Key Factors for Your SSI Eligibility
Social Security: Payments were stopped beginning February 1987.
We found that you became disabled under our rules on May 3, 1985.
Type of Supplemental Security Income Payment Information
You are entitled to monthly payments as a disabled individual. Can I get SSI?
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Whether you can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) today depends on your current financial situation, though receiving retroactive payments dating back to 1987 is generally not possible under Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations.
Key Factors for Your SSI Eligibility
1. Current Eligibility: SSI Aged Category
Because you are over age 65, you no longer need to prove disability to qualify for SSI.
- SSI Aged standard: SSI provides monthly payments to adults aged 65 or older who meet strict federal income and asset thresholds.
- Resource limit: You must have less than $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for a married couple), excluding your primary home and one vehicle.
- Income limit: Your monthly countable income must be below the federal benefit rate.
2. Reinstatement vs. New Application
- Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): SSA rules only allow benefits to be restarted without a new application within 5 years of termination. Because payments stopped in February 1987, EXR is not applicable.
- Appealing the 1987 Termination: Official appeals (Form SSA-561) must normally be filed within 60 days of receiving a termination notice. Unless an appeal was filed in 1987 and left unadjudicated, or there was a documented administrative error, the 1987 determination is legally final.
- Retroactive Payments: SSI cannot be paid retroactively prior to the month following the filing date of a new application.
Immediate Next Steps & Verification Checklist
- Verify Your Historical SSA Record
- Contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security field office.
- Request a review of your historical file to confirm the exact reason for the February 1987 payment stoppage and verify whether any open, unadjudicated appeals or underpayments remain on your record.
- Contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security field office.
- Check Eligibility for Social Security Retirement (SSDI Conversion)
- If you accumulated enough work credits prior to or after 1985, you may be entitled to Social Security Retirement Benefits (Title II), which are based on your work history rather than financial need.
- Submit a New SSI Application
- If your current monthly income is limited and countable assets are under $2,000, schedule an appointment with the SSA to file a new application for SSI Aged benefits.
- Bring required documentation: government ID, proof of current income (pensions, annuities), bank statements for all accounts, and proof of living arrangements/housing costs.
- If your current monthly income is limited and countable assets are under $2,000, schedule an appointment with the SSA to file a new application for SSI Aged benefits.