What does the term "deeming" refer to in regards to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

The term "deeming" in relation to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) refers specifically to the practice of considering household income when determining an individual's eligibility for benefits. Under the SSI program, the income and resources of certain family members may be included or "deemed" to the applicant, which can affect the individual's benefit amount or eligibility status. This provision is in place to ensure that the needs of a household are fully considered when assessing whether an applicant qualifies for assistance.

Household income can include income from parents, spouses, or others living in the same household, and it is taken into account in evaluating the financial situation of the SSI applicant. This concept is vital for understanding how financial support is allocated and aids administrators in fairly distributing benefits based on overall household circumstances rather than just the applicant’s individual resources.

In contrast, ignoring personal income, providing extra benefits for disabilities, and exempting employment income from calculations do not accurately define the concept of deeming within the SSI context.