Recent announcements indicate that a significant number of individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will see a halt in their monthly payments from the government. According to the SSA, over 100,000 individuals nationwide were removed from SSI rolls in the previous year.
The number of individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income decreased from 7,380,737 in May 2023 to 7,261,342 in May 2024. There was a decrease of 119,395 individuals receiving SSI benefits from May 2023 to May 2024. If you currently receive SSI payments or are considering applying for this Social Security program in the future, discover the reasons behind the decline in the number of beneficiaries.
Over 100,000 Beneficiaries will be Cut off from SSI Benefits
Individuals with visual impairments, both adults and children, who have minimal or no income due to their disabilities may qualify for financial assistance through SSI payments. A total of 7.2 million individuals receive this specific income from the SSA, belonging to this category. The majority of SSI claimants total 6.1 million. There are an additional 1.1 million individuals who are 65 years old and older.
The count of injured or blind claimants who ceased receiving the benefit saw a decrease of 140,034 from May 2023 to May 2024, falling from 6,281,068 to 6,141,034 in these categories. In total, there were 20,639 additional individuals aged 65 and older receiving assistance compared to the previous year, bringing the total to 1,120,308 from 1,099,669.
The reason behind the decrease in the number of visually impaired or disabled users during that period remains unclear. An inquiry was made to the SSA to uncover the situation, revealing that over 10,000 individuals across multiple states have stopped receiving SSI payments.
California saw a decrease of 16,573 SSI applications from May 2023 to April 2024, despite having the highest number of applications among all states. In addition, over 17,000 individuals receiving disability payments have been deemed ineligible. The majority of these individuals faced blindness or disabilities. Assistance in this area saw a decline, with figures falling from 708,695 to 690,351.
Read More: Important Update: Social Security Alters 2025 Payment Dates, Checks No Longer Mailed on Usual Days
The count of individuals in Texas receiving SSI saw a decline of 14,587, decreasing from 591,710 in May 2023 to 577,123. There has been a decline in the number of individuals seeking SSI in various states that have high population densities. For example, New York saw a decrease in the count of individuals receiving SSI, falling from 568,777 to 559,222.
In certain areas, the count of individuals receiving SSI benefits remained relatively unchanged. In North Dakota, the count of individuals receiving SSI has shifted from 7,923 last year to 7,906 this year, reflecting a decrease of just 17 individuals. Among these individuals, only one was neither blind nor disabled.
At last, a few additional states experienced minor adjustments. In Rhode Island, the count of beneficiaries decreased from 30,317 in 2023 to 30,015 in May, reflecting a yearly change of approximately 300 individuals.
Recent Updates
Recently, the SSA revealed updates that will alter the evaluation process for applications concerning Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI payments. The office proposed the modification to streamline the assessment of an individual’s disability status.
The government agency has announced that modifications will be implemented to enhance the final rule, aiming to streamline the process of applying for disability benefits and reduce the waiting time for outcomes.
Must Check: November’s Last $1,921 Social Security Checks Are on Their Way, Are You Eligible?
The fourth step, assessing the applicant’s ability to perform related work, has been simplified due to the recent regulation change. The new regulation, effective June 22, 2024, stipulates that the agency will review only the past five years to determine the continued relevance of previous work.
Prior to this adjustment, SSA required individuals to provide extensive details regarding their employment history spanning the last 15 years. This may complicate the process of providing information, potentially resulting in inaccurate or insufficient reports.
The agency will cease to consider positions that begin and end within a span of fewer than 30 calendar days. A government organization stated, “The updated regulation simplifies the application process for benefits, allowing individuals to concentrate on their latest relevant job activities while still providing sufficient information for precise assessments.”
Reference: Goodbye to SSI Payments – List of Retirees Who Will No Longer Receive From Social Security Benefits
