Massachusetts SSI State Supplement Program (SSP)
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a federal program of the Social Security Administration that makes monthly payments to certain people who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Massachusetts adds more money to SSI payments for Massachusetts residents. This is called the SSI State Supplement Program, or SSP.
Before April 1, 2012, the federal government administered both the federal SSI payment and the Massachusetts SSP payment. Monthly payments from the Social Security Administration included both the federal SSI payment and the SSP payment.
Starting with the April 2012 payment, Massachusetts now sends state supplemental payments to SSP recipients directly. The federal government continues to send SSI payments separately.
Massachusetts has always funded the SSI state supplement. Until April 2012, the state paid the federal government to manage the SSI State Supplement Program. It costs the state less money to manage this program itself.
The Massachusetts agencies responsible for administering the SSP are the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Please see
a letter from the Commissioners to SSP Recipients 
.
More Information:
- Applying for SSI and SSP
- SSP Eligibility and Payments
- SSP Income Verification
- Designated Payees
- Access to SSP Recipient Record and Information
- Changes to an SSP Recipient Case
- SSP Forms
- Additional Resources: Where to Find More Information
- Contact Information
Applying for SSI and SSP
Individuals who wish to receive SSI State Supplement Program (SSP) payments must first apply for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments through the Social Security Administration (SSA). To find out more about applying for SSI or to inquire about SSI eligibility, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or visit www.ssa.gov/ssi.
SSP Eligibility and Payments
SSP Eligibility: SSP payments are based on eligibility for SSI payments from the Social Security Administration. In some cases, an individual may have income that is too high for an SSI payment but may still qualify for a payment from the state. When SSA makes a federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment, Massachusetts also sends a separate SSP payment. For individuals who receive only the SSP payment amount, they are sent one payment on the first of each month from the state.
SSP Payment Amounts: This chart shows the federal and state payment levels for Calendar Year (CY) 2012:
SSP Payment Levels CY 2012 
SSP Payment Methods: SSP payments are made in the same method that an individual receives SSI payments, either by check or by direct deposit (including SSI Direct Express). SSP payments are made available on the same day as SSI payments. Those who receive both SSI and SSP will receive two checks or two direct deposits, one from SSA and one from the state. Those who receive only SSP will receive one check or one direct deposit from the state.
Checks: SSP checks (see sample below) have a message on them to remind recipients that the payment has come from the state instead of SSA.
Direct Deposit: The notation that appears with an SSP direct deposit credit on bank statements is "SSI SUPP". This change was effective with April 2012 payments.
SSP Income Verification
Massachusetts is responsible for issuing SSP income verification statements as of April 1, 2012.
SSP Recipients (or their representatives or designated payees) requesting an income verification from SSP, please call SSP Customer Service at 1-877-863-1128.
Agencies and Institutions requesting SSP income verification for multiple recipients, please download a copy of the SSP Request for Multiple Income Verifications Form below. Enter the required information, sign and date, and return to SSP Customer Service by mail ( PO Box 15661, Worcester, MA 01615-0661), or by fax (1-877-533-4383).
Request for Multiple Income Verifications
Designated Payees
SSI recipients may have a Representative Payee to help them manage their case. SSP recipients may have help managing their case from a Designated Payee. Designated Payees receive SSP payments and notices on behalf of recipients and should ensure that their contact information on record with SSP is accurate and up to date.
Representative Payees with SSA automatically become Designated Payees for SSP. Recipients who only receive SSP payments and wish to appoint a Designated Payee should contact SSP Customer Service at 1-877-863-1128.
Access to SSP Recipient Record and Information
An SSP recipient who wishes to authorize another individual to have access to his or her SSP record and information should complete and return a Request for Access to SSP Recipient Record and Information form. This will give the individual named on the form permission to contact SSP on the recipient’s behalf to discuss the recipient’s case. To stop this permission, the recipient should call SSP Customer Service at 1-877-863-1128.
Request for Access to SSP Record
Changes to an SSP Recipient Case
Recipients who receive federal SSI payments from the Social Security Administration should notify SSA of any changes to their case, including address, phone number, income and payment method, in accordance with SSA program rules. The Social Security Administration notifies SSP on a daily basis of any changes in SSI cases.
Recipients who only receive a payment from the state should contact SSP Customer Service at 1-877-863-1128 to report or request any changes.
SSP Forms
Additional Resources: Where to Find More Information
Department of Transitional Assistance: www.mass.gov/dta
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind: www.mass.gov/mcb
Social Security Administration: www.socialsecurity.gov
Contact Information
To Contact the SSP Program
SSP Customer Service: 1-877-863-1128. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Information and Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: www.mass.gov/massrelay.
To Contact the SSI Program
Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213.