FACT: \”The SSI\” (Supplemental Security Income) \”program is a nationwide Federal assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that guarantees a minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. It acts as a safety net for individuals who have little or no Social Security or other income and limited resources.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”In January 2005, nearly eight million disabled workers and their dependents received DI\” (Disability Insurance) \”benefits, double the number of beneficiaries in 1985 (about a 100% increase). Nearly six million disabled adults and children received SSI disability payments, more than double the number in 1985 (a 130% increase).\” [Administrative Review Process for Adjudicating Initial Disability Claims. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”In fiscal year 2005, the State disability determination services (DDSs) processed more than 2.6 million initial claims for DI benefits and SSI based on disability or blindness. Our hearing offices processed approximately 500,000 disability claims on behalf of claimants who appealed their denials.\” [Administrative Review Process for Adjudicating Initial Disability Claims. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”In January 2006, 6.9 million individuals received monthly Federal SSI payments averaging $422 versus 6.8 million with an average payment of $404 in January 2005.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”Only 0.55 percent of all DI beneficiaries work and earn enough to leave the disability rolls permanently (benefit termination), while only 0.2 percent work and earn enough to leave the rolls temporarily (benefit suspension). Only 0.4 percent of SSI disabled beneficiaries earn enough to leave the SSI payment rolls.\” [SSA Strategic Plan 2003-2008. Social Security Administration. 2003.]

FACT: \”We are developing a benefit offset demonstration that will reduce DI benefits by $1 for every $2 earned over a certain threshold. Currently, a beneficiary could lose DI entitlement, and therefore all benefit payments, as soon as earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity level. This potential loss of benefits and eventually the corresponding access to Medicare benefits is thought to discourage many beneficiaries from attempting to work.\” [Administrative Review Process for Adjudicating Initial Disability Claims. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”Federal expenditures for cash payments under the SSI program during calendar year 2005 increased 5.2 percent to $36.0 billion, and the cost of administering the SSI program in fiscal year 2005 remained level at $2.8 billion. In calendar year 2004 the corresponding Federal program expenditures were $34.2 billion.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”By 2030, the end of the 25-year projection period, the Federal SSI recipient population is estimated to reach 8.8 million. The projected growth in the SSI program over the 25-year period is largely due to the overall growth in the U.S. population. The rate of participation is projected to vary somewhat by age group, with the overall participation of the 65 or older age groups projected to decline and the participation of the under-65 age groups projected to increase slightly.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”Expressed as a percentage of the total U.S. population, the number of Federal SSI recipients increased slightly to 2.25 percent in 2005, and is projected to increase gradually to 2.45 percent of the population by 2030.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: The demographic breakdown of those who received SSI Federal Payments in 2005 was Disabled under Age 18: 18%; Disabled 18-64: 62.1%; Aged (age 65 or over): 11.5%; Disabled and Age 65 or older – 8.4%. [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”Federal expenditures for SSI payments in calendar year 2006 are estimated to increase by $2.1 billion to $38.1 billion, an increase of 5.8 percent from 2005 levels.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”In constant 2006 dollars, Federal expenditures for SSI payments are projected to increase to $48.5 billion in 2030, a real increase of 1.1 percent per year.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]

FACT: \”When compared to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Federal SSI expenditures are projected to decline over time, from the current level of 0.29 percent of GDP in 2005 to 0.24 percent of GDP by 2030.\” [Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program. Social Security Administration. 2006.]