SSI - Social Security Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Social Security Administration program designed to help people who are disabled, blind, or aged, who have little or no income. SSI provides a monthly income to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Medical Eligibility
You may qualify for SSI if you fall under one of these three categories:
Disabled: Social Security considers you to be disabled if you have a serious physical or mental condition that prevents you from working; can be expected to result in death; or has lasted or can be expected to last over 12 months. Both adults (over age 18) and children (under age 18) may qualify for SSI.
Aged: If you are over 65, you qualify for SSI if you are also financially eligible.
Blind: Social Security considers you to be blind if the best your eyesight can be corrected to is 20/200, OR you have a visual field no greater than 20 degrees in your better eye.
Financial Eligibility
If you make less than $1,350 per month in earnings in 2022 and have less than $2,000 in assets (exceptions may apply), you may qualify for SSI.
You must be both medically and financially eligible to qualify for SSI. Please contact us if you have any questions about your eligibility.
What We Do
We provide FREE help with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance claims for both adults and children. Currently, we only assist regarding the ‘disabled’ criteria. If you qualify under the ‘Aged’ or ‘Blind’ criteria, you may file directly with the Social Security Administration.
You may qualify for our services if you:
- Have a mental or behavioral health condition
- Or
- Receive General Relief benefits (you do not need to have a mental/behavioral health condition to qualify for our services if you are on General Relief benefits)
Our SSI advocates and attorneys assist with all aspects of the SSI claims process, including initial applications, reconsiderations, hearings, appeals council appeals, federal district court appeals, and continuing disability reviews.
All our services are FREE. We do not charge, and we do not take part of your retroactive benefits when you are granted.
How To Get Help
County Clubhouses
We partner with County Clubhouses around San Diego to provide SSI services. If you have a Mental Health or Behavioral Health condition, you may reach out to a Clubhouse near you to get connected with an SSI advocate:
- Casa Del Centro Clubhouse, 2754 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102, Tel: (619) 951-9013
- Connections 2 Community, 101 16th Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Tel: (858) 264-9651
- East Corner Clubhouse, 1060 Estes Street, El Cajon, CA 92020, Tel: (619) 631-0441
- The Plaza Clubhouse, 269 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910, Tel: (760) 798-5752
- The Meeting Place, 2553 State Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Tel: (619) 294-9582
- Mariposa Clubhouse, 1701 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA 92058, Tel: (760) 439-2785
- Escondido Clubhouse, 474 W Vermont Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025, Tel: (760) 737-7125
Once you connect with a clubhouse for SSI services, they will refer your case to us for screening. If you are eligible, the clubhouse will assist you with SSI paperwork, and then we will take over the case.
General Relief & Other County Benefits
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has Family Resource Centers (FRCs) which provide General Relief and other benefits. General Relief is temporary cash assistance (a loan) for county residents who have no other means of support. If you are not already receiving General Relief benefits and would like to apply, please contact one of the following FRCs for assistance. To find out which FRC serves your zip code, call Access toll-free at (866) 262-9881.
- Downtown / Central Region, 1255 Imperial Avenue, 5th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
- Chula Vista / South Region, 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
- El Cajon / East Region, 220 S. First Street, El Cajon, CA 92109
- Oceanside / North Coastal, 3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92056
- Escondido / North Inland, 649 W. Mission Avenue Unit 3, Escondido, CA 92025
After you are approved for General Relief benefits, your General Relief worker will refer your case to us for SSI services.
Request a Presentation
Our staff give presentations on a variety of issues to community groups, service providers, and others in low-income communities.
Volunteer to Help
We can always use volunteer assistance. Please contact our pro bono team for opportunities!
Your Privacy Notice with LASSD
To review our Privacy Notice regarding how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please click here
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