Program Overview

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has been set up by the state of Alaska for the disabled, blind, or elderly. It aims to help those who are unable to work and therefore, cannot afford to live on their own. This means that the absence of any source of income or very limited resources can make you eligible. The federal government hopes to help these people through monthly cash payments. These payments are used by the eligible applicants to pay for their basic needs.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Alaska Division of Public Assistance (DPA) look at your income when they decide whether you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs the Supplemental Security Income program. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a vested interest in helping disabled beneficiaries and recipients return to or enter the world of work.

Eligibility Criteria

If you become disabled and live in Alaska, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSA and DPA calculate that you should be spending some of it on your basic needs. The part of your monthly income that they expect you to spend on basic needs is called your countable income. If your countable income is below certain levels, you may qualify for Medicaid coverage, APA payments, and SSI payments.

SSI benefits can be availed by three groups of people who can be categorized as follows:

• People above the age of 18 but below the age of 65. They must have disabilities and limited income or resources.
• People who are 65 years old or older, and have a limited income as well as resources.
• Qualifying children and youth who are under the age limit of 18. They are with disabilities. However, the definition of disability for this age group is different and must be looked into.

SSI benefits are not only for those who have not worked at all. You simply have to meet the description of the three categories specified above. If you belong to one of the three groups mentioned then it is important for you to:

• Meet the requirements of both citizenship and residency
• Meet the limits of income and resources as set by this program
• Be unable to work due to the disability you have

SSI benefits can only be availed by those people who cannot work due to their disability. This is to make sure that the most deserving individuals receive the help they need. Therefore, Social Security is also very specific about the rules regarding a disability. They have outlined what can be defined as a disability and what cannot be. This definition is used by them for all their benefit programs. To ensure fair treatment, Social Security has also outlined what is counted as work by them. They use the term of Substantial Gainful Activity which is also known as SGA. This helps them to describe a level of work activity or earnings.

Thus, as Social Security aims to help the most deserving applicants, it takes on an in-depth look. This means that the agency asks a series of questions at the time of application. The goal of these questions is to find out whether or not your disability prevents you from working.

To meet the resource requirement of the program, you must list the money and property you own. This is to find out whether you have any assets that can be sold off to support you. Social Security instills self-sufficiency in this manner before providing you with the benefits. Similarly, SSI benefits are only for a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien.

Not all of your income is counted by the SSI and APA programs. Here’s how they look at your earned and unearned income:

• Earned income is money you get from work you do, including salaries, wages, tips, bonuses, professional fees, or other compensation you get in exchange for physical or mental work.
  • Only about half of your earned income is counted.
• Unearned income is money you get in any other way, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); short- or long-term disability insurance; VA benefits; Workers’ Compensation; and income, dividends, or profits from a trust or

How to Apply

If you’re not already getting SSI or APA benefits, pay for your food and shelter, and are not married, try the following tool to see how much your benefits might be. Learn more about how your living situation can affect your benefits.

Application questions that candidates must expect when considering SSI include:

• Basic facts e.g. name, date of birth, etc.
• Documentation of your medical condition
• Documentation of your income
• Documentation of your assets

The application process is known to take some time, usually up to 4 months. For urgent help, the county social services agency can be contacted.

For Further Information

For more information, phone call (510-225-6400).