SAMHSA SOAR

SSA-8000: Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The SSA-8000 is the form used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to gather all the non-medical information for the SSI application.

SSA-8000: Application for SSI

The SSA-8000: Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is completed by an SSA claims representative either at a field office or on the phone. In some SOAR communities, case managers are trained to complete the SSA-8000 and submit the paper version to SSA. If the paper version is submitted it must be signed by the applicant. Contact your State Team Lead to find out whether this is possible in your community.

Print out the SSA-8000 and enter information as you gather it. View a sample completed SSA-8000 paper form.

iSSI Online SSI Application

Applicants who meet the following criteria can now complete the iSSI application (a limited, deferred SSI application) online:

  • Are between the ages of 18 and 65;
  • Aren’t blind;
  • Have never been married;
  • U.S. Citizens and residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
  • Haven’t applied for or received disability or SSI benefits in the past; and
  • Are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance at the same time as your SSI claim.

Note: The iSSI application is not the same as the SSA-8000, and the applicant will need to answer additional questions from SSA outside of iSSI about income and resources.

SSA plans to expand the population who can file for SSI online in future updates. Claimants who do not meet these criteria will still be able to express an intent to file for SSI; however, they will not be able to file for SSI online.

SOAR Case Managers Can Help

This is the first part of the SSI application to be processed. It is lengthy and can be daunting for the applicant.

  • Any assistance by the case manager can be very helpful.
  • Become familiar with this form and use it as a worksheet to help prepare the applicant.
  • The case manager and applicant should actively seek the necessary documentation and information about resources, income, living arrangement, and immigration status to help avoid delays in the process.

Potential for Partnership with SSA

Completing the paper form of the SSA-8000 has benefits for the applicant and SSA.

  • This can allow the applicant to tackle the information in smaller chunks of time.
  • It is particularly useful for individuals who find it extremely difficult to leave their “spot” (such as a camp or park bench) or who are extremely uncomfortable going to a government office.
  • Applicants with active symptoms may find it difficult to complete the entire application in a single interview.
  • The SSA claims representative can spend less time during the interview when the form has been completed and necessary documentation has been prepared.

Since SSI is based on need, SSA must gather a great deal of information including resources, income, and living arrangement. Two other areas that affect eligibility are legal status and citizenship/residency. For more information on these topics, please view our Criminal Justice resources (legal status) or SSA's website (citizenship/residency).

Details

Type:
SSA Forms
Date:
April, 2017

Other Details