As a matter of fact, retirees with a low Social Security check may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. However, you must meet all the essential requirements.
For your information, you must have little or no money on hand. That is you have no resources or little. When it comes to income, you must have little or no earnings as well.
Which groups of seniors may qualify for SSI if they have a low Social Security check?
Bear in mind that if you meet the income and resources limits, you must be at least 65 years old. Therefore, 65-year-olds with a low income may qualify for SSI payments to supplement their Social Security checks.
If you are in your 60s and you are receiving SSDI payments, you may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. Of course, you may qualify because you are either blind or have a disability, but not for your age if you are under 65.
Some children with a disability may also qualify for SSI, so it is not just for seniors aged at least 65. Apart from income, resources, age or disability requirements, there are other conditions. For example, you must be a U.S. citizen or national.
How much can SSI recipients get if they get Social Security?
Although the maximum benefit for Supplemental Security Income is $943, Social Security recipients may get a reduction. So, they may get an amount closer to the average check worth $698.
For example, the average SSI payment for those aged 65 years old or older is about $575 as of August 2024. If you are aged 18-64 it is about $744 on average. So there is a considerable difference.
Those Supplemental Security Income recipients who are under 18 can get even higher payments. It is about $820 on average. So, if you are 65 years old, you have little money, and cannot make ends meet, apply for SSI as soon as possible,