Joseph Shapiro

Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.

Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.

Karen Williams couldn't work because of a disability. She was struggling to pay for her everyday expenses. But she was proud of how she managed the little money she did have.

But it wasn't enough. One of her health care providers told her about this program called SSI. So she applied. And the monthly benefit, she got several hundred dollars a month, was a relief. It made her life better. It helped her get by, at least for a while. Then the program turned into her nightmare.

But it wasn't enough. One of her health care providers told her about this program called SSI. So she applied. And the monthly benefit, she got several hundred dollars a month, was a relief. It made her life better. It helped her get by, at least for a while. Then the program turned into her nightmare.

But it wasn't enough. One of her health care providers told her about this program called SSI. So she applied. And the monthly benefit, she got several hundred dollars a month, was a relief. It made her life better. It helped her get by, at least for a while. Then the program turned into her nightmare.

SSI is run by the Social Security Administration. It provides financial assistance in the form of a monthly check, mostly to adults with physical disabilities or they're blind or they have mental health disabilities. Some checks go to disabled children and also to people 65 and older who are very poor.

SSI is run by the Social Security Administration. It provides financial assistance in the form of a monthly check, mostly to adults with physical disabilities or they're blind or they have mental health disabilities. Some checks go to disabled children and also to people 65 and older who are very poor.

SSI is run by the Social Security Administration. It provides financial assistance in the form of a monthly check, mostly to adults with physical disabilities or they're blind or they have mental health disabilities. Some checks go to disabled children and also to people 65 and older who are very poor.

Yes, those SSI checks, those are lifelines to some of the poorest people in this country. And this year, the average SSI check is about $700 a month. The money helps people pay for everyday expenses, food, rent, medical costs, and it qualifies them in most states for health insurance through Medicaid.

Yes, those SSI checks, those are lifelines to some of the poorest people in this country. And this year, the average SSI check is about $700 a month. The money helps people pay for everyday expenses, food, rent, medical costs, and it qualifies them in most states for health insurance through Medicaid.

Yes, those SSI checks, those are lifelines to some of the poorest people in this country. And this year, the average SSI check is about $700 a month. The money helps people pay for everyday expenses, food, rent, medical costs, and it qualifies them in most states for health insurance through Medicaid.

Yes, so a forgotten safety net because SSI was this bold and innovative program when it was created back in 1972. And this may be surprising, but the idea started with President Richard Nixon. He proposed replacing the existing federal welfare system with a guaranteed basic income to impoverished Americans. They'd get monthly vouchers and they could spend the money how they wanted.

Yes, so a forgotten safety net because SSI was this bold and innovative program when it was created back in 1972. And this may be surprising, but the idea started with President Richard Nixon. He proposed replacing the existing federal welfare system with a guaranteed basic income to impoverished Americans. They'd get monthly vouchers and they could spend the money how they wanted.

Yes, so a forgotten safety net because SSI was this bold and innovative program when it was created back in 1972. And this may be surprising, but the idea started with President Richard Nixon. He proposed replacing the existing federal welfare system with a guaranteed basic income to impoverished Americans. They'd get monthly vouchers and they could spend the money how they wanted.

And Nixon got support on the right and from some on the left. But in the end, his plan failed. Just one part survived, a monthly check to poor, disabled, and elderly people. It was an easier case to make because these were considered among the most so-called deserving of the poor. And that's how SSI was created. But in 52 years, the program has been largely forgotten by lawmakers and policymakers.

And Nixon got support on the right and from some on the left. But in the end, his plan failed. Just one part survived, a monthly check to poor, disabled, and elderly people. It was an easier case to make because these were considered among the most so-called deserving of the poor. And that's how SSI was created. But in 52 years, the program has been largely forgotten by lawmakers and policymakers.

And Nixon got support on the right and from some on the left. But in the end, his plan failed. Just one part survived, a monthly check to poor, disabled, and elderly people. It was an easier case to make because these were considered among the most so-called deserving of the poor. And that's how SSI was created. But in 52 years, the program has been largely forgotten by lawmakers and policymakers.

Its rules are frozen in place at standards from 40 to 50 years ago.

Its rules are frozen in place at standards from 40 to 50 years ago.