WHAT IF I AM HOMELESS?

If you are homeless, you have the same rights and privileges in applying for benefits as someone who is not homeless.

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS IF I AM HOMELESS?

If you are homeless, some of the ways you can receive your SSI benefits. You may:

	have your benefits deposited directly into your personal bank account;
	have your benefits mailed to a third party;
	have a relative or other third party be assigned as your representative payee;
	have your benefits directed to a Direct Express debit bank card.

DOES LIVING IN AN INSTITUTION AFFECT MY SSI BENEFITS?

Yes. Living in a shelter, medical treatment facility, or a correctional facility may affect your SSI benefits. Living in a public institution may make you ineligible for benefits.

For further information about institutionalization, please refer to the Spotlights on Living Arrangements , Continued Benefits for Persons who are Temporarily Institutionalized, and Prerelease Procedure . Also see information on the Representative Payment Program.

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HELP FOR THE HOMELESS?

Social Security is an active participant in the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).  The mission of the USICH is to “coordinate the Federal response to homelessness and to create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government in contributing to the end of homelessness.”Please visit Social Security’s Homelessness website at www.ssa.gov/homelessness for more information.

The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a national program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by SSA for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. Please visit SOAR’s website at https://soarworks.prainc.com/ for more information.