The term “needs-based” refers to the fact that Medicaid is only available to people who make less than a certain income and/or have only a certain number of assets. Here are some examples of the monetary benefits typically received, under SSI:
- A single individual qualifying for SSI can receive up to $674 and a married person can receive up to $1,011, plus state additions to those benefits.
- A single person who earns more than $674 (or other amounts, depending on the state he or she lives in) and has assets worth more than $2,000 may not be eligible for SSI and/or state Medicaid, depending on the circumstances. Married couples typically can have up to $2,250 or $3,000 in assets, depending on their state.