The national government operates a scheme known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to support economically challenged Americans. It is for individuals who have extremely low income and resources. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a free tool to verify eligibility.
But Social Security retirement and disability insurance benefits are not for everyone. If you never worked or contributed to the SSA, you will not be eligible for these benefits. But if you have limited income and resources, you might be eligible for both SSI and Social Security.
Are you eligible for SSI?
To qualify for this federal aid, you must be in one of three categories:
✅ You have to have a serious disability
✅ You have to be blind
✅ You have to be 65 or older
Free SSA Tool to Verify SSI Eligibility
To find out if you are eligible for SSI, you can check by going to the SSA official website:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility
After going to the website:
1️⃣ You need to decide if you are an adult or a child.
2️⃣ If you are requesting for a child, then it must be informed whether the child has 1 parent, 2 or none.
3️⃣ Then you need to provide your earnings information.
4️⃣ You will be requested for details of monthly pre-tax earnings and other non-work income such as pension or unemployment allowance.
5️⃣ Then you need to click on “See Results”.
Who can usually receive SSI payments?

As per the SSA, Supplemental Security Income is given to individuals whose monthly income is within these ranges:
- If your monthly work income is below $2,019
- Or your non-work monthly income is below $988 (pension, unemployment benefits, etc.)
When do the income limits increase?
The SSA also considers whether you’re getting income from another source like:
✅ Pension
✅ Unemployment insurance
✅ Disability benefits
✅ Employment income
The highest income limits might be higher in certain situations:
If you are applying as a married couple
If parents are applying on behalf of their child
Can married couples receive SSI too?
Yes, married couples can receive Supplemental Security Income too, but their combined income and assets will be considered. If they prove to be eligible, they can receive this benefit.
Conclusion
If your monthly earnings are small and you possess very scarce resources, SSA’s free tool will assist you in determining if you are eligible for up to $967 of monthly SSI benefits. Simply go to the SSA website and follow some simple steps and view your eligibility results. This government help can turn out to be a wonderful boon for financially weaker individuals!
FAQs
Q1. Who can qualify for SSI benefits?
SSI is for low-income individuals who are either disabled, blind, or 65 years or older.
Q2. How can I check if I am eligible for SSI?
You can use the free SSA eligibility tool at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility.
Q3. Can I receive SSI if I have never worked?
Yes! Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI does not require work history or previous tax payments.
Q4. How much income can I have and still qualify for SSI?
Generally, you must earn less than $2,019 per month from work or less than $988 from non-work sources.
Q5. Can married couples apply for SSI?
Yes, married couples can qualify, but their combined income and resources will be considered.