If the individual expresses a need for financial or medical assistance, be sure to discuss the SSI program.

Explain that eligibility for SSI payments is based on need and that income and resource limits are specified by law. Ensure that the claimant understands they must report any bank account on which their name appears regardless of any special purpose for which the account may have been established or whose money it is. (See SI 01140.200 for the policy on financial institutional accounts.)

Explain any SSI policies specific to the individual's situation that may help them decide whether or not to file, or which may impact on eligibility for benefits or payment amount. You may provide copies of the appropriate “SSI Spotlights” which can be accessed using any of the sources listed in SI 00601.060B.

NOTE: Any discussion about SSI eligibility may establish a SSI oral inquiry and protect the claimant's filing date. (See SI 00601.025 for the policy on oral inquiries.)

Explain the SSI policies on burial funds (SI 01130.410) and spaces (SI 01130.400) to those claimants who appear to be ineligible based on excess resources since these policies may result in eligibility for SSI benefits. See SI 00601.060B. for accessing the SSI Spotlight on Burial Funds.

Explain conditional benefits (SI 01150.200 - SI 01150.210) to individuals whose:

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  resources exceed the limit due to excess nonliquid resources, and

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  liquid resources do not exceed triple the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) or do not exceed triple the FBR by a great deal.

Advise blind or disabled individuals of the various work incentives (WI) (SI 00870.010). If the individual expresses an interest in working or wants more information about WIs, provide the appropriate Spotlights (see SI 00601.060B.), SSA Publication No. 05-10060 Incentives To Help You Return To Work, and other public information materials.

Advise an individual who appears potentially eligible that SSA will require proof of statements made on the application and that verification will be made with other sources.

Advise the individual of the right to file an application and receive a formal determination.

Explain that an individual has the right to appeal initial determinations made on the claim.

Select the SSA-8000-BK/full MSSICS path or SSA-8001-BK/deferred or abbreviated MSSICS path as appropriate.

NOTE: If an informal denial is applicable or the individual does not wish to file, close out the oral inquiry per SI 00601.040C.2.

Advise an individual of the SSI payment amount if a benefit estimate is requested. (See SI 02005.001 - SI 02005.095 for computation of benefits.) Use the living arrangement, which is likely to apply and consider income/resource exclusions, which might apply. Advise the individual that this is only an estimate and that the exact amount cannot be determined until all development and verification are completed.

Explore eligibility for other benefits; e.g., title II based on the claimant's SSN (or the SSN of a spouse, former spouse, or parent, etc.) and Medicare.

If the individual decides to file for SSI and agrees to file for title II, take a separate title II application when you take the title XVI application unless one of the exceptions in SI 00601.035B.2. applies. See SI 00601.035 for the policy and procedures for adjudicating title II when a title XVI application is filed. Also see SI 00510.001 - SI 00510.025 for the policy on filing for other benefits.

NOTE: Explore eligibility for other benefits administered by SSA and ask the individual if they wish to file even if they decide not to file for SSI benefits.

Explain the program requirement that the individual must file for any other benefits for which they may be eligible and make the appropriate referrals. (See SI 00510.001 - SI 00510.010 for the policy on filing for other benefits.)

Determine the need for non-SSA services and make the necessary referrals. (See GN 00903.010.)

Obtain queries on all Social Security Numbers (SSNs) the claimant alleges to determine whether prior filings for title II and title XVI exist and the status of those claims.

Verify the claimant's identity per the instructions in SI 00601.062.

Explain the Privacy Act, including computer matching. Give the claimant a copy of the SSA-5000 (Collection and Use of Information by the Social Security Administration) and the SSA-3157 (Facts About Computer Matching) per GN 03360.015B.2. unless you have taken a paper application (a paragraph about computer matching is printed on the tear off sheet of the SSA-8000-BK and SSA-8001-BK).

Explain that providing false information is a violation of Federal law, which may lead to prosecution by the U.S. Government.

Explore eligibility for title II and title XVI benefits for other persons named on the application. (See SI 00601.020 for establishing a protective filing for SSI for individuals named on the application.)

Identify the specific types of development/documentation necessary at this point. Issue an SSA-L8009-U3, (Important Information (IC)), if appropriate per SI 00601.110 and SI 00601.120.

Consider whether the case meets the requirements for a presumptive disability/presumptive blindness (PD/PB) determination (DI 23535.001) or terminal illness (TERI) (DI 11005.601). DI 11005.006 provides special processing instructions for disability claims resulting from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Aged aliens who were lawfully residing in the U.S. on 8/22/96 and are blind or disabled may be eligible for SSI benefits. (See SI 00502.142 for the eligibility requirements.) Therefore, when interviewing aged aliens, be alert to the existence of medically determinable impairments commonly associated with the aging process, e.g., osteoporosis, arthritis, vision and hearing loss, and memory loss. Question claimants specifically about these impairments during the initial interview. Also, question these individuals about daily activities and limitations, especially when there is limited or no history of medical treatment.

Do not give applications and other disability-related forms to aged aliens to complete on a self-help basis unless there is no alternative. Assist claimants in completing these forms.

If interpreter services are needed, see GN 00203.011. Also notify the disability determination services (DDS) on the SSA-831-C3/U3 that interpreter services will be needed at the consultative examination.

NOTE: A disability determination is needed to establish eligibility. (See SI 00502.142.)

Consider whether the case meets the requirements for an Emergency Advance Payment (SI 02004.005).

Obtain the name, address and telephone number of a third party if the claimant is homeless or you think you may have difficulty obtaining the information/evidence needed to adjudicate the claim (e.g., claimant is mentally impaired or is non-English speaking). (See GN 00203.011 for non-English speaking claimants.) Remember that the third party may be an individual such as a relative or friend or a service provider such as a shelter or food pantry through whom you can contact the claimant.

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  Advise the applicant of the reporting responsibilities and the penalty provision for failure to make a timely report. For more information on reporting responsibilities and the penalty provision, see SI 02301.005 and SI 02301.100.

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  Provide the applicant with the “Receipt for SSI Claim” and “Changes to Report” tear off page of the application at the conclusion of the interview if it is signed or mail it to the applicant when you receive the signed application.