Supplemental Security Income: Growth and Changes in Recipient Population Call for Reexamining Program - Government Accountability Office (GAO) report

Supplemental Security Income: Growth and Changes in Recipient Population Call for Reexamining Program - GAO Report

Date:	July 7, 1995
Report No.:	HEHS-95-137
Pages:	44
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Subjects: Beneficiaries Aid for the disabled Disability benefits Disadvantaged persons Eligibility criteria Federal social security programs Income maintenance programs Medicaid Persons with disabilities Resident aliens Social security benefits Supplemental security income AFDC Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program Food Stamp Program OASDI Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance Program Social Security Disability Insurance Program Summary: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is the largest cash assistance program for the poor and one of the fastest growing entitlement programs; program costs have risen 20 percent annually during the least four years. SSI provides means-tested income support payment to aged, blind, or disabled persons. Last year, more than 6 million persons received about $25 billion in federal and state benefits. In response to SSI's rapid growth, Congress passed legislation limiting drug addicts' benefits, and this year it is considering further restrictions for these recipients as well as for children and noncitizens. This report provides an overview of the SSI program and its recent history. Specifically, it examines factors contributing to caseload growth and changes in the characteristics of SSI recipients.