Changes will help poor people qualify for Supplemental Security Income

For people living in poverty, a number of barriers, such as food, to qualifying for a Social Security Administration program will soon be eliminated.

The Agency is simplifying and expanding its guidelines for Supplemental Security Income benefits for individuals with low or no income and very limited resources.

Starting Monday, an applicant or recipient of SSI will no longer be denied benefits or have their benefits reduced based on informal food assistance the person may receive from friends, family and community networks. The agency will no longer include food in calculations for benefits in kind and maintenance.