Resources

The resources that are counted when deciding if you qualify for SSI are, bank accounts, real estate, cash, stock and bonds. If your resources are worth less than $2,000, then you may still qualify for SSI and couples with resources less than $3,000 may qualify.

Social Security does not count everything you own when deciding if you have too many resources. As an example these do not count:
     • The home you live in and the land it is on;
     • Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less;
     • Your car(usually)
     • Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family; and
     • Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse.

Other qualifying rules

To get SSI, you must live in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands and be a U.S. citizen or national. In some cases, noncitizen residents can qualify for SSI.

If you are eligible for Social Security or other benefits, you should apply for them. You can get SSI and other benefits if you are eligible for both.

If you live in certain types of institutions, you may get SSI.

If you live in a city or county rest home, halfway house or other public institution, you usually cannot get SSI. But there are some exceptions.

If you live in a publicly operated community residence that serves no more than 16 people, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public institution mainly to attend approved educational or job training to help you get a job, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you may get SSI.

If you live in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying more than half the cost of your care, you may get a small SSI benefit.