Social Security has recently announced it is expanding outreach for the supplemental security income, or SSI program.
SSI provides payments to adults age 65 and older and younger adults and children with a disability. Jack Myers with Social Security explains to qualify, recipients must have limited income and financial resources. And SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.
Social Security is seeking to reach people in underserved communities to help them understand that SSI may be able to help. Myers explains they are also trying to reach organizations that provide services in underserved communities so they can help connect those who need SSI.
According to Myers, they are using data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where we noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic and where the majority of people in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty level. The campaign uses a variety of ways to reach people.
People with limited income and financial resources or those who assist them should visit www.ssa.gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility. People without internet access can call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.
