Elderly individuals or those with disabilities are at a higher risk to lose their home and job, resulting in homelessness. This creates significant barriers to accessing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, there are paths for those eligible to obtain these benefits.
Homeless people can apply for SSI electronically through the use of a public computer. They can also have someone else apply for them. In addition, homeless people do not require a mailing address to receive SSI benefits; they can simply receive these benefits electronically via a bank account or Direct Express program (The Direct Express® card is a debit card you can use to access your benefits and you don’t need a bank account.)
Continue reading below for a detailed guide on how to access SSI benefits as a homeless person.
SSI Criteria and Eligibility
In order to be eligible for SSI benefits, an applicant must fit two criteria:
Medical Criteria for SSI
In order to be eligible for SSI benefits, an applicant needs to have a medically determinable disability that either has or is expected to last 12 months. To prove your diagnosis, the extent of your disability, and its constraints on your employment, you will need to present adequate medical documentation.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) employs a medical reference known as the “Blue Book” to evaluate if a claimant is eligible for benefits. You may be eligible for disability benefits under the medical-vocational allowance program if you have a disabling condition but do not meet the specific criteria of a disability listing.
This program considers your age, level of education, employment history, transferable skills, and medical conditions.
Income and Asset Limits for SSI
You must also have a low income and satisfy a number of strict financial requirements in order to qualify for SSI. You must show documentation that you meet the following income and asset limits:
To qualify for SSI, your monthly earnings must be less than $1,913. Couples and families with children are allowed a higher income threshold. The Social Security Administration takes into account not just income from your job but also any additional income you may have, such as disability payments, unemployment pay, or pension payments.
Applicants for SSI must also have very limited resources. The most common kind of resources are cars and money in bank accounts. The SSI’s resource limits are as follows:
- $2,000 for each individual
- $3,000 for each couple
- These numbers go up by $2,000 if you’re a parent filing for a child.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Barriers for Homeless People
Every year, a significant number of people with disabilities become homeless as a result of multiple factors; including poverty, discrimination, and a shortage of affordable housing options.
The term “chronic homelessness” refers to people with disabilities who are without housing for an extended period of time or frequently.
Someone who is disabled and homeless will face additional difficulties when applying for SSI.
When you apply for SSI, you are required to provide a permanent postal address where you can receive correspondence from the Social Security Administration that refers to your claim. This correspondence may include requests for further details or appointments that the SSA may schedule for you.
You will also require up-to-date medical documentation, and if you are homeless, you may lack the financial resources necessary to receive appropriate medical care. You should still make it a priority to create a medical history for yourself by visiting free clinics or obtaining treatment from facilities that charge patients at a reduced rate.
Help is available when applying for SSI benefits. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration established a program with the goal of facilitating disability benefits for homeless adults and adults with low incomes.
Following the implementation of the program known as SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR), there has been approximately a fifty percent rise in the number of homeless individuals who are approved for disability payments due to mental health conditions.
Can I Get SSI if I am Homeless?
It is possible for an individual who is homeless or who is moving from one place to another (also known as transient) to get SSI benefits and Medicaid coverage as long as all of the fundamental eligibility conditions for the SSI program are met.
According to the Social Security Administration, a “transient” individual is one who does not have a long-term living arrangement or a permanent place of residence.
A transient individual may refer to somebody homeless (sleeping on the street, at a shelter, a park, a bus station, etc.) or someone who moves in with different people every month and doesn’t have a permanent place to call home. People who are part of a household or who live in an “institution” are not considered to be transient by Social Security.
When deciding who is eligible for SSI and how much they will get each month, the program takes into account a wide variety of financial and non-financial resources.
A person receiving Supplemental Security Income is regarded to have “in-kind support and maintenance” (ISM) if they receive assistance with paying for food and/or shelter or are provided free food and/or shelter. It is possible for any or all of the aid that a transient individual receives to be disregarded as income and ISM.
Support and Maintenance Assistance
People who are homeless frequently participate in needs-based programs that charitable nonprofit groups operate in the community.
These programs may provide homeless people with food and/or shelter. It’s common for the state to certify these groups as support and maintenance assistance (SMA) providers.
Some types of SMA may not be counted as income in certain situations. For instance, a local charity might give out food coupons, and a local Mission or Soup Kitchen might serve free meals.
Non-Valuable Shelter or Food
A person who is homeless might get food or shelter that he or she didn’t pay for, but this does not necessarily mean that the food or shelter has any monetary value that would be considered ISMs.
ISMs that have no value include things like discarded food (like when a restaurant tosses away any remaining breakfast items after the morning serving hours have ended) and shelter that has no commercial value (e.g., sleeping in an abandoned building in a public space or a car).
State or Local Aid
Other types of aid that are not included are state or local assistance determined by need such as food stamps, welfare benefits paid for entirely by the state, and medical or social services.
Supplemental Security Income for People Living in Shelters
The SSI program generally does not provide benefits to people who live in public institutions.
However, individuals who are homeless but who are staying in a public emergency shelter for the homeless may be eligible for SSI payments under certain circumstances.
A Public Emergency Shelter for the Homeless (PESH) is a facility or section of a facility operated by the federal government, a state, or a political subdivision of a state primarily aimed at providing emergency shelter, food, and services or treatment to people who are currently experiencing homelessness.
The PESH exemption does not apply in the following cases:
1. Medical facilities are not considered a PESH.
2. A person is not a resident of a PESH if the facility where they live has authority over them. These kinds of facilities include:
- holding facilities, halfway houses, detoxification centers, and similar institutions;
- foster care facilities that take in kids and adults temporarily until a permanent foster home can be found;
- facilities that house people while they wait to be released from an institution and placed in the community;
- and facilities that offer transitional living arrangements as part of an institution’s plan to help a person get to living on their own again
3. If all of the occupants of a facility are subject to the supervision of the criminal system, the facility is penal and not considered a PESH.
A PESH may be a part of such an institution if it provides housing for people who are not employees, are not subject to judicial process, and can leave and return as they wish.
People who are currently residing in a PESH may be eligible for up to six months of SSI benefits within any term of nine months.
The six months don’t need to be consecutive. If a person spends seven consecutive months in a shelter within nine months, they will no longer qualify for the PESH exception.
Risk of Overpayment
It is important to keep in mind that staying in a public emergency shelter for an extended period may have a negative impact on future financial assistance eligibility.
SSI beneficiaries may require assistance in reporting this significant change in living arrangement to the local Social Security Field Office. SSI recipients may also require guidance regarding the number of months of cash payments they will be receiving.
If an SSI recipient remains in a PESH for an excessive amount of time, there is a possibility that the recipient’s SSI benefits will be suspended.
When this information reaches the regional Social Security Field Office, the SSI beneficiary may have already been overpaid and may be required to repay the overpayment.
When agencies help homeless individuals find stable housing, it is important to consider the SSI rules that apply to recipients who live in public emergency shelters.
How to Receive SSI Payments as a Homeless Person
Since the Social Security Administration no longer mails out checks, it’s not necessary to have a fixed address.
The Social Security Administration has begun issuing payments electronically. In other words, you will either need to enroll in the Direct Express debit card program or you will need to have an active bank account in order to receive payments.
If you already have a bank account, then all you need to do is request a direct deposit. You can request this transaction in person at the Social Security Administration office that serves your area.
You also have the option to complete the transaction over the phone by dialing 1-800-772-1213. You can also arrange an online direct deposit.
If you don’t own a bank account, you can still use Direct Express. However, a mailing address is required for participation in the Direct Express service.
This is because your Social Security benefit payments will be deposited onto a debit card that will be mailed to you by the Social Security Administration.
If you don’t have a permanent address, you can use the mailing address of a friend, relative, or church. You can register for the program by dialing 1-877-212-9991 if that is your preferred method. You can also enroll in person at your neighborhood Social Security Administration office.
How to Apply for SSI as a Homeless Person
Securing SSI benefits when experiencing homelessness may initially seem daunting, but assistance is available to guide you through the application process. If you lack a permanent residence, consider these steps to submit your SSI application successfully:
Seek Assistance:
If you’re uncertain about how to navigate the application process, don’t hesitate to seek help. Reach out to individuals or organizations willing to assist you in completing your SSI application. There are supportive resources available to aid homeless individuals in receiving benefits.
Utilize Public Internet Access:
Many public spaces, such as shelters, libraries, churches, and advocacy groups, offer free access to Internet-enabled computers. Visit these locations to fill out your SSI application online. Staff at these places may also provide guidance if needed.
Visit a Social Security Office:
For those in proximity to a Social Security office, consider walking in to make an appointment. The Social Security Administration is committed to providing assistance to everyone, including those experiencing homelessness. Schedule an appointment, and they will guide you through the SSDI application process.
Overcome Communication Barriers:
If access to a computer is a challenge, applying for SSI benefits may require additional effort, but it is still feasible. The primary hurdle is communication. To address this, consider finding someone willing to act as an intermediary on your behalf. This individual can assist in conveying your information accurately during the application process.
Remember that the Social Security Administration is committed to ensuring that no individual faces discrimination, and they are ready to support those without stable housing in navigating the application procedures. By seeking assistance and exploring available resources, you can overcome the challenges of homelessness and successfully apply for SSI benefits.
