In December, the federal government issued Supplemental Security Income checks to about 5.3 million Americans. However, even those over 65, recipients cannot apply for SSI online.
Applicants must contact their local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to apply, according to a report from Outsider. A Social Security Administration official will determine whether or not they can receive SSI benefits.
ACCORDING TO THE SUN, the SSA will notify applicants of its decision by mail. Once the 60 days have passed, they may appeal if they feel it is necessary.
What You Should Know About Supplemental Security Income
Every month, SSI payments are made on the first day of the month. There is an extra payment on December 30th. Social Security benefits are also paid on the third day of the month if people are entitled to them. They usually go out on first in case it occurs on a weekend.
Adults received SSI checks averaging around $617 per month in December. Minors with disabilities received an average SSI check of $687 per month. Senior citizens received the lowest average SSI benefit – around $474 at the end of last year.
A lump sum payment from both the state and federal government is made if the state’s SSI benefits go out to the SSA. These states are
- California
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont.
However, SSI benefits are not paid out in all states. These states are
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Washington D.C.
- Kansas, Indiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Read More: Latest Study Suggests Coronavirus May Mutate in Hiv-positive Individuals.
The Medium-Term Outlook for Social Security is Bleak
Social Security recipients do not all receive Supplemental Security Income. These individuals also have their own unique challenges. Social Security faces serious problems in the medium- to long-term, as its trustees have warned. The dynamics affecting its stability will not change unless something is done to change them.
Low interest rates, the longer retirement age, wealthy people living longer, too many beneficiaries, a Congressional impasse, and the difficulty for America of growing our way out of the crisis are just some of the issues that Social Security confronts right now.
The pandemic made matters worse as well. Taxes reduced the value of wages significantly, which caused a less valued benefits derived from them. Due to the pandemic-induced unemployment surge, fewer workers also contributed to Social Security, drastically reducing payroll taxes and, therefore, Social Security revenues.
Eventually, you’ll be affected by Social Security concerns regardless of whether you get a Supplemental Security Income check or not. Because the sustainability of Social Security is, in the end, a concern common to all Americans.
