Under Social Security, those over 65 who are blind or disabled may be eligible for SSI benefits. The SSI (Supplemental Security Income) program was designed to provide assistance to those blind and disabled people who are already on Social Security but have low income and few resources. They must have been diagnosed with a mental or physical condition that is supposed to last at least a year or lead to death. Those who receive benefits are subject to reviews to ensure they are still eligible for the program. These benefits are also dependent upon being able to prove a lack of income and resources, and when determining this, many factors such as many of the resources they have are actually not used in determining if they will receive benefits. It is highly advised that those seeking SSI benefits apply immediately, as the process for filing claims typically takes a few months. An individual can earn up to $653 a month, or $980 for couples. The average payment is around $473 a month for individuals. SSI beneficiaries can also receive aid from other programs, such as food stamps.