Cash Assistance
Social Security
Supplemental Security Income
Wyoming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Social Security
Social Security is a federal program that gives money each month to people who qualify. How much you get depends on:
- how long you have worked
- how much money you earned
- where you worked, and
- your age when you began getting benefits.
Who can apply?
- Workers who are 62 or older,
- people with disabilities, or
- the spouse and children of a deceased or disabled worker who paid into the Social Security program.
How can I apply?
Online: You can find out if you qualify for Social Security Benefits by using the screening tool on the Social Security website.
Retirement Benefits:
If you qualify, you can apply for retirement benefits online.
You can also make an appointment at your local Social Security Office. To find your local Social Security Office, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free and tell the operator where you live.
Disability Benefits:
If you plan to ask for disability benefits, you might want to talk to a lawyer. There are lawyers who specialize in this area of the law. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
You must apply for disability benefits in person. You can also make an appointment at your local Social Security Office. To find your local Social Security Office, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free and tell the operator where you live.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal program that gives extra money each month to people who qualify.
Who can apply for SSI?
You qualify if you are 65 or older, are blind, or have a disability. You must also:
- have very low income,
- have limited resources,
- live in the U.S. or U.S. territories ( Including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and
- be a U.S. citizen (most legal residents can qualify).
How can I apply?
In Person: You must make an appointment at your local Social Security Office. To find your local Social Security Office, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free and tell the operator where you live.
If I qualify for SSI, can I get other benefits?
Yes. If you qualify for SSI you could also get:
- Medicaid, which helps pay doctor and hospital bills. If you are over 65 and qualify for SSI, you also qualify for Medicare.
- Food Stamps to help pay for your groceries.
What if I don’t qualify for SSI?
If you are not eligible for SSI, you may qualify for other federal programs that help pay for out-of-pocket Medicare costs. Ask your social security caseworker.
You can learn more about Social Security and Supplemental Security Income at these web sites:
- The United States Social Security Administration
- AARP (formerly The American Association of Retired Persons)
Wyoming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Wyoming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to keep children in their homes while the family is temporarily unable to support themselves. While receiving assistance, parents or caretaker relatives work on an employment plan to become self-supporting.