State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Alabama. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Income and Social Security
Alabama SSI supplement
Alabama adds a small state payment to SSI only for people who need hands-on care at home or in a licensed foster home. It is not paid to older people just because they live on their own.
The Department of Human Resources runs it, and you apply at your county DHR office after Social Security approves your SSI.
How to apply in Alabama
- In person
- Your county Department of Human Resources office, after Social Security approves your SSI
Who may qualify in Alabama
| Must get SSI | You must apply for SSI and be approved before you can apply for the state supplement |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | People certified as needing care at home or in a licensed foster home who are also on Alabama's Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver |
Source: Alabama Department of Human Resources (Alabama Legislative Services Agency) (source 1)
What you may get
| Monthly supplement, one person living on their own (2026) | None unless you are certified as needing care at home |
|---|
Source: Alabama Department of Human Resources (Alabama Legislative Services Agency) (source 1)
How Alabama is different
Where Alabama's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid separately by the state; apply with your county Department of Human Resources office
- Paid only to people who need certified care at home or in a foster home and are on the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver
Source: Alabama Department of Human Resources (Alabama Legislative Services Agency) (source 1)
Good to know
- The state may freeze the number of people it pays when the money set aside for the program runs out.
Source: Alabama Department of Human Resources (Alabama Legislative Services Agency) (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Alabama
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Alabama
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- Alabama Department of Human Resources (Alabama Legislative Services Agency), Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 660-2-4, State Supplementation (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Alabama Department of Human Resources, County Office Contact (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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