When it comes to available federal programs, there are many options, and each option can assist in its own way. As an example, if you receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you can only use the funds that are put on the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. You can use these funds to purchase eligible groceries and food.

We want to highlight two options that can assist Americans that need it. These programs are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). With these two programs, people can receive a lot of support and may have an easier time qualifying than they expect. You might be able to gain from one of these options and not even know it!

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Definition

SSI is an assistance option provided by the federal government. The United States Treasury funds this program through general funds, however, the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is the agency that is responsible for the program’s management. This program is established to assist seniors or people with disabilities as long as they have low-income or restricted resources. The program helps recipients through cash assistance which allows recipients to use these funds on basic needs that include food, housing, clothes, and so on.

Who Meets The Eligibility Requirements?

Unfortunately, not everyone will be eligible for this assistance option. Rather, only people that have eligible citizenship status and have restricted resources/income that meet at least one of the following requirements may be eligible:

• Have an eligible disability
• Be at least age 65
• Be blind

Other requirements can influence your eligibility such as your marital status or certain people in your home.

Applying for SSI: How To Do It

If you are interested in applying for the SSI program, you should look through the eligibility requirements before you begin your application. You can look through the eligibility requirements online. You can also contact the SSA for anything you want to ask about through a phone call at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you have trouble hearing or are deaf).

Once you verify the eligibility requirements, you can apply in several ways. This includes online, on the phone, or in person. It is important to remember that you might not be able to apply all of these methods. Your area might have a different process compared to another area. A good rule of thumb is to apply as early as possible since applications for the SSI are free!

If you are interested in applying through the phone, you can call the number mentioned above at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you have a problem with your hearing or are deaf). Also, you can schedule a telephone appointment with a representative at your local Social Security office. Finally, if you are interested in applying through an in-person appointment, then you can reach out to your local Social Security office.

Important Information You Need For Your Application

When you are going through the application process, you will likely need to offer information. Some information that you will need to offer includes:

• Personal details such as your name and social security number
• Your birthday
• The mailing address and phone number of the person who wants to receive SSI

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): What Is It?

SSDI offers benefits to people and their qualifying family members if they are insured. To be insured, a person should have worked long enough and recently enough. They also need to have paid Social Security taxes on what their wages were. They also need to have an eligible disability!

The Application Process for SSDI

If you are interested in benefiting from the SSDI program, you will need to apply. You have the option to apply in several ways including online, on the phone, or in person. Typically, the disability benefits application process will look something like this:

1. Gather all the information and documents to apply. You can make sure that you have the right documents through the Adult Disability Checklist. You can also verify with your local Social Security office.
2. Once you gather the information, you can finish your application since the applications are free!
3. The SSA will look through your application to decide if you are eligible. This includes meeting eligibility requirements, checking your employment history, looking through work, and current activities, and more.
4. Once the Program processes your application, it will go to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
5. Finally, your state agency will make the disability determination to figure out if you are eligible.

You can check the status of your application through your “my Social Security account” on the website.  If you are having trouble looking through your application’s status online, you can also contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the program makes a decision that you disagree with, you have the right to appeal. However, you need to write the appeal within 60 days of getting your decision.

Important Information for Your Application

When you are working on your application, you will want to be prepared to present information. This includes personal information, medical conditions, and employment information. When it comes to personal information, you can present offer details such as:

• Your birth date and Social Security number
• Names and birth information of children that are younger than the age 18
• Financial data
• Spousal personal information such as their date of birth, marital information, etc

When it comes to your medical condition, you need to present details such as:

• Personal information of an individual that knows about your medical condition.
• Detailed medical condition information such as your doctor’s name, medications, medical procedure dates, and so on.

Finally, when it comes to the employment information that you need to present, you will need to offer details such as:

• How much you earned in the current and previous year
• Personal information such as the name and address of all of your superiors or employers from the past two years
• A list that consists of the employment dates for up to five jobs that you have worked in the past 15 years before you could not work
• Information about workers’ compensation or other similar benefits that have been filed (or information on cases that you plan on filing)

Americans Can Get Checks Worth $3,345: Who Could Receive Them?

The maximum amount that the SSDI benefits can offer is $3,345 per month in 2022. There are very few people who can get the maximum SSDI amount, though. Most of the time, individuals generally get benefits that are closer to the average amount. The average SSDI benefit is $1,358. If you are interested in receiving the maximum amount, you should contact your local Social Security office. They will be able to answer all of your questions!

The Final Verdict

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a wide range of assistance options available to help people who need it. Two of these programs are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Each of these programs offers support to eligible individuals. The details of this program such as whom they help and how much they can help recipients will differ. In 2022, some Americans could receive checks worth $3,345 a month which is the maximum SSDI benefit, though very few people can get that amount. Most Americans can get the average amount, which is $1,358. If you have any questions, call your local Social Security office and they will take good care of you!