The Social Security Administration sends a new monthly payment every month to all eligible beneficiaries, but there is an extra payment that can reach low-income households in the United States. If this is your situation, you should know that every month you can get a check for around $650 that will make your budget much better.
However, it is true that there are some requirements to take into account, since the Social Security Administration does not send this extra benefit to all beneficiaries, but there are conditions to be met. But if you meet them, every month you will have a little extra money to enjoy a better standard of living. And on top of that, you don’t have to justify what you spend this monthly benefit on.
Requirements for the extra Social Security payment
There are two aspects to take into account regarding the requirements for this extra Social Security payment. On the one hand, the personal situation and, on the other hand, the resources. Although they are not the only requirements to take into account, it is true that these two are fundamental in order to be able to enjoy this benefit.
Thus, to get the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the United States, it is necessary to meet the following requirements:
- Basic eligibility requirements
- Be 65 years of age or older, or be a person with a disability or blind.
- Be a US citizen or qualified legal resident.
- Live in one of the 50 states, Washington D.C. or eligible territories (except Puerto Rico, which generally does not qualify).
- Economic requirements
- Have limited income, including salary, benefits, Social Security benefits and other financial help.
- Have limited resources (cash, bank accounts, property), which in 2024 must not exceed:
- $2,000 for individuals.
- $3,000 for couples.
- Other important factors
- Not be an inpatient in a government-funded institution (such as a prison or state hospital) without personal costs.
- Submit an application to Social Security and provide the required documentation. If you meet these requirements, you can apply for SSI through the Social Security Administration (SSA) online, by phone or at a local office.
Once you apply for the SSI check, you can enjoy up to $967 each month, which is the maximum payment for this benefit. Although this is true, the Social Security Administration sends average payments of $600 to beneficiaries, so it is possible that the amount is around that figure. In any case, there is no minimum SSI payment, so the check can be for many different amounts, as each beneficiary gets an individual, personalized check.
