Understanding SSI Home Page / Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overview SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled,
blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways.SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) OVERVIEW
WHAT IS SSI?
HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
- be either a U.S. citizen or national, or a qualified alien;
- reside in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands; and
- not be absent from the U.S. for a full calendar month or 30 or more consecutive days.
HOW IS SSI LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
If you don’t want to wait for your Social Security Statement to be mailed to you, you may sign up to get your Social Security Statement online. You also may be able to estimate your retirement benefit using our online Retirement Estimator.
If you would like to receive your Social Security Statement by mail, please print and complete a "Request For Social Security Statement" (Form SSA-7004) and mail it to the address provided on the form.
You should receive your paper Social Security Statement in the mail in four to six weeks.
If you were unable to create or encountered a problem with your my Social Security account, you may visit a local office or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for help.
December 10, 2010
Statements of Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, and John P. Melville, New York State Police Acting Superintendent, on the Theft of Personal Information in Upstate New York
Retirement Benefits (En español)
Social Security is part of the retirement plan for almost every American worker. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families. This section of our website helps you better understand the program, the application process, and the online tools and resources available to you.
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