Supplemental Security Income (SSI):A Fact Sheet

Scott Szymendera 
Analyst in Disability Policy

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, enacted in 1974, is a needs-based program that provides cash benefits designed to ensure a minimum income to aged, blind, or disabled persons with limited income and assets. The SSI program is a means-tested program that does not have work or contribution requirements, but restricts benefits to those who meet asset and resource limitations. In December 2009, the SSI program had 7,676,686 participants, who received more than $4.1 billion in benefits. In FY2009, the total net cost of the SSI program was $45.25 billion, including $42.11 billion in federal benefit payments. Funding for the SSI program is provided by Congress in the annual Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.


Date of Report: February 2, 2010
Number of Pages: 6
Order Number: 96-486
Price: $7.95

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