Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 30, 2019

THE GOOD LIFE

8

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 30, 2019 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW SSI CAN HELP LOW-
INCOME SENIORS AND THE 
DISABLED

Dear Savvy Senior:

What can you tell me about the Supplemental Security 
Income program and what are the eligibility requirements? My father is very low-income, so 
I’m wondering if this is something he may qualify for. Searching Daughter 

Dear Searching,

Supplemental Security Income (or SSI) is a program administered by the Social Security Administration 
that provides monthly cash benefits to people that are disabled or over 65 based on financial 
need. Currently, more than 8 million people are receiving SSI benefits. Here’s what you should know.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SSI your dad must be either age 65 or older, blind or disabled, and must be a U.S. citizen 
or lawful resident. He must also have limited assets and income. 

His assets must be less than $2,000 or $3,000 for couples. This includes cash, bank accounts, other 
personal property, and anything else that could potentially be converted to cash. His home, household 
goods and one vehicle, along with life insurance policies and burial funds valued under $1,500, 
do not count towards countable assets. 

The income limit to qualify for SSI, however, is much more complicated. Countable income includes 
wages or any other kind of money your dad earned from working, plus money he gets from other 
sources like unemployment, Social Security retirement, or gifts from friends, but also, free food or 
shelter. 

In 2019, the SSI allowable income limit is $771 a month for an individual or $1,157 a month for a 
couple. So, if your dad’s countable income is over the SSI allowable limit (this is based on a complex 
set of rules and calculations – see SSA.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm) he would not qualify. But if he’s 
under it, he would qualify for some benefits depending on his countable income. 

To help you determine if your dad is eligible for SSI, help him take the Social Security Administration’s 
benefits screening test at SSAbest.benefits.gov. This online questionnaire takes approximately 5 
minutes to complete and screens for a variety of benefits, not just SSI. 

You should also know that most states – except Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota and West Virginia 
– supplement the federal SSI payment with payments of their own. In some of the states that 
pay a supplement, your dad may qualify for the state payment even if he doesn’t meet the federal SSI 
eligibility criteria. 

How to Apply

If you think that your dad is eligible for SSI, call 800-772-1213 and set up an appointment to apply at 
his local Social Security office. 

To help make the application process go quickly and smoothly, your dad should bring his Social 
Security number; birth certificate or other proof of age; information about the home where he lives, 
such as his mortgage, or lease and the landlord’s name; payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, 
burial fund records and other information about his income and the things he owns; his proof of U.S. 
citizenship or eligible noncitizen status; and if he is applying for SSI because he is disabled or blind, 
the names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that have information 
related to his condition.

For more information visit SSA.gov/ssi or call Social Security at 800-772-1213 and ask them to mail 
you a copy of publication 11000 “Supplemental Security Income (SSI).” You can also read it online at 
SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-11000.pdf.

Other Assistance Programs

Depending on your dad’s income, needs and location there are other financial assistance programs 
that may be able to help him like Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, food stamps and energy 
assistance. To find out what he may be eligible for go to BenefitsCheckUp.org. This is a free, confidential 
Web tool that contains more than 2,500 programs.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …March Birthdays*

Cathy Flammer, Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella Guttman, Viky 
Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Joan Crow, Nancy Fox, Martha 
Cassara, Rita Johnson, Mercedes Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol 
Cerrina, Amy Putnam, Sally Contreras * To add your name to this distinguished 
list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required

 

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday Morning from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity 
may be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:30-1:30pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game 
by naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing 
your tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new 
friends... Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, March 13th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for 
legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. 
All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley.light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

TAX ASSISTANCE—Every Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Beginning February 6th – April 10th, Don Brunner 
is available for income tax consultation. Appointments needed, call 626-355-5278 x704

SENIOR EXCURSION Ostrichland & Danish Village (Solvang)

Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $20.00

Level of Walking: High

Lunch is on your own...

The highlight of a visit to Ostrichland is feeding the ostriches and emus. They provide 
a way for you to safely be up close and personal with these big birds which are a rare 
sight guaranteed to make you smile. The backdrop of the landscape on which they 
roam is quite lovely and seeing them walking about in what resembles their native 
land is like being transported to a different place.

Stop by the gift shop to get ostrich/emu related items or fresh ostrich eggs nearly year round and emu eggs 
which are available in the winter/spring season.

The historic Danish Village of Solvang offers the best of the Santa Ynez Valley & Santa Barbara Wine Country 
in a relaxed setting. Indulge in authentic Danish Pastries, admire European Architecture or sample wine in one 
of the 18+ tasting rooms. 

 Sierra Madre Resident Registration now through March 13, 2019; Non-Resident Registration begins 
March 14; Last Registration Date is March 26, 2019.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com