Public Benefits
MENU
- Am I eligible for a Federal Economic Impact Payment if I receive SSI or SSDI and do not have other income?
- Where can I go to find programs to help me lead a more financially independent life?
- Where can I get benefits guidance regarding COVID-19 and HUD, Medicaid, Medicare, TANF, SNAP and unemployment insurance?
- What resources are available to assist me with my utility bills?
- Does my state allow for the online purchase of food for delivery using my SNAP benefits as payment?
- How can I find information on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in my state?
- Are there any programs for non-citizens or refugees who do not qualify for TANF, SSI or Medicaid, but who meet income and resource standards to receive assistance?
- Can an SSI recipient refuse to apply for unemployment compensation and the current $600 additional unemployment payment because they will lose their SSI and have to reapply once the payments stop?
- How do I reach the Social Security Administration?
You do not have to be earning income as an employee of a company or from any other source in addition to your Social Security payment. However, if you are listed as a dependent on someone else’s federal tax return you may not be eligible.
Benefits.gov is a great tool to help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive, such as income assistance, employment accommodations, housing, caregiver assistance and other programs. You can browse by category or search using keywords. While this website does not accept or manage applications for benefits, it does provide you with details on programs and guides you through the process.
Cornell University’s Institute on Employment and Disability has released guidance on the impact of COVID-19 on public benefits.
LIHEAP ( Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households pay their home heating and cooling bills. LIHEAP agencies across the country are working to address COVID-19 and are providing resources. Customers can use these resources to stay informed about program changes in their area and not miss opportunities for assistance.
Recently, some states have begun to allow authorized retailers to accept SNAP for online purchases for delivery. Only eligible food may be purchased with SNAP benefits; delivery fees and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. A SNAP beneficiary needs to pay delivery fees from another source such as savings or with an ABLE savings account debit card.
TANF can assist needy families with children (or expecting a child) experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 emergency. The criteria for “needy,” income eligibility and services varies by state.
Special refugee cash assistance (RCA) and refugee medical assistance (RMA) may be available through a refugee program during their first eight months in the U.S. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides funding for a broad range of social services to refugees through the states and, in some cases, through grants. The purpose is to help refugees obtain employment, achieve economic self-sufficiency and adjust socially as quickly as possible.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must not be a U.S. citizen who is a refugee that has been granted asylum, Haitian, Cuban, Amerasian or a victim of trafficking.
No. Unlike SSDI, DAC or DWB benefits, SSI is a program of last resort and the law requires that an SSI recipient apply for any benefit they may be eligible to receive or risk termination of SSI.
If the receipt of unemployment compensation and/or the additional $600 causes the loss of SSI, when the payments stop the recipient should notify SSA immediately and ask them to resume their SSI payments. SSI can be reinstated without a new application for up to 12 months after the SSI was suspended for this reason.
If you decide to save some or all of these payments, an ABLE account, open to eligible individuals with a disability, is a great option to have up to $100,000 in savings not counted.
The Social Security Administration provides guidance regarding telephone contact, online services and options for requesting information during this time.
View More Resources
The Financial Resilience Center was developed by National Disability Institute with generous funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
