SSI is a federal program from the Social Security Administration that gives monthly benefits to low-income people. NOTE: SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. You can only get SSDI if you have worked a certain amount of time and earned a certain amount of money.
To get SSI, you have to be 65 or older or so disabled you can’t work. There are more rules and limits if you are a noncitizen. Even if you are in the U.S. permanently and legally and you are at least 65 or disabled, you may not be able to get SSI.