The amount and type of assistance may be obtained will depend upon your marital status, physical condition and other factors; for example, a single person will receive less than a married couple where both have been found eligible. There are also different payment rates for people who live in their own house or apartment, or in board and care homes, for people who live in someone else's household, and for values of support received from others.
To be eligible as a single individual, you may not have cash assets valued at more than $2,000.00. The $2,000.00 limit on cash is applied to certain items that you may own and still be eligible for SSI. The two thousand dollar limit includes the value of savings accounts, checking accounts which your name is no (even if you don't consider that the money belongs to you), cash, stocks, bonds and valuables such as collections or antique furniture: but not everything you own counts as an asset, whole insurance policies are not counted if their total face value on any one person is less than $1,500.00, only the cash surrender value counts. Term insurance policies are not counted as assets. One car is not counted if the retail value of the car is less than $4,500.00. If the car's retail value is more than $4,500.00, only the amount of equity over four thousand five hundred is counted toward the $2,000.00 resource limit. A car is not counted at all if it is used for transportation to a job or to a place for regular treatment of a specific medical problem or if it is especially equipped for a handicapped individual. A home and any adjoining land of any value do not count as long as it is used as your residence. Up to $1,500.00 in burial finds for you and up to $1,500.00 in burial funds for your spouse do not count. Burial plots for you and your immediate family do not count. The Federal government will not place a lien on anything you own.
If you believe that you may be eligible for supplemental security income checks you may telephone the nearest Social Security Office to file an application; or you may call the toll-free number (1-800-772-1213) to get an appointment to file. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call toll-free 1-800-325-0778. You may receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security checks at the same time, if you are eligible for both.
Part of the application process requires that certain documents be included in your file. You may file an application by telephone, but be prepared to submit the originals of whichever of the following documents fit your situation:
— Your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship;
— Current and last month's checking account statements and your savings account book;
— Life insurance policies if the face value of all of your polices total $1,000.00 or more;
— Your car registration slip;
— Proof of any income you have, such as veteran's pension, or other pension of annuity, or pay stubs. If you apply for SSI as a disabled person, the application process will require a list of doctors, hospitals, or clinics where you have received treatment. The full address, telephone numbers, and patient identification numbers, if any, will be needed.
If you receive SSI checks in Tennessee, you are automatically eligible for TennCare, the state's medical assistance program. It is not necessary to apply separately for TennCare if you are eligible for SSI checks.
If you do apply for 551 and are turned down, you have the right to challenge that decision. You have the right to have an attorney or other representative help you in your challenge of that decision. The letter, which you got, that told you that you were turned down would also tell you how to appeal your case. It is very important that you act on your case within the time limits set out in your letter.
If you already receive SSI checks, keep in mind that you will need to notify the nearest social security office if there is a change in your monthly income; if there is a change in your assets- that is, if you have resources which go over the $2,000.00 limit; if you are no longer disabled; if you change your address; if you go to live in the home of someone else; if you go to work; or if you are going to be a hospital patient every day of a calendar month or longer; or if someone moves in or out of your home. Let the Social Security know if someone gives you money, food, clothing or free housing. Also, report if other people help pay for food, utilities, rent or mortgage or of the amount they pay changes. If you used to get help and don't get it now, report that fact to the Social Security office.
There is an allowance for earnings from work, but if you do go to work, you will need to contact the Social Security office to find out how your SSI checks will be affected.
For more information about Supplemental Security Income, call your local Social Security office.
Last updated February 2001
By Mary J. Rutherford
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© Copyright 2001 Tennessee Bar Association