The Payson Roundup / Social Security questions and answers

Archive for Wednesday, January 28, 2009

January 28, 2009

Question: Next month I’ll turn 65 and I thought I’d be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But my neighbor told me I’d probably be turned down because I have a friend who said he might help support me. Is this true?

Answer: Only if your friend does help support you would it have an effect on whether you get SSI. Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and resources (the things you own). If you have low income and few resources, you may be able to get SSI. However, if you are receiving support from your friend or from anyone else, that income will be considered when making a decision on your SSI eligibility and amount. Support includes any food or shelter that is given to you, or is received by you because someone else pays for it.

For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select “Supplemental Security Income” or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and request a copy of our publication, Supplemental Security Income.