What Benefits Will I Get?

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How much will I get each month from SSI?

What other benefits will I get?

Can I get SSI if I am getting TAFDC or EAEDC?

Are there emergency SSI benefits that I can get the same day?

How much will I get each month from SSI?

The amount you will get each month depends on:

• your category of eligibility (65 or older, blind, or disabled)
• your family status (single adult, minor child, or member of a couple)
• your living arrangements (living alone or with others, at home or in an institution, percentage of household expenses you pay)
• your income

SSI recipients did not get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010 because consumer prices have gone down, not up. SSI monthly benefits for 2010 are the same level as for 2009.

The maximum SSI payment amounts for Massachusetts individuals and couples in various living situations are shown in the table below. The amount YOU will get equals the maximum payment amount minus your monthly countable income. The higher your countable income, the less you will get from SSI.

Payment categories:

• A - Full cost of living: people living in their own households, including people who rent rooms in rooming houses and people living in public congregate housing
• B - Shared living: people residing in group-care facilities such as halfway houses, emergency shelters, boarding houses, adult family care homes, foster homes, and medical facilities where MassHealth pays no more than 50% of the cost of care
• C - Living in the household of another: people living in someone else's household and receiving support and maintenance from them
• E - Licensed rest home: people living in a rest home that is licensed by Massachusetts and has a provider agreement with the state
• F - Medicaid facility: people living in a medical facility where MassHealth is paying more than 50% of the cost of care
• G - Assisted living: people living in nonpublic assisted living facilities being served by Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC), who are not getting any other state or federal rental assistance

For more information about payment categories, call Social Security’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213.

What other benefits will I get?

In addition to SSI cash assistance, you will get these benefits:

• Health insurance: You will automatically be eligible for MassHealth Standard health care coverage. You do not need to file a separate application.

• Food stamps: SSI recipients generally qualify for food stamps. If you live in a household where everyone is applying for or receiving SSI, you may apply for food stamps at the Social Security office. Otherwise you must apply at DTA.

• SSI Special Benefits: If you have to move, or the things you own are destroyed in a flood or other disaster, you may be eligible for the SSI Special Benefits program. The SSI Special Benefits program is separate from the basic SSI program and is run by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).

  The SSI Special Benefits are:

  • SSI Disaster Benefits: These are benefits available through DTA if an SSI recipient has a loss due to fire, flood or other natural catastrophe. You will receive help for basic furniture expenses, household equipment and supplies, food, and clothing. You should apply at DTA and will need to bring proof of SSI eligibility and proof of disaster (fire or flood report).

  • SSI Moving Expenses: These are benefits available to SSI recipients who need to move as a result of:

    • fire, flood or other natural catastrophe;
    • an eviction or a certification that your building is not fit for living;
    • a move into state or federal housing or into a home for elderly;
    • a move because of an unsafe neighborhood;
    • or a move due to disability.

    SSI recipients will receive $150 for moving expenses. You should apply at the DTA office and you will need to bring proof of SSI eligibility and reason for move (fire or flood reports, unsafe neighborhood, health problems, etc.)

    Note: There is no actual application form to fill out to get SSI Special Benefits. You should write down what you ask for when you go to DTA.

• Burial Expenses: You will receive up to $1,100 for burial expenses for SSI recipients who die as long as the total cost is not greater than $1500 and there are no relatives or friends to pay these expenses.

• Fuel Assistance: SSI recipients are eligible for fuel assistance during the heating season.

Can I get SSI if I am getting TAFDC or EAEDC?

You are not allowed to get SSI while you are getting TAFDC or EAEDC. In general, no one is allowed to get cash assistance from more than one benefit program at the same time. However, some members of your family can get SSI while other members of your family get TAFDC. For example, you might get SSI for yourself, while your children get TAFDC.

Because it takes a long time for the Social Security Administration to decide if you are eligible for SSI, you are allowed to apply for EAEDC cash assistance while you wait. (See EAEDC). If you get EAEDC and then are approved for SSI, you must pay back the EAEDC benefits from your first SSI check. SSI will give you benefits from the date of your application.

Are there emergency SSI benefits that I can get the same day?

If you are having a financial emergency, SSA can issue an "emergency advance payment" or an "immediate payment" the same day. A financial emergency means there is an immediate threat to your health or safety, such as lack of food, shelter, clothing, or medical care.

SSA can make an "emergency advance payment" to new applicants who appear likely to meet all SSI eligibility requirements but have not yet been approved, and who face a financial emergency. If you are approved for SSI, the emergency advance will be deducted from later payments.

If you have already been approved for SSI, but payments have not started or your monthly check did not arrive and you face a financial emergency, SSA can make an "immediate payment" the same day. The local SSA office decides if an emergency exists and if you qualify for an immediate payment.