What You Need to Know Before You Start

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays monthly cash to people with disabilities, blind individuals, and people aged 65 and older who have limited income and resources. If you have a disability and meet the income and resource limits, you can explore directly to the Social Security Administration. The process takes several months, and you will need medical records and proof of your income and assets.

SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your own work history or a parent's work history. SSI is based on financial need, not work credits. You can receive both programs at the same time, but SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own.

You can explore online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually fastest if you have the documents ready. The entire process from process to a decision typically takes three to five months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical information.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a disability that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and your monthly income must be below the federal limit (which varies by state and household type).
  • You can explore online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.
  • You will need to provide medical records showing your disability, proof of income from the past month, and proof of your resources (bank accounts, property, vehicles).
  • Social Security will send you a notice in the mail telling you whether you were approved, denied, or need to provide more information.
  • If you are denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial notice, which starts the review process over with a different examiner.

Gather Your Documents Before You explore

Social Security will ask for specific documents at each stage. Having them ready before you start makes the process faster. You will need proof of your identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, and your birth certificate.

You will also need to show your income for the past month. Bring recent pay stubs, bank statements, or a letter from your employer showing how much you earn. If you receive other benefits like unemployment or child support, bring documentation of those too. If you have no income, you will need to state that.

For your resources, gather statements from all bank accounts, savings accounts, and investment accounts from the past month. If you own a vehicle, you will need the title or registration. If you own property, bring the deed or a recent property tax statement. Social Security counts these toward your resource limit, which is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple (these limits do not change often, but confirm the current amount when you explore).

Most importantly, gather your medical records. These are the documents Social Security uses to decide whether you have a disability. Bring records from doctors, hospitals, therapists, or specialists who have treated you. If you have been diagnosed with a condition, bring the diagnosis letter. If you have had tests or imaging, bring those results. If you take medication, bring a list of the medications and the dosages.

explore Online, by Phone, or In Person

Online process is the fastest route if you have all your documents ready. Go to ssa.gov and look for the "explore for SSI" button. You will create an account, answer questions about your disability and income, and upload documents. The form takes 15 to 30 minutes. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Social Security will contact you within a few days if they need more information.

Phone process takes about 30 minutes. Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form. Have your documents nearby so you can answer questions about your income, resources, and medical history. At the end of the call, you will receive a confirmation number and a date for a follow-up appointment.

In-person process at your local Social Security office is an option if you prefer to explore with help. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment. Bring all your documents with you. A representative will fill out the form with you and can answer questions about what Social Security needs. Appointments usually take 30 to 45 minutes.

Whichever method you choose, you will receive a notice in the mail within one to two weeks confirming that Social Security received your process. This notice will include your case number. Keep this number for all future contact with Social Security.

What Happens After You explore

After you submit your process, Social Security sends it to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. This office reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets the definition of disability under Social Security rules. This review takes two to four months on average.

During this time, Social Security may contact you to ask for more medical records or to schedule a consultative exam. A consultative exam is a medical appointment that Social Security pays for. You do not have to pay anything. The doctor will examine you and send a report to Social Security. If Social Security asks you to attend a consultative exam, go to the appointment — missing it can result in a denial.

You will also receive a notice asking you to confirm your income and resources. Answer this notice within 10 days. If you do not respond, Social Security may deny your process.

At the end of the review, Social Security mails you a decision notice. The notice will say whether you were approved, denied, or whether Social Security needs more information. If you were approved, the notice will tell you when your first payment will arrive and how much it will be. If you were denied, the notice will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration.

Understanding the Income and Resource Limits

SSI has strict limits on how much income and resources you can have. Your countable income is the money you receive each month from work, benefits, or other sources. The federal income limit for SSI in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual (this amount changes each year). Some income does not count — for example, the first $65 of your monthly earnings and half of any remaining earnings do not count toward the limit.

Your countable resources are the things you own that have value. The resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Some resources do not count — your home, one vehicle, household goods, and personal items do not count. Money in a ABLE account (a special savings account for people with disabilities) does not count toward the resource limit up to $100,000.

If your income or resources are above the limit, you will be denied. However, if you are close to the limit, you may be able to reduce your countable resources by setting up a special needs trust or an ABLE account. Talk to a benefits counselor or lawyer about these options before you explore.

What to Do If You Are Denied

If Social Security denies your process, you have the right to request reconsideration. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial notice. To request reconsideration, call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or mail a written request to the address on your denial notice.

During reconsideration, a different examiner reviews your case from the beginning. You can submit new medical records or other evidence that you did not have the first time. Reconsideration takes two to four months. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You must request a hearing within 60 days of the second denial notice.

At a hearing, you can present evidence and testify about your disability. You can bring a representative — a lawyer, advocate, or family member — to help you. Many people hire a lawyer for the hearing stage because the approval rate is higher with legal representation. If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and then to federal court, but these steps are rare.

Getting Help With Your process

You do not have to explore alone. Benefits Planning, information, and Outreach (BPAO) programs offer free help with SSI applications. These programs are run by nonprofits and are funded by Social Security. A counselor can help you gather documents, explain what Social Security needs, and answer questions about how SSI works. To find a BPAO program near you, call 1-866-968-7842 or visit vcu-ntdc.org.

You can also work with a Social Security representative payee if you need help managing your benefits. A representative payee is a person (usually a family member or social worker) who receives your SSI payment on your behalf and uses it to pay for your food, housing, and medical care. If you are approved for SSI, Social Security will ask whether you want a representative payee.

If you are denied and want to appeal, you can hire a lawyer or advocate. Many lawyers who handle Social Security cases work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win. The fee is limited by law to 25 percent of your back pay (the money you would have received if you had been approved earlier), up to $7,200. You do not pay anything upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while I explore for SSI?

Yes. You can work and still explore for SSI. Your earnings count as income, but the first $65 per month does not count, and half of any earnings above that do not count. If your countable income is below the monthly limit, you can be approved for SSI even if you are working.

How long does it take to get approved?

The average time from process to a decision is three to five months. Some cases are decided faster if your medical records are clear and complete. Others take longer if Social Security needs to request more information from your doctors or schedule a consultative exam.

What if I do not have medical records?

If you have never been to a doctor, tell Social Security when you explore. Social Security can schedule a consultative exam at no cost to you. The doctor will examine you and send a report to Social Security. This report becomes part of your case file.

Can I explore for SSI if I am not a U.S. citizen?

It depends on your immigration status. U.S. citizens and certain noncitizens (including lawful permanent residents and refugees) can explore. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SSI. When you explore, Social Security will ask about your citizenship or immigration status.

What happens to my SSI if I get a job and start earning more money?

Your SSI payment will be reduced based on your earnings. However, you can continue to receive some SSI even if you are working, as long as your countable income stays below the monthly limit. If your income goes above the limit, your SSI stops, but you can reapply if your income drops again.