S-S-I is short for supplemental security income. It's available to those with a disability, who have a financial need. To qualify for S-S-I benefits, you must meet the same medical requirements as for social security disability. Both programs use the same standards to determine if you have a disability. However, S-S-I is not dependent upon your work record. Instead, you must meet certain conditions, such as having limited income, and few resources. In general, a single person can own $2,000 worth of items other than their home and the lot it's on. A couple is allowed $3,000 worth of goods. However, many things don't count towards your S-S-I limit: your furniture, personal property and car may not count, depending on how much they're worth. However, stocks, bonds, and all bank accounts do figure in to the limit. If you receive cash, groceries, free rent or other gifts, these can also affect your eligibility for S-S-I benefits. To find out more about what's allowed, and if you might qualify for S-S-I, contact the social security office. You may call their toll-free number, at 1-800-772-1213. Or, visit their website, at www.ssa.gov.
