Problems in Administering Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled

Congress established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program to replace State programs for aiding needy, aged, blind, and disabled persons. After the program became effective, many benefit payment errors, delays, and other difficulties prompted numerous public complaints, State criticisms, and congressional inquiries about the way the Social Security Administration (SSA) was operating the new program.