Moving to a nursing home can affect your mother's eligibility for SSI benefits. Usually, a person cannot get SSI while in a public institution. When your mother enters or leaves a nursing home, residential institution, hospital, skilled nursing facility or any other kind of institution, Social Security must be notified. Call Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, if you need more information.  If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the Social Security Administration’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.  Social Security can answer specific questions and provide free interpreter services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Social Security can also provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.