What does SSI stand for? In the United States, SSI is Supplemental Security Income, a federal program that pays a monthly benefit to people with very limited income and savings who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children with disabilities can qualify too, based on their household's income.
The Social Security Administration runs SSI, which is why people often mix it up with regular Social Security. The difference is where the money comes from and who can get it. SSI is paid from general tax revenue and is based on financial need, not on a person's work history.
Quick facts
Stands for
Supplemental Security IncomeType
Initialism, said S S IRun by
The Social Security AdministrationWho it helps
People 65 or older, blind or disabled, with limited income and resourcesPaid from
General US Treasury funds, not Social Security payroll taxesStarted paying
1974Not to be confused with
SSDI, Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI stands for three words, here is what each means
- Supplemental: it adds to, or supplements, whatever small income a person already has.
- Security: it is meant to cover basic needs like food and shelter.
- Income: it arrives as a regular monthly payment.
The program replaced older state run aid for older, blind and disabled adults with a single national program. It is one of many federal short forms you can browse in the government acronyms hub.
Who can get SSI
To qualify, a person generally must meet all of these:
- Age or disability: be 65 or older, or be blind, or have a disability that meets Social Security's rules.
- Low income: have little income from work, other benefits or support from others.
- Limited resources: own few countable assets, such as cash and bank savings. A home you live in and usually one car do not count.
- Residency and status: live in the United States and be a citizen or a qualifying noncitizen.
The exact dollar limits change over time, so check the current figures with the agency. In most states, people who get SSI can also get Medicaid health coverage, and many states add their own payment on top of the federal amount.
SSI vs SSDI
This is the most common mix-up, because both pay people with disabilities and both come from the same agency.
| Question | SSI | SSDI |
|---|---|---|
| What is it based on? | Financial need | Past work and payroll taxes paid |
| Need a work history? | No | Yes, enough work credits |
| Who qualifies? | Older, blind or disabled people with low income and assets | Disabled workers and some family members |
| Funded by | General tax revenue | Social Security trust funds |
| Health coverage often linked | Medicaid | Medicare, after a waiting period |
Some people get both at once, when their SSDI benefit is small enough to leave them eligible for SSI.
What does SSI stand for on letters and forms?
Mail from the agency, bank deposits and benefit forms all use the short form.
On a bank statement: a direct deposit from the US Treasury tagged as a Social Security payment, on the first of the month. For someone on SSI, that entry is their Supplemental Security Income. SSI usually arrives on the first day of the month, or earlier if the first falls on a weekend or holiday.
On a rental or loan form that asks for "income sources," SSI goes in that list alongside wages or other benefits. Food help programs such as SNAP also ask about it, and an EBT card is separate from the SSI payment itself.
Other SSI meanings
| Field | Stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | Surgical site infection | "The unit tracks SSI rates after hip surgery." |
| Web development | Server side includes | "The footer loads through an SSI directive." |
On anything about money, benefits or disability, the letters mean Supplemental Security Income. Say it letter by letter, "S S I," and write "an SSI payment," because the letter S is spoken "ess," opening with a vowel. The acronym vs abbreviation guide explains that rule.
Questions people ask
What does SSI stand for in Social Security?
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. It is a need based program that the Social Security Administration runs, separate from retirement and disability insurance benefits.
Is SSI the same as Social Security?
No. Regular Social Security benefits depend on your work record and payroll taxes. SSI depends on financial need and is paid from general tax funds.
Can children get SSI?
Yes. A child with a qualifying disability can get SSI if the family's income and resources are low enough. The parents' income is counted in the review.
When is SSI paid each month?
It is usually paid on the first of the month. When the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment comes on the business day before.
Do you say SSI as a word?
No. Everyone reads it out as S S I, which makes it an initialism.