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Title XVI Benefits

Social Security Disability Title XVI Benefits, also known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), include benefit payments made to the blind, the elderly, and completely disabled individuals who have a demonstrated financial need. Social Security Disability Title XVI Benefits are funded by the general US Treasury, unlike SSDI (A different Social Security Disability program), which is essentially an insurance program for those who have worked and paid into the FICA system.

Title XVI Benefits are available to those who have been deemed disabled according to Social Security Disability’s definition of disability (completely unable to perform any gainful work because of a condition which has lasted or is expected to last at least a year or to end in your death) who have few assets and little or no countable income. In order to qualify for Title XVI Benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be completely disabled, blind, or over 65 years old.
  • You must be a resident of the United States, including the 50 states, Washington DC, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Exceptions are made for those who are overseas temporarily or as a result of military service.
  • You must meet the income criteria. The actual limits vary depending on the cost of living in the state where you live. Check with the Social Security Administration Field Office in your area for details regarding the actual income limits for Title XVI Benefits in your area.
  • You must meet the assets criteria. As of 2011, you may not have more than $2,000 worth of countable assets if you are single or $3,000 worth of assets as a married couple. You can exclude your home and one vehicle from your countable assets.

The following article further discusses the rules for receiving ssi.

If you have other income, the amount of Title XVI Benefits you are entitled to will be adjusted and you will receive a smaller Social Security Disability benefit amount. As of this writing, the maximum Social Security Disability Title XVI payment is $674/month for an individual and $1,011/month for a couple (if both individuals are eligible).