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SSI Administration Handbook Release 11-01 February 16, 2011 |
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SSI Administration Handbook Release 11-01 February 16, 2011 |
4.1.1 PDF Version and Introduction
4.1.7 Table of SSI Payment Levels
This document is also available in Adobe Acrobat: SSI in Wisconsin 2008 (PDF, 38KB).
People in financial need who are 65 or older or people of any age who are blind or disabled may be eligible for monthly cash payments from the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) and from the state Department of Health Services (DHS). The payments are called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You can receive the state SSI payment only if you qualify for a federal SSI payment. (One exception is a small group of grandfathered SSI recipients who still receive the state SSI payment they qualified for in December of 1995.) You may be eligible for SSI payments if you have little or no income and if your assets are $2,000 or less for a single person or $3,000 or less for a married couple. Certain assets do not count, such as your home and car. You can apply for SSI at your nearest Social Security office. You do not have to apply separately for the state SSI payment. You will automatically receive the state SSI payment as long as you qualify for a federal SSI payment. You will receive both SSI payments during the first week of each month.
If you receive SSI payments, you automatically qualify for Medicaid ( Medical Assistance / Title 19). A separate Medicaid application is not necessary. As long as you receive SSI, the state will authorize your Medicaid every month. You will receive a "Forward” card to show to your medical providers when you first become eligible for Medicaid. If you also have Medicare , the state will automatically pay your out-of-pocket Medicare costs - such as Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
When you receive SSI, you also may qualify for FoodShare. FoodShare can help you buy more food without having to spend other income. County Social Services/Human Services agencies take FoodShare applications. However, people who live in a household where everyone is applying for or receiving SSI may apply for FoodShare at the Social Security Office.
Additional social services are available to SSI recipients through county Social Services/ Human Services agencies. These services include: • Homemaker and chore services • Long term support and care • Rehabilitation services • Protective Services For more information about these and other social services, contact your county Social Services/Human Services agency.
4.1.7 Table of SSI Payment Levels shows both federal and state maximum SSI payments in 2011 for SSI recipients in different living arrangements. Not all SSI recipients receive the maximum SSI payment amounts. Federal payments may be lower if you have other income - such as Social Security retirement or Social Security disability. But not all of your other income counts toward your eligibility for SSI. Your Social Security office can give you more information about how other income affects federal SSI payment amounts. Everyone who qualifies for a federal SSI payment of any amount automatically qualifies for the maximum state SSI payment. If you lose eligibility for a federal SSI payment, you will also stop receiving the state SSI payment.
You can get more information about federal SSI and how to apply by calling Social Security’s toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a service representative between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. If you have a touch tone phone, recorded information is available after 7 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends and holidays. Social Security also has an Internet address: http:// www.ssa.gov/ People who are hearing impaired may call the toll-free TTY number 1-800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Phone lines are busiest the first week of the month and early in the week, so if your business can wait, it’s best to call at other times.
You can get information about your state SSI payment by calling the state SSI toll-free number 1-800-362-3002 (voice/TTY) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on business days, or Fax 1-608-221-0991. Or you can write to DHS/State SSI, P.O. Box 6680, Madison, WI 53716-0680. The state SSI Internet address is http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/ ssi/ You cannot apply for state SSI at this address or phone number. You must apply for SSI at your Social Security Office and you must qualify for a federal SSI payment to receive the state SSI payment. Medicaid ID Cards: If you receive SSI and have a question about your Medicaid (Forward) card, call 1-800-362-3002.
SSI Payment Rates Effective January 1, 2011
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Living Arrangement |
Federal Payment |
State Payment |
Total Payment |
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Independent Living |
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Eligible Individual |
$674.00 |
$83.78
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$757.78
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Eligible Couple |
$1,011.00 |
$132.05 |
$1,143.05 |
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Couple/ One Spouse Eligible |
$674.00 |
$130.43 |
$804.43 |
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Living in the Household of Another |
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Eligible Individual
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$449.34 |
$83.78 |
$533.12 |
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Eligible Couple |
$674.00 |
$132.05 |
$806.05 |
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Couple/ One Spouse Eligible |
$449.34 |
$135.05 |
$584.39 |
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Natural Residential or Substitute Care SSI-E |
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Eligible Individual
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$674.00 |
*$179.77 |
$883.77 |
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Eligible Couple |
$1,011.00 |
*$477.41 |
$1,488.41 |
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Effective November 1, 1999 |
*$250 for the first eligible child and $150 for each additional eligible child |
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*The SSI-E state payment is available to SSI recipients who reside in certain substitute care facilities or who require additional support services in order to live independently. Only County Social Services/Human Services agencies may certify eligible SSI recipients for the SSI-E supplement. The Caretaker Supplement state payment is available to SSI recipients whose dependent children are eligible for certain types of Medicaid.
This page last updated in Release Number: 11-01
Release Date: 02-16-11
Effective Date: 02-16-11