Information Regarding Supplemental
Security Income (SSI)
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly cash benefit paid by the federal Social Security Administration (SSA)
(exit DHS) and state Department of Health and
Services (DHS) to low-income elderly, blind, and
disabled residents of Wisconsin.
SSI is authorized by Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act
(exit DHS) and
Chapter 49.77 of Wisconsin Statutes
(exit DHS).
Who Administers SSI?
Wisconsin State SSI program benefits are administered by the
Division of Health Care Access and Accountability.
DHS contracts with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) to distribute state SSI payments, maintain recipient eligibility files, and perform an annual eligibility review for SSI beneficiaries who receive only the state benefit.
How Many People are Receiving SSI in Wisconsin?
In 2000, nearly 104,000 people have received SSI in Wisconsin.
Along with the cash benefit of the SSI program, each recipient will participate in Wisconsin Medicaid (Title XIX, Social Security Act)
(exit DHS), a program providing coverage
for medical expenses.
Most recipients in Wisconsin receive two payments each month, one from the federal SSI program and one from the state SSI program.
However, in 2000, about 13,000 SSI recipients in Wisconsin will be paid only state SSI program benefits.
This is due to a provision of state law that permitted state-only eligibility prior to January 1, 1996.
These 13,000
recipients are referred to as "Grandfathered State SSI Recipients."
Who is Eligible?
People in financial need who are 65 or older or people of any age who are blind or disabled may be eligible for monthly cash payments from the federal SSA and from the state
DHS.
Since 1996, new
applicants may receive the state SSI payment only if they qualify for a federal SSI payment.
People may qualify for SSI payments if they have little or no income and if their assets are $2,000 or less for a single person or $3,000 or less for a married couple.
Certain assets do not count, such as your home and car.
How to Apply
People who are interested in applying for SSI must contact the federal Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
The SSA will direct the caller to his or her local Social Security Office and will provide information about the application process.
Benefit Information
If a person qualifies for and receives SSI payments, he or she is automatically qualified to receive Medical Assistance (Medicaid/Title 19).
There may be other benefits a person may qualify
for.
Last Revised: July 24, 2009
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