Supplements to Supplemental Security Income

Anyone who is in the process of applying for Supplemental Security Income, or those who are already receiving benefits, are likely aware that the overall payments for this program are not too high. Depending on the jurisdiction in which you live, and the extent of your disability, your payments may be as little as $500 a month, with a cap of around $650. This is not a lot of money when it comes to the business of living. Many individuals struggle even after they've been approved for Supplemental Security Income. To this end, there are a variety of different supplemental programs that can help you if you are on Supplemental Security Income and cannot make ends meet.

 An Example: The Exceptional Expense Supplement

For an example in the case of getting a supplement to your Supplemental Security Income, take a look at what the state of Wisconsin has to offer individuals who meet certain living requirements. The official name of this supplement is the Exceptional Expense Supplement For Recipients of Supplemental Security Income. Assuming that a certain individual meets the parameters that are defined in this context, they may be eligible for up to an extra $95 per month.

In this case, the requirements have to do with the living conditions that the recipient of Supplement Security Income has. If an individual's expenses are greater than a predefined level (which changes depending on the fiscal year), this benefit may be applied. An example of living arrangements that may warrant this supplement include licensed foster homes, group homes for children, or a Certified Residential Care Apartment Complex. It may also apply to individuals who reside in their own homes but require more than 40 hours a week worth of supervised care.

The idea of these additional supplements is to help mitigate the healthcare costs of the individuals who need them the most. The exact provisions that are available to you depend on the jurisdiction in which you live. In order to find out more about the different types of supplements that you may be eligible for while you are receiving Supplement Security Income, be sure to get in contact with the local chapter of your Social Security Administration. They will be able to get you the information you need in order to get the extra assistance you require. The idea of all of these programs is to assist those who are in the direst need, so if you qualify for one of the state assistance programs, you should most certainly take the initiative and take advantage of what is being offered.