Fixed Income

SSI Is Not Social Security

When most folks say they want to file for SSI benefits, they are actually referring to Social Security.
SSI Is Not Social Security
SSI is a welfare program. It is not a Social Security program. Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Shutterstock
Tom Margenau
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I can tell it’s time for me to once again explain to people that SSI and Social Security are two entirely different programs.

Every single day, I get emails from readers who say something like, “I am getting SSI, and I want to know if my wife might be due some of my SSI.” Or they will say: “I’m getting close to retirement. How do I file for my SSI benefits?”

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]