Millions of seniors and people with disabilities rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet. There are people relying on this to survive in every community in the country.  [In December 2015, there were 123,207 Mississippians receiving SSI benefits.]
The majority of the recipients are women, and the program is especially beneficial for people of color and people with limited English proficiency. It’s also an essential safety net for older adults who do not receive sufficient Social Security income because they worked in low-wage or seasonal jobs, or stayed home from work to care for family members.
With leaders in Congress intent on cutting safety net benefits, it’s critical that advocates proactively educate lawmakers, the media, and fellow advocates about the important role of this plays in ensuring that some of the most vulnerable people in our communities can meet their basic needs for shelter, food, and other necessities.
A new, easy to understand Justice in Aging SSI fact sheet (at link below) shows who relies on SSI, why it’s important, and the dangers cuts to the program would pose for low-income families and communities.
http://www.justiceinaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/F_SSI-Fact-Sheet-2017.pdf
For more questions and concerns on this topic, contact the experienced lawyers at Courtney Elder Law Associates by calling 601-987-3000.