SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Social Security

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) IS welfare. It's just that it's paid by a federal agency (the Social Security Administration). Just like a welfare check from the state, recipients of SSI must report changes in their living arrangements, income and resources. And once a year (if there isn't too big of a backlog) a redetermination is done by a claims rep to determine if someone is still eligible. SSI is paid to the blind, disabled and aged (age 65+) who have never worked OR their earnings were so low or sparse that they receive no Social Security or have a very low Social Security benefit. PS: When I worked for Social Security we were told not to refer to SSI as welfare benefits so that we wouldn't discourage people from filing for it. Benefits for the blind, aged and disabled were handled by the states until the programs were federalized in Jan, 1974; it was given to the Social Security Administration to administer because Social Security was already set up to process such things.

Social Security benefits are different. Resources and living arrangements are immaterial in determining benefit amounts and eligibility. The only income Social Security cares about if someone is getting Social Security disability (as opposed to SSI disability) is worker's comp and earnings from work. As far as retirement and survivor benefits the only earned income which must be reported is by people under the full retirement age and then only if it's way more than $10,000 a year (the yearly allowable amount changes yearly). Once they hit full retirement age they can earn whatever they want without reporting it.

Some people can receive BOTH SSI and Social Security. That would be people whose Social Security benefits are low enough so that they would not be ineligible. However, the Social Security benefit reduces the amount of SSI which can be paid as does any income.