Does being arrested for possession of an illegal substance less than a gram affect your
Social security benefits. Such as SSI benefits.

Social Security benefits are affected only if you are put in jail or prison for 30 days or more. SDI and SSI benefits are not payable for months when you are incarcerated. Conviction for a crime that does not lead to jail time shouldn't affect your social security benefits.

Agree. There are different "possession" charges. Simple possession would not terminate your benefits. Intent to distribute very well could because it could lead to jail time. But honestly, why play with fire though?

So the hard working taxpayer is paying for your illegal drugs, great.
A lot depends on what state you live in.

So the hard working taxpayer is paying for your illegal drugs, great.
A lot depends on what state you live in.

Social Security is a federal entitlement. Thus, in theory, it comes from what you and your employer contributed to the so-called "trust fund", not from the "hard working (sic) taxpayer". The fact that politicians have, over the decades, repeatedly lied to us about this, and embezzled from the trust fund (or legislated more benefits than the trust fund contains), doesn't make that basic fact any less true.

And, I may be missing something, but I don't see how eligibility for Social Security depends upon state law (other than the possible sentence for whatever crime OP is alleged to have committed).