Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP)

The SSI Program is a federally funded program which provides monthly cash assistance to eligible individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. SSI benefits are also available to qualified blind or disabled minors. The SSP Program is the state program which augments SSI. Both SSI and SSP benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for both programs is determined by SSA using federal criteria. If an eligible individual qualifies for SSI, they qualify for SSP. 

To apply for SSI/SSP, please visit your local Social Security office (find the nearest SSA office), apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Individuals Who May be Eligible for SSI/SSP

• Are aged 65 or over or blind or disabled,
• file applications for SSI/SSP,
• meet income and resource limits,
• are U.S. or naturalized citizens, lawfully admitted permanent residents, or have another eligible immigration status, and reside within the United States,
• do not reside in a public institution, and
• apply for all benefit programs for which they may qualify (when referred).

Individuals who are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status, may be eligible for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Please refer to the CAPI Webpage for more information.

Language Access at CDSS:

You have the right to free and timely oral interpretation, sign language services, and written translations of English-language content.

State and Federal law requires us to provide you with free interpretation services and to translate information for individuals who have limited English proficiency (LEP). This is to make sure you understand your benefits, rights, and responsibilities and can fully participate in our programs.

We must provide effective communication so that individuals who are LEP can use our government services and programs. We prohibit discrimination in the delivery of public services.

Guiding Authority

Statutes

• State SSP Statute:  Welfare and Institutions Code, Div. 9, Part 3, Chap. 3, Section 12000 et seq.
• Federal SSI Statute: Social Security Act, Title XVI (42 USC §1381 Note et seq.

Regulations and Policy

• State SSP Regulations: Manual of Policies and Procedures, Division 46-100, Section 46-105 et seq.
• Federal Regulations: 20 CFR §416.101 et seq.
• Federal SSI Policy: Social Security Administration Policy and Operations Manual System, Chapter SI 005 et seq.

Publications and Information

• 2025 May Revision - SSI/SSP Maximum Grant Comparison to Fair Market Rent Amounts
• 2025-26 Governor’s Budget - SSI/SSP Maximum Grant Comparison to Fair Market Rent Amounts
• Budget Hearing: SSI/SSP Overview (Fall 2024)
• Budget Hearing: SSI/SSP Overview (Fall 2023)
• SSI/SSP Information Flyer (SSA Publication 05-11125, January 2021)
• SSI/SSP Eligibility Summary
• Legislative Briefing: SSI/SSP Overview (December 2020)

Letters and Notices

• CFL18/19-06 (August 10, 2018)
  Fiscal Year 2018-19 Non-Medical Out-Of-Home Care General Fund Allocation
• ACL 16-34 (May 3, 2016)
  Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Redeterminations – Clarification Regarding Supplementary Security Income (SSI) Referrals
• ACL14-55 (September 10, 2014)
  Termination of State Funding for Supplementary Security Income Advocacy Programs (SSIAP) for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
• ACIN I-93-08 (December 2, 2008)
  January 2009 Cost-of-Living Adjustments that Affect the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) and CAPI Benefit Amount When Spouse Receives SSI/SSP
• ACIN I-76-08 (November 7, 2008)
  Publication Of Social Security Income Pamphlets
• ACL 04-37 (September 17, 2004)
  Supplemental Security Income Advocacy Programs for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
• ACIN I-07-04 (January 28, 2004)
  Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Eligibility for Refugees Discontinued from the Supplementary Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program
• ACL 03-04 (January 27, 2003)
  January 2003 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor's And Disability Insurance) And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program) Cost Of Living Adjustment And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services Recipients
• ACL 02-11 (January 25, 2002)
  January 2002 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor's And Disability Insurance [RSDI] And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment [SSI/SSP] Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients
• ACL 09-01 (January 22, 2001)
  January 2001 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Surviviors And Disability Insurance (RSDI) And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program), Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA), And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients.
• ACL 99-102 (December 8, 1999)
  January 2000 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor's And Disability Insurance [RSDI] and Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment [SSI/SSP] Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) and Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients.
• ACL 98-92 (December 7, 1998)
  January 1999 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor's And Disability Insurance (RSDI) And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients.
• ACL 98-05 (January 14, 1998)
  January 1998 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor's And Disability Insurance [RSDI]) And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment [SSI/SSP] Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients
• ACL 98-04 (January 14, 1998)
  Restoration Of The December 1995 4.9 Percent Reduction Of Title XVI Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program (SSI/SSP) Benefit Level Affecting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients
• ACL 97-43 (August 8, 1997)
  Processing Of Terminated Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) And Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Cash Benefits To In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients Based On No Longer Disabled, Including Drug Addition And/Or Alcoholism (DA&A)
• ACL 96-70 Errata (December 17, 1996)
  January 1997 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor’s And Disability Insurance [RSDI] And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment [SSI/SSP] Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients
• ACL 96-70 (December 17, 1996)
  January 1997 Social Security Title II (Retirement, Survivor’s And Disability Insurance [RSDI] And Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment [SSI/SSP] Program) Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Related Issues That Affect In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Recipients
• ACIN I-05-96 (January 29, 1996)
  Transmittal Of New SSP 17 Form For Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Drug Addicts And Alcoholics (DA&A)