2124. Eligibility Under More Than One Category

2124.1 Can you qualify for benefits under more than one of the eligibility categories?

It is possible for you to qualify for SSI under more than one of the three eligibility categories of aged, blind, or disabled. For example, you may be both blind and disabled, or you may be over age 65 and blind or disabled.

2124.2 How are Federal SSI benefits affected if you fit more than one of the eligibility categories?

The Federal SSI benefit rate is the same for all categories. However, because of differences in income/resources exclusions, a blind or disabled individual may receive a higher SSI benefit than an aged person. However, the individual age 65 or older must have an established onset of blindness or disability before the month he or she turned age 65 in order to qualify for the higher exclusions.

2124.3 How are Federally Administered State Supplementation benefits affected if you fit more than one of the eligibility categories?

States with Federally administered supplementation programs may vary their supplementation amounts by category. For example, if a person was blind before age 65 but was age 65 or older at the time of filing, he or she may choose to receive a higher State supplement based on blindness, if that option is provided. However, such an individual's Federal SSI payment is based on age 65 and not on blindness.

Last Revised: March, 2001