Federal Homelessness Resource Guide

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Here's What We Provide

Before addressing homelessness help, it is important to understand what we do. SSA generally provides cash benefits to individuals (not agencies, municipalities, or organizations) under the two primary cash programs it administers:

• Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance

The RSDI program provides payments funded by the "trust fund" and paid for with FICA tax. Learn more about the eligibility rules for retirement (including benefits for dependents) and the rules for disability benefits (including benefits for dependents). Basically, RSDI is the program that is associated with the Social Security Administration.

• Supplemental Security Income

The SSI program provides needs-based payments to aged (i.e., age 65), blind, or disabled individuals funded from "general revenues" or income tax. Since this is a needs-based program, only those with limited income and resources qualify. Read about the more in-depth eligibility rules for SSI. Note that an individual who qualifies for SSI almost always qualifies for medical assistance through Medicaid.

It is important to recognize that being homeless does not qualify an individual for either a RSDI or SSI payments. However, many disabled/aged homeless individual qualify for SSI benefits since they often have little income or resources. For such individuals, there are several special things we do to assist. For example, we will take an SSI claim from an individual in an institution (where SSI eligibility is precluded), so that when he is released, SSI payments can quickly begin. Read about other ways we assist the homeless.

Often, homeless individuals need assistance in filing an application for payments, as they need to remember to show up for appointments and comply with other requests to complete the application process. If you are able to assist such an individual, you should complete a form SSA-1696, and you will get copies of notices, be able to discuss issues with SSA regarding the individual, etc. Learn more about becoming an authorized representative and getting a form SSA-1696. Also, visit the SSA website.

Here's Who To Contact

SSA has 151 field offices in the 5-State Dallas Region. Find the nearest office. When you identify an SSA office, the phone number can be found in the local phone book, and we encourage you to contact them for any help you need. You may also contact SSA's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213.