How to Qualify for SSI & Lump Sum Benefits
SSI is a social assistance program that provides eligible Americans with a cash stipend to help cover their basic living expenses. Short for Supplemental Security Income, the program makes monthly payments, usually on the first of the month, to anyone participating in it. SSI also provides lump sum benefits for the months you qualified for payments after you applied, but prior to being approved.
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Instructions
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Qualifying for SSI and Requesting Lump Sum Benefits
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Meet the eligibility requirements. In order to qualify for SSI, you must be at least 65 years old, legally blind or disabled. Your total resources must not be higher than $2,000 for individuals, or $3,000 for married couples, and your monthly income cannot exceed your state's specific requirements. You must also be a resident of one of the 50 U.S. states; U.S. citizens living abroad do not generally qualify for SSI, unless they are military or enrolled in foreign studies.
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Apply for Supplemental Security Income. If you meet the requirements, you can apply for SSI in a number of ways. The easiest method is via telephone by contacting the SSA at (800) 772-1213 (TTY: (800) 325-0778). You can also apply for SSI by making an appointment to visit your local Social Security office.
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Be accepted into the program. It can take up to a few months before you receive approval, and even longer if you are denied and choose to appeal the decision. Once you are accepted, your SSI benefits become retroactive back to the date of your first application. If you filed a prior application that was previously denied, and your circumstances have not changed since your following application(s), the SSA will grant you back pay starting on the date of your initial application.
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Determine the amount of your potential back pay. The SSA will provide you with a monthly stipend on the first day of the month following your initial acceptance. The amount you receive is the amount you can request in a lump sum for every month back to the date of your initial application. Calculate how many full months lapsed between your first application and your first SSI check, and then multiply the number of months by your total monthly stipend. This is the total amount of your back SSI pay.
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Submit your request for lump sum back-pay benefits. If you did not receive your back pay in a lump sum in your first or second SSI check, you will need to request compensation through the SSA. To do this, contact the office by phone at (800) 772-1213 (TTY: (800) 325-0778) and ask for the request form. A representative may also be able to process your request over the phone, if you have the amount owed to you and the date of your initial application handy when you call.
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Tips & Warnings
If the date of your disability or eligibility due to age is later than the date of your initial application, you will only be able to claim benefits from the date of your injury/eligibility.
