Washington, DC — Today, the Board released its 2025 Statement on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a program for people with low income and resources who either have a qualifying disability or are age 65 or older. The report focuses on SSI in United States territories.
Of the five US Territories, only the residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (2020 pop. 47,329) are eligible for SSI. Residents of Puerto Rico (2020 pop. 3,285,874), Guam (2020 pop. 153,836), and the US Virgin Islands (2020 pop. 87,146), cannot receive SSI, but those territories have alternative block grant programs established through the Social Security Act. Residents of American Samoa (2020 pop. 49,710) are not eligible for SSI or an alternative block grant.
The 2025 SSI Statement provides a history of SSI and alternative block grant programs in United States territories. It also describes current similarities and differences between SSI and the block grant programs. The Board hopes that this information will be useful to policymakers.
Access Previous SSI Statements
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The Board’s mission is to advise the President, Congress, and Commissioner of Social Security on the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs. It is composed of Presidential and Congressional appointees with professional staff.