In the month of December, a significant number of Americans are poised to receive a total of up to $2,700 from the Social Security Administration. This financial boost arrives just in time for a holiday season that’s predicted to be more expensive than usual. However, there’s a catch: To be in the running for these funds, one must be a beneficiary of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Eligible individuals are scheduled to get two payments, with the first coming on December 1st and the second on December 29th. Single recipients will get two payments of $914 each, adding up to $1,828. Married couples, on the other hand, will be granted two payments of $1,371 each, culminating in a total of $2,742.
Social Security benefits eligibility and distribution criteria for SSI aid
It’s crucial to understand that for a married couple to qualify for this aid, both partners need to be eligible for SSI benefits. The federal agency is prepared to distribute these payments to about 67 million Americans. As per the Social Security Administration’s website, these disbursements are aimed at individuals who have minimal or no income, particularly those “whose monthly earnings from work don’t exceed $1,913.”
The administration evaluates various income sources like disability benefits, unemployment, and pensions. It also considers specific circumstances such as being a single parent or having a child with a disability in the household. SSI is available to American citizens with limited resources, including money in bank accounts or assets like homes or vehicles, which should not exceed $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Americans who are 65 years or older are eligible for SSI, irrespective of disability status. Conversely, individuals under the age of 65 with a disability must meet several criteria to qualify for aid. According to the SSA, younger applicants with a disability, aged 64 or below, must be either legally blind or have a condition that impairs their ability to work for a year or more, significantly restricts daily activities, or could result in death.
Those who meet these disability criteria must also prove that their monthly income from work is below $1,470. The SSA highlights that it offers a maximum of $2,000 for individuals and children, while the cap for couples is $3,000, distributed via mail or direct deposit. Recipients who opt for direct deposit will receive the SSI payments on the scheduled dates — December 1 and December 29, as stated by the SSA.
For recipients awaiting payments via mail, a three-day waiting period is suggested. If the initial and second payments are not received by December 6 and January 3, respectively, the SSA recommends getting in touch with them. Parents filing for their children will have an added $2,000 to their overall resource limit. To assess eligibility for SSI, Americans who believe they meet these criteria need to undergo a five-step application procedure. According to the SSA, this process can span three to five months for a decision to be reached.
Interestingly, certain non-citizens are also eligible for the December payments, provided they fulfill the requirements to be deemed a “qualified alien.” This includes those who have been granted asylum or admitted to the US as refugees under the Immigration and Nationality Act, among other criteria.