OHIO — More families may soon be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits thanks to a new expansion.

What You Need To Know

  •  In the new expansion, SSI is looking to redefine what constitutes a public assistance household 

  •  This would benefit SSI recipients and those looking qualify for SSI

  • The expansion would also increase payment amounts for some households 

Right now, for a household to be called a public assistance household, the Social Security Administration requires all household members to receive public assistance.

But with the new expansion, the agency would only require one SSI applicant or recipient, and at least one other person who receives one or more forms of public income maintenance. People currently receiving supplemental security income may be also eligible to get more money with the expansion.

“Having that extra income just for our state of mind, for our mental health will make it a lot better, because that would be one huge part that we don’t have to worry about,” said Shawn Lankford, the husband and father of Social Security recipients.

With the new expansion, people who are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will also be considered a part of public assistance. The expansion will begin on September 30.