Federal Programs (SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP) Research : Programs Basics

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based financial assistance program "designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people . . . It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter." (Social Security Administration (SSA) website)

For the most part, SSI is governed by federal law and administered by a federal agency, SSA. The SSA is also principally responsible for administering other government benefits including social security disability insurance and social security (retirement).

The SSA Website offers information and materials on SSI including:

• Understanding SSI
• SSI publications
• SSI eligibility rules
• SSI in New York

Medicaid is a health insurance and long-term care program primarily for low-income persons and, in some cases, for individuals with certain medical conditions. Medicaid is governed by a mixture of federal and state laws.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within the Department of Health and Human Services administers federal aspects of the Medicaid program. States implement Medicaid programs in compliance with federal law.

The CMS Website offers information and materials on Medicaid:

• Medicaid main web page
• Medicaid overview
• Medicaid & CHIP Eligibility Levels

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the food stamps program, is a need-based benefit that assists food purchases. SNAP is, for the most part, governed by federal laws but often administered on a state level.

The Department of Agriculture administers federal aspects of various nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP.

The Dept. of Agriculture Website offers information and materials on food programs:

• Food assistance main web page
• SNAP main web page
• SNAP research page
• SNAP eligibility