If you are facing a financial emergency and you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may be able to get a one-time emergency payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
This payment can help you cover your basic needs until you receive your regular SSI payments. In this article, we will explain what a one-time emergency payment is, who can get it, how much it is, and how to apply for it.
What is a one-time emergency payment from SSI?
A one-time emergency payment from SSI is an advance payment of your SSI benefits that you can get if you have a financial emergency and you meet certain criteria.
A financial emergency is a situation where you have no income or resources to pay for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. A one-time emergency payment is not an additional payment, but an advance of your future SSI benefits.
This means that you will have to repay it from your regular SSI payments.
Who can get a one-time emergency payment from SSI?
You can get a one-time emergency payment from SSI if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You have applied for SSI benefits and you are likely to be eligible based on your income, resources, disability, or blindness.
- You are facing a financial emergency and you have no other income or resources to meet your basic needs.
- You have not received your first SSI payment or it has been delayed or lost.
- You have not received a presumptive disability or presumptive blindness payment, an immediate payment, or an expedited reinstatement payment in the same claim.
How much is a one-time emergency payment from SSI?
The maximum amount of a one-time emergency payment from SSI is the federal benefit rate (FBR) plus any state supplementary payment (SSP) that you are eligible for.
The FBR is the basic monthly amount of SSI benefits that the federal government pays. The SSP is an additional amount that some states pay to supplement the FBR.
The FBR for 2023 is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple.
The SSP varies by state and by living arrangement. You can find the SSP levels for each state on the SSA website.
How to apply for a one-time emergency payment from SSI?
To apply for a one-time emergency payment from SSI, you need to contact your local Social Security office as soon as possible.
You can find the nearest office by using the SSA online locator tool.
You will need to provide proof of your identity, income, resources, disability, or blindness, and your financial emergency. The SSA will review your application and decide whether you qualify for a one-time emergency payment. If you do, you will receive the payment by a third-party draft, which is a check that you can cash at any bank or credit union.
RELATED TOPIC: Supplemental Security Income: What It Is, Who Can Get It, and How to Apply
You will have to repay the payment from your regular SSI payments in six monthly installments or all at once from a retroactive payment.
PEOPLE ALSO ASK
What is the highest SSI payment?
The highest SSI payment for 2023 is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple, according to the SSA.
However, some states offer supplemental payments that can increase the total amount of SSI benefits. The state with the highest average supplemental payment in 2023 is Hawaii, with $412.08 per month.
Which state has the lowest SSI payment?
The state with the lowest SSI payment is North Dakota, with an average of $688.62 per month, including the federal and state benefits.
DID YOU KNOW?
North Dakota does not offer any supplemental payments to SSI recipients.
What’s the fastest you can get approved for disability?
The fastest way to get approved for disability is to apply for a condition that qualifies for the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program or the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process.
These are expedited review processes that allow applicants to get a decision in a matter of days or weeks, instead of months or years.
DID YOU KNOW?
The CAL program covers 266 conditions that are severe and likely to meet the disability criteria, such as certain cancers, neurological disorders, and rare diseases. The QDD process uses a software system to identify applications that have a high probability of approval based on the medical evidence and documentation provided.
What state pays the most SSI benefits?
The state that pays the most SSI benefits is California, with a total of $845 per month for an individual and $1,507 per month for a couple, including the federal and state benefits.
California has the highest state supplement for SSI recipients, with $331 per month for an individual and $568 per month for a couple.
Conclusion
A one-time emergency payment from SSI can be a lifeline for people who are in urgent need of money and are waiting for their regular SSI benefits.
However, it is not a free money, but an advance of your future benefits that you will have to repay.
Therefore, you should only apply for it if you have no other options and you are sure that you are eligible for SSI. If you have any questions or doubts about your eligibility or the application process, you should consult with a qualified SSI attorney or advocate.