The Basic Steps to Apply for SSI

You apply for Supplemental Security Income through the Social Security Administration, not through a state or local office. You can start the process in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your nearest Social Security field office. The online application takes about 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return to it later.

Social Security will ask you to prove three things: that you have a medical condition that meets their definition of disability, that your condition has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and that your income and resources fall below the SSI limits. You do not need a lawyer to apply, though you can hire one if you choose. Social Security charges a fee only if you win your case and only from the back pay you receive.

After you submit your application, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services office, which is a separate agency that makes the medical decision. This office will contact you to schedule a consultative exam if they need one. The whole process typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer.

Key Takeaways

  • You apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office; there is no separate SSI application form.
  • Social Security will ask for medical records, work history, and proof of income and resources, so gather these documents before you start.
  • Your state's Disability information Services office, not Social Security itself, decides whether your condition meets the disability standard.
  • The decision process usually takes three to six months, and you can work part-time and still receive SSI as long as your earnings stay below the limit.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with new medical evidence are eventually approved.

What Documents You Need Before You Apply

Gather these items before you start your application. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID), and a list of all your medical providers and the dates you saw them. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can still apply; Social Security will help you get one.

Bring proof of your current income: recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements showing deposits, or a letter from your employer stating your wages. If you receive money from anyone else — family members, a roommate, or a friend — write down those amounts and how often you receive them. Social Security counts this as income in some cases.

List all your resources: bank accounts, savings accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, and property you own. SSI has a resource limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple as of 2024, though this amount can change. Your home and one vehicle do not count toward this limit.

Medical Evidence and the Disability Decision

Social Security does not make the medical decision themselves. After you apply, your case goes to your state's Disability information Services office, which has doctors and disability examiners who review your medical records. They compare your condition to Social Security's list of conditions that automatically may have access to (called the "Listing of Impairments"), or they assess whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.

You do not need to be unable to work at all — you need to be unable to do substantial work. Social Security defines substantial work as earning more than a certain amount per month; in 2024 that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals, though these amounts change yearly. If you earn less than this, you may still may have access to.

Send your medical records to Social Security yourself if you have them. Do not wait for them to request them. Include records from your doctor, hospital visits, mental health treatment, and any tests or imaging. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may schedule a consultative exam with a doctor they choose and pay for. You do not pay for this exam.

Income and Resource Limits for SSI

SSI has strict income and resource limits. Your countable income cannot exceed $943 per month for an individual or $1,415 for a couple as of 2024. These amounts change each year. Countable income includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, pensions, and unearned income like interest or rental payments.

Not all income counts. The first $65 of your monthly earnings plus half of the rest does not count. If you receive food or shelter from someone else for free, Social Security counts part of that as income. If you live in someone else's household and they pay for your food or shelter, you may receive a reduced SSI payment.

Your countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Your home and one vehicle do not count. Money in a bank account counts as a resource. If you are over the resource limit, you must spend down the extra money before Social Security will pay you SSI.

What Happens After You Apply

Social Security sends you a notice telling you they received your application. Keep this notice. Within a few weeks, the Disability information Services office in your state will contact you, usually by phone or mail, to ask for more information or to schedule an exam. Respond to all requests promptly; if you do not respond, Social Security may deny your claim.

The office will send you a decision letter. If they approve you, the letter tells you your monthly payment amount and when payments start. If they deny you, the letter explains why and tells you how to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal.

If you are approved, Social Security will pay you starting the month after you meet all the requirements. Payments go into a bank account you provide. You must report changes in your income, resources, living situation, or work status within 10 days, or Social Security may overpay you and ask for the money back.

Working While Receiving SSI

You can work and still receive SSI, as long as your earnings stay below the substantial work level. In 2024, that is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals. The first $65 of your earnings each month does not count, and Social Security counts only half of the rest. This means you can earn about $1,275 per month and still receive some SSI payment.

Tell Social Security about any work you start. If you do not report your earnings, Social Security will overpay you and you will owe the money back. If you are worried about losing your SSI if you work, ask Social Security about the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A PASS lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without losing SSI.

If your earnings go over the limit, your SSI payment stops, but you keep your Medicaid coverage for at least nine months. This is called Medicaid continuation. After nine months, you may be able to stay on Medicaid by paying a small premium, depending on your state.

What to Do If Social Security Denies Your Claim

If Social Security denies you, you have the right to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file a Request for Reconsideration. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. There is no cost to appeal.

When you appeal, send new medical evidence if you have it. Most people who are denied the first time are approved on appeal if they have new or updated medical records. If the Disability information Services office denies you again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a separate person who reviews your case from scratch.

At a hearing, you can present evidence, answer questions, and have a representative speak for you if you want. Hearings usually happen by video or phone. After the hearing, the judge sends you a written decision. If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and then to federal court, though most people stop after the hearing level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time and still get SSI?

Yes. The first $65 of your monthly earnings does not count, and Social Security counts only half of your earnings above that. In 2024, you can earn up to about $1,275 per month and still receive some SSI payment. Report all work to Social Security within 10 days of starting.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Most decisions come within three to six months. Some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical records or wants to schedule a consultative exam. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to check on your case status after 30 days.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for SSI?

No. You can apply on your own. A lawyer or representative can help, especially if you appeal, but Social Security charges them a fee only if you win and only from your back pay. Many legal aid organizations offer free help to people with low income.

What if I have a job but my boss says I cannot work full-time because of my condition?

Social Security looks at what you can do, not what your boss allows. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working full-time or earning more than the substantial work level, you may still may have access to. Report your actual earnings to Social Security, not what you could earn.

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

It depends on your immigration status. U.S. citizens and certain may have access to immigrants can get SSI. Refugees and asylees can get SSI for seven years from the date they were granted status. Undocumented immigrants cannot get SSI. Ask Social Security about your specific situation.