Tri-State disability attorneys explain SSI disability benefits in Ohio and throughout the Tri-State region

Our Ironton, Ohio disability clients seeking Ohio Social Security disability benefits often ask us what is Supplemental Security Income, which is often referred to as SSI. They frequently want to know if they are eligible for both Ohio Social Security insurance disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income, or some combination of the two.

We tell them yes they may be eligible for both Ohio Social Security insurance disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income, or some combination of the two. But, if they qualify for both, they may lose SSI benefits or received a reduced SSI amount, depending on the amount of the Social Security disability benefits. we point out though that if the amount of Social Security disability benefits they receive disqualifies them from receiving SSI, they still may get SSI during the five-month waiting period after becoming disabled when no Social Security disability benefits are paid, assuming assets and any other income are small enough.

What is Supplemental Security Income?

The Supplemental Security Income program is a federal welfare program for the disabled, blind and those over 65. It makes monthly payments to people who have little resources and low income. Many states, including Ohio and Kentucky, supplement the federal SSI benefit. The state of West Virginia does not supplement the federal SSI benefit. The state benefit amount varies from state to state.

Like Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Income is run by the Social Security Administration. However, while SSI benefits are paid out of the Social Security trust fund, Supplemental Security Income disability benefits come from the U.S. Government’s general revenues.

Qualification requirements for Ohio Supplemental Security Income disability benefits

To be eligible for Ohio SSI disability benefits, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be found to be “disabled” using the same definition as is used for the Social Security disability program. For more information, see our video Will you qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
• Meet the SSI program’s income and asset limitation requirements.
• Live in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands, and are a U.S. citizen or fall into the group of limited exceptions to the citizenship rule.

Unlike Social Security disability benefits, there is no “insured” or earnings requirement. Supplemental Security Income is not paid for by Social Security taxes; and the payment of Social Security taxes is not required. However, your income and assets must not exceed the SSI program’s income and asset limitations, which are discussed in greater detail below.

Ohio SSI asset and income limitations

Supplemental Security Income is a needs based program. Unlike Social Security disability where there are no asset limitations, SSI has an asset limitation of $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per couple. Assets include things like real estate, cash, stock and bonds.
The Social Security Administration in Ohio (or elsewhere) doesn’t count everything you own in determining the value of your assets. For example, they don’t count: a home of any value (as long as it is lived in), one car of any value (if it is used for work or to obtain medical care), and life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less.
The SSI income limit is based on the monthly SSI benefit amount after several different kinds and amounts of unearned and earned income are not counted. “Income” is money you receive such as wages, pensions and Social Security benefits, and can also include things like food and shelter. The Social Security Administration doesn’t count income such as the first $20 a month of most income you receive; food stamps; and shelter you receive from a nonprofit organization. The Social Security Administration counts as income things like your spouse’s income. The income amount left after the Social Security Administration has made all of its allowable deductions is referred to as “countable income.”
If your monthly countable income is over the Supplemental Security Income benefit amount, you cannot receive SSI in Ohio. And the more countable income you have, the less your benefit will be. People who receive support and maintenance (such as from a relative) are often eligible for less SSI disability benefits. If you live with a relative, to receive the maximum amount of SSI benefits, you must inform the Social Security Administration that you are paying a reasonable share of your household expenses.

Amount of SSI disability payment

The SSI amount you receive is a federal amount set by Congress plus a state supplement, if any, set by your state. The states of Ohio and Kentucky provide a state supplement while West Virginia does not. Your state supplement amount may vary according to your living arrangements. Your countable income will be subtracted from the federal amount before the state supplement is added. The SSI federal amount is adjusted each year based on changes in cost-of-living.

Waiting period to receive SSI benefits and retroactivity

There is no waiting period to receive SSI disability benefits. Your Ohio SSI payment will begin with the first month after all the SSI requirements are met or when the definition of disability is met, whichever is later.

There is no retroactive effect for an SSI disability application. You will only be eligible for SSI disability benefits beginning the month after your application.

How to apply for Ohio SSI disability benefits

Separate applications are required to apply for each of Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. However, the Social Security Administration in Ohio and nationally will determine when you apply for disability benefits which program you are eligible for or if you are eligible for both.
You apply for Ironton, Ohio SSI disability benefits the same way you apply for Social Security disability benefits:

1. You can complete a large part of your application by visiting the Social Security Administration’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
2. You can call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday) to ask for an appointment with a Social Security representative from the local office. The appointment can be made to apply over the phone or to go to your local Ironton, Ohio Social Security office (or other nearby office) to complete an application in person.

You also may visit an Ohio Social Security Administration office without an appointment, but you may have to wait to speak to a representative.

When you go the SSA office, you should bring

• Your Social Security card or a record of your Social Security number;
• Your birth certificate or other proof of your age;
• The names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that you have been to;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status;
• Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or your lease and landlord’s name;
• Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own; and
• For direct deposit, you also should bring your checkbook or other papers that show your bank, credit union or savings and loan account number so the Social Security Administration can have your benefits deposited directly into your account.

Assistance from Ironton, Ohio disability attorneys

If you want our help with your Ironton, Ohio Social Security disability or SSI claim – or any Kentucky or West Virginia disability claim – please give us a brief description of your situation using the form to the right.