Can my 65-year-old brother with no work history qualify for any Social Security benefits?

YES he can probably get SSI!! Supplemental Security Income is exactly for people with no work history who are either disabled or over 65. Since he's 65, he might qualify based on age alone without needing a disability determination. He'll need to apply though and they'll check his resources - but if he really has nothing, he should qualify. The max payment is around $950/month in 2025. You should call again and specifically ask about SSI for elderly with no work history.

Your brother sounds like a perfect candidate for SSI (Supplemental Security Income). It's specifically designed for people who are 65+ OR disabled AND have limited income and resources. Since he's 65, he wouldn't necessarily need to prove disability, though his mental health issues might qualify him that way too if needed. The key requirements are: - Being 65+ or disabled - Having very limited income (under about $950/month in 2025) - Having limited resources (under $2,000 in assets) - Being a U.S. citizen or qualified alien The application process involves verifying his identity, age, residence, and financial situation. They'll need his bank records (if he has any), proof of living arrangement, and possibly medical records if going the disability route. One challenge you might face is that he'll need to participate in the application process at some point, even if you help with most of it. SSA will need to interview him.

I had a similar situation with my sister who has severe anxiety. Calling SSA is IMPOSSIBLE these days - I spent weeks trying to get through just to ask basic questions about her eligibility for SSI. After 20+ attempts, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through, the agent was able to tell me exactly what documents we needed and even helped me schedule an appointment for her application. They also explained that I could help my sister with most of the process as a designated helper, but she would need to participate in at least part of the interview.

SSI is definitely what you want to look into. My neighbor got it for her adult son who never worked. BUT be warned they're gonna ask a ton of personal questions about his living arrangements with you! They might count your housing as "in-kind support" and reduce his payment if he doesn't pay rent. Also they'll want bank statements and EVERYTHING to prove he has no assets.

You might wanna consider becoming his representative payee. My brother has been on SSI for 10 years (mental health issues too) and I manage his benefits. SSA will evaluate if he needs a payee based on his ability to manage funds. It's paperwork but worth it if he struggles with financial decisions. You'd receive his payments and be responsible for using them for his needs and reporting how money was spent.

I used to work for a social services agency. Here's what you should know about SSI for your brother: 1. Yes, he absolutely can qualify with no work history - that's exactly what SSI is for 2. The base eligibility is being 65+ OR disabled AND having limited resources 3. Since he's 65, you don't necessarily need to prove disability (though it might increase options) 4. Maximum federal payment is around $950/month in 2025 (some states add a supplement) 5. His living with you affects the benefit amount - they'll count your housing as "in-kind support" 6. He'll need to attend at least one interview, but you can request accommodations Start by applying online at ssa.gov or call to schedule an appointment. You can help with paperwork, but he'll need to be involved at some point. Bring his ID, birth certificate, any medical records, bank statements, and housing details.

my cousin didnt work ever and gets ssi checks but she had to do the interview thing and it was super stressful. they asked her tons of questions about money and family and stuff. good luck!!

One more thing to consider!! Even if he gets SSI, it's not a lot of money (max around $950/month for 2025). He should also apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) and Medicaid at your local social services office. These programs work together with SSI to provide better support. Some states automatically enroll SSI recipients in Medicaid, but not all do.

Has your brother EVER worked, even for short periods? If he has at least 6 credits (about 1.5 years of work), he might qualify for a very small SSDI benefit depending on when he worked. Most people focus just on SSI but it's worth checking if there's any work history at all.

If he absolutely refuses to participate in the SSI application process, you might want to look into legal guardianship or conservatorship. It's a complicated process but might be necessary if his mental health issues are severe enough that he can't make financial decisions for himself. Might be worth consulting with an elder law attorney about your options.

One more crucial thing: once he's on SSI, if he ever receives money from ANY source (gift, inheritance, lottery, etc.), he MUST report it immediately. SSI has very strict income and resource limits ($2,000 in assets). I've seen people lose benefits because a well-meaning family member gave them money and they didn't report it.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation. As someone who went through a similar process with my elderly father, I want to emphasize that SSI is definitely the right path for your brother. The good news is that at 65, he automatically meets the age requirement without needing to prove disability. A few practical tips from my experience: - When you do get through to SSA, ask specifically about "third party assistance" - they can walk you through how much you can help with the application - Consider contacting your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have staff who specialize in helping seniors navigate SSI applications and can sometimes accompany people to appointments - Document everything about his current living situation and expenses now, as they'll ask detailed questions about household arrangements The mental health piece is actually worth mentioning during the application even if you're applying based on age - it might qualify him for additional supports or accommodations during the process. Don't give up - you're being an amazing advocate for your brother, and there IS help available.

I just want to say how much I admire you for taking care of your brother and advocating for him. This is exactly the kind of situation SSI was designed for - he's 65 with no work history and limited resources, which makes him a strong candidate. One thing that might help with his anxiety around the application process: you can request a "collateral contact" interview where SSA speaks with you about his situation while he's present but doesn't have to do much talking. Also, many SSA offices have social workers who are experienced with clients who have mental health challenges and can make accommodations. I'd suggest starting the application online at ssa.gov if possible - it's less intimidating than a phone call and you can save your progress. Even if he needs to complete parts of it, having most of the information already filled out makes the process much smoother. Don't forget to also connect with your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local organizations that help with SSI applications and other senior services. You're doing everything right, and there really is light at the end of this tunnel!

I work as a benefits counselor and want to add a few important points that might help your situation. Since your brother is 65, he definitely qualifies for SSI based on age alone - no disability determination needed. The current federal payment is $967/month for 2025. However, since he's living in your home rent-free, SSA will likely reduce his payment by about 1/3 (roughly $322) due to "in-kind support and maintenance." This still leaves him with around $645/month, which is substantial help. For the application process, you can absolutely help him as an "appointed representative" - you'll need to complete form SSA-1696. This allows you to speak with SSA on his behalf and handle most paperwork. He'll still need to sign the application and participate in at least a brief interview, but accommodations can be made for anxiety. One strategy that works well: schedule the appointment for first thing in the morning when offices are less crowded and he might feel less overwhelmed. You can also request the interview be conducted with you present as support. Start gathering documents now: his birth certificate, Social Security card, any ID, bank statements (even if showing $0), and details about his living arrangement with you. The sooner you apply, the sooner benefits can start - and they can be retroactive to the application date.

I wanted to add something that might be really helpful for your situation. Since your brother has undiagnosed mental health issues and refuses to see doctors, you should know that SSA can arrange for a consultative examination (CE) if they need medical evidence during the SSI process. This is a one-time appointment with an SSA-approved doctor, and while it's not required for age-based SSI eligibility, it could be beneficial. The reason I mention this is that if his mental health conditions are severe enough, he might qualify for SSI based on disability rather than just age. Disability-based SSI sometimes has fewer restrictions and could potentially result in a higher payment or additional benefits. The consultative exam is usually shorter and less intimidating than regular doctor visits. Also, once he's approved for SSI, he'll automatically qualify for Medicaid in most states, which could finally get him access to mental health services he needs - even if he's initially reluctant. Sometimes having insurance makes people more willing to try getting help. Just wanted you to know this option exists, even though the age-based application is definitely the simpler route to start with. You're doing an amazing job advocating for him!

I'm going through something very similar with my aging mother, so I really feel for what you're dealing with. Based on my research and experience, your brother should absolutely qualify for SSI - at 65 with no income or assets, he meets the basic requirements perfectly. A few things that helped me navigate this process: - Don't give up on calling SSA, but try calling right at 8am when they open - I had much better luck getting through early - When you do get someone on the phone, specifically ask about "aged blind and disabled" SSI applications and mention he's 65 with no work history - You can request a phone interview instead of in-person, which might be less stressful for him - Consider reaching out to your local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors - they often help with SSI applications too and are usually easier to reach than SSA directly The waiting and uncertainty is really hard, but there IS help available for people in exactly his situation. That's literally what SSI was created for. Stay persistent - you're being such a good advocate for him, and it will pay off. Feel free to update us on how it goes!

I wanted to share something that might help with the application process. My brother was in a very similar situation - 66 with severe social anxiety and no work history. What ended up working for us was contacting our local Disability Determination Services office directly instead of going through the main SSA line. They were much more knowledgeable about SSI specifically and could walk me through exactly what accommodations were available for people with anxiety disorders. They also told me something important: even though he qualifies based on age alone, if his mental health issues are documented at all (even through the SSI process), he might be eligible for expedited processing as a "presumptive disability" case. This could get his benefits started faster while they complete the full review. The other thing that really helped was keeping a simple daily log for a few weeks before applying - noting his anxiety levels, any interactions with people, basic daily activities. It wasn't required, but it gave me concrete examples to share about how his mental health affects his daily functioning. The SSA interviewer said it was really helpful context. Don't lose hope - the system is set up to help people exactly like your brother. You're already doing everything right by advocating for him and gathering information. He's lucky to have someone who cares so much fighting for him!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when helping my elderly neighbor with SSI. Your brother definitely sounds like he qualifies - 65+ with no work history and limited resources is exactly what SSI covers. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that you might want to apply ASAP even if you're not 100% ready with all documents. SSI benefits start from the application date, not the approval date, so there's a real financial advantage to getting the application in quickly. You can always submit additional paperwork later. Also, if your brother does get approved, make sure to ask about state supplemental payments. Some states add extra money on top of the federal SSI payment - it's not much, but every little bit helps when you're living on such a tight budget. The housing reduction that others mentioned is real, but honestly, getting $645/month plus automatic Medicaid eligibility is still life-changing for someone with zero income. You're doing an amazing thing for your brother, and I really hope this works out for both of you!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience as someone who recently went through the SSI application process with my aunt. Your brother absolutely qualifies - the combination of being 65+ with no work history and limited resources is exactly what SSI is designed for. A few things that really helped us: - We started the application online at ssa.gov even though she was nervous about technology. You can save your progress and come back to it, which took a lot of pressure off - The local Legal Aid office had a benefits specialist who helped us prepare for the interview and explained what questions to expect - We brought a simple one-page summary of her living situation, income sources (none), and basic medical info to the appointment - the interviewer really appreciated having everything laid out clearly The hardest part was honestly just getting started, but once we submitted the application, the process moved pretty smoothly. Your brother is fortunate to have someone advocating for him so thoughtfully. The fact that you're researching all this and gathering information shows how much you care, and that advocacy will make all the difference in getting him the help he needs and deserves.