New Fact Sheet on SSI and Other Benefits for People with Low-Income

Published Monday, May 2, 2022

By Faigy Gilder, NOSSCR

The Social Security Administration (SSA) published a new supplementary fact sheet for disability benefit recipients titled “Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Other Benefits: Information for People with Limited Earnings.”

In it, SSA details other programs and resources for people who receive SSI, including:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for help with food purchases.

• Medicare Savings Programs to help lessen health care costs.

• Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

• Medicaid for health coverage to eligible low-income persons.

When SSA redesigned the Social Security Statement, making it easier to review one’s earnings history and future benefit estimates, several related fact sheets were posted alongside this change. This new SSI fact sheet joins the other fact sheets on the website, which together answer many potential claimant questions when reviewing their Statement.

Signed into law by President Nixon in 1972, SSI protects low-income seniors and people with severe disabilities against the worst effects of poverty. The modest income support gives recipients the ability to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, and pay for needed, often life-sustaining medications.

Disability can strike at any time. As part of our nation’s Social Security system, SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and other safety-net programs play a key role in helping millions of Americans and their families maintain dignity and independence.