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.