Supplemental Security Income | What is SSI?

Many disabled people depend on government benefits in order to meet their basic needs each month. In some cases, government benefits may be the only source of income that a person has. The United States government has two main assistance programs to help disabled persons: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Applying for disability benefits is the first step in ensuring that your financial needs are met, but, unfortunately, the process can often be extremely complicated, confusing, and discouraging. Applicants for these government benefits may wait months for their benefits to be approved due to Social Security Administration (SSA) backlogs and staffing issues, or paperwork that is incomplete or contains errors. Fortunately, in many cases, an attorney who knows the disability claim process can help applicants navigate the system much more efficiently.

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What are SSI Benefits?

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits.

SSI benefits are not based on a person’s work history. It is based upon meeting the SSA’s definition of disability combined with financial need. There are asset limits - $2000 for individuals and $3000 for couples. If the benefit is for a minor child, SSA will attribute a portion of the parental income to the child; this is called deeming. To determine if you meet the financial criteria for SSI you should contact your local Social Security office.

The amount of the federal SSI benefit generally changes each year and is tied to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which is announced annually. The most recent COLA adjustment is 2.5% (2025). The maximum benefit rate in 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a family. In addition, some states, including Michigan, pay a supplement to people who are receiving SSI benefits.

The process of being found disabled under the SSI program can be complicated and frustrating to navigate on your own. The assistance of an attorney can help.