This year marks five decades that the Supplemental Security Income program, known as SSI, has been lending a helping hand to Americans with disabilities who need financial help. The Social Security Administration says, “It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.” Even though it is difficult to obtain SSI benefits and the benefit amounts are meager—actually below the federal poverty level—the SSI program remains a lifeline by providing cash assistance to about 2% of the U.S. population, approximately 7.5 million people with limited income and resources, including nearly 1 million low-income children with disabilities. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine, reducing the number of people in extreme poverty, and alleviating the burden on other family members.
President Richard Nixon signed SSI into law in 1972 and beginning January 1, 1974, the Social Security Administration began issuing SSI payments. Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley remarked that “recently, [the Social Security Administration has] made great progress in strengthening the SSI program by simplifying the rules and helping more people access these benefits. As we celebrate 50 years of SSI, we will continue to look for ways to improve the program and eliminate barriers.”
If you have a disabling condition that prevents you from holding onto a job and you haven’t worked long enough, or recently enough to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) you may be eligible for SSI. For a free evaluation of your disability claim, contact us at Cuddigan Law and if you choose to partner with our law firm, we only get paid when we win your case.
