 1.3 million aged persons, and 79,000 blind persons were receiving SSI benefits. The average monthly benefit for all recipients was $379, although benefits varied by eligibility status.” (1)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Refugees

A definition of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), in the context of refugee resettlement and non-emergency repatriation, may be provided here: A federal assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for aged, blind, and disabled persons. SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid.

Resources

See Also

• Refugee Resettlement
• Non-Emergency Repatriation

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Supplemental Security Income in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income/ in State Statute Topics

Introduction to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (State statute topic)

The purpose of Supplemental Security Income/ is to provide a broad appreciation of the Supplemental Security Income/ legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than Supplemental Security Income/).

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Refugees

A definition of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), in the context of refugee resettlement and non-emergency repatriation, may be provided here: A federal assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for aged, blind, and disabled persons. SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid.

Resources

See Also

• Refugee Resettlement
• Non-Emergency Repatriation

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about Supplemental Security Income/ in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.

Supplemental Security Income (ssi) in the International Business Landscape

Definition of Supplemental Security Income (ssi) in the context of U.S. international business and public trade policy: Federal program that assures a minimum monthly income to especially needy people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.