What Supplemental Security Income Is

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash payment program run by the Social Security Administration for people who have very low income and few assets. Unlike Social Security retirement or disability benefits, which are based on your work history, SSI is a needs-based program — it exists to help people who cannot work or cannot earn enough to live on.

SSI pays a monthly amount directly to you if you meet three conditions: you must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled; your income must fall below a set limit; and your countable resources (savings, property you own) must be under a threshold. The federal government sets a base payment amount each year, and some states add extra money on top.

The program is separate from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is for people who worked and paid into Social Security before becoming unable to work. You can receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time, but the rules about how much you can earn and what counts against you differ between the two.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have very low income and few assets — not based on work history.
  • The federal payment amount changes each year, and some states pay additional money; you can find your state's rate on the Social Security Administration website.
  • You can earn some money and still receive SSI, but earnings above a small monthly amount reduce your payment dollar-for-dollar.
  • Certain things do not count as income or resources — for example, your home, one vehicle, and some personal items — which can make a difference in whether you may have access to.
  • You must report changes in income, living situation, or resources within ten days, or you may have to repay overpayments.

Income and Resource Limits

SSI has strict limits on how much money you can have. The federal resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, though some states set their own limits. Resources include savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own — but your primary home and one vehicle do not count, no matter their value.

Income limits are lower. In 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual, which means your other income must be low enough that the program can bring you up to or near that amount. If you earn wages from work, the first $65 per month does not count, and then half of anything above that reduces your SSI payment. Other income — like rental payments, interest, or help from family members — counts differently depending on the type.

Some income does not count at all. Food, shelter, and clothing given to you directly by someone else, certain in-kind support, and some work incentives for people with disabilities are excluded. The Social Security Administration publishes detailed rules about what counts and what does not, and these rules change year to year.

How to Start the Process

You can begin by contacting your local Social Security office in person, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online through the Social Security website. You will need to provide proof of age, citizenship or legal residency, and income and resources. If you are applying based on disability or blindness, you will also need medical evidence.

The Social Security Administration will ask detailed questions about your living situation, your income sources, and what you own. Be honest and thorough — mistakes or omissions can delay your case or result in overpayments you will have to repay later. If you are disabled, bring medical records, test results, and a list of doctors who have treated you.

Processing takes time. The Social Security Administration typically makes a decision within 30 to 90 days, though complex cases take longer. You can check the status of your case online through your my Social Security account or by calling your local office.

What Happens If You Work

You can work and receive SSI, but your earnings will reduce your payment. The first $65 you earn in a month does not count. After that, half of your remaining earnings reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar. For example, if you earn $200 in a month, $65 does not count, leaving $135. Half of that ($67.50) reduces your payment, so you lose $67.50 in SSI but keep the full $200 in wages.

There are also work incentives designed to help people with disabilities transition to work without losing benefits immediately. These include the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal, and Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which excludes certain costs of working from your income calculation. These programs have specific rules and require advance planning.

If you are considering work, contact your local Social Security office before you start. They can explain how your specific earnings will affect your payment and what work incentives might help you.

Reporting Changes and Avoiding Overpayments

You must report certain changes within ten days: a change in your living situation, a change in who lives with you, a change in your income, a change in your resources, or a change in your citizenship status. Failing to report can result in overpayments — money you received but were not may have access to to — which you will have to repay.

The Social Security Administration can recover overpayments by reducing your future SSI payments, by withholding your federal tax refund, or by other means. If you believe an overpayment was not your fault, you can request a waiver, but you must do so within a set time frame. The best approach is to report changes promptly and keep records of what you report and when.

You can report changes by phone, in person, or through your my Social Security account online. Keep copies of anything you submit, and ask for a confirmation number or receipt.

SSI and Other Programs

Receiving SSI can affect your standing in other programs. In most states, SSI recipients automatically may have access to for Medicaid, which covers medical care. Some states have different rules, so check with your state Medicaid office. SSI can also make you may be able to access for food assistance (SNAP) and other state and local programs.

If you receive SSI and also have a job, you may be able to use work incentives that protect your Medicaid coverage even as your earnings increase. This is important because losing health insurance can make it harder to work. The Social Security Administration has a work incentives planning project that can help you understand how work affects your benefits and coverage.

If you are receiving benefits from another program — such as unemployment, workers' compensation, or a pension — that income counts toward your SSI limit and will reduce your payment. Report all income sources to avoid overpayments.

What Happens at Age 65 or 66

If you are receiving SSI based on disability, your case will be reviewed when you reach full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically 66 to 67). At that point, you will usually be converted to Social Security retirement benefits. Your payment may change because retirement benefits are calculated differently than SSI, and the income and resource rules are different.

The Social Security Administration will notify you before this conversion happens. Your retirement benefit is based on your own work record or, in some cases, on a family member's record. If you have never worked, you may continue to receive SSI-level payments under a different program called Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) in some states.

Contact your local Social Security office a few months before your 65th birthday to understand what will happen to your benefits and to make sure your work record is accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SSI if I have never worked?

Yes. SSI is not based on work history — it is based on age, disability or blindness, and financial need. You do not need to have worked or paid into Social Security to receive SSI.

What counts as a resource and what does not?

Your home and one car do not count, no matter their value. Savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own do count. Personal items like furniture and clothing do not count. The Social Security Administration has a detailed list on its website, and your local office can answer questions about specific items.

If I inherit money or receive a gift, will it affect my SSI?

Yes. Money you inherit or receive as a gift counts as a resource. If it pushes you over the resource limit, you will lose SSI until you spend it down. Some gifts from family members may be treated differently — ask your local Social Security office about your specific situation.

Can I receive SSI while I am in prison or a hospital?

SSI payments stop if you are in a public institution like a prison or state hospital for more than a month. If you are in a private hospital or nursing home and Medicaid is paying, you may receive a reduced SSI payment. Report your situation to Social Security immediately.

What if I disagree with a decision about my SSI?

You have the right to appeal. You can request reconsideration within 60 days of the decision, then a hearing before an administrative law judge, then further appeals. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. The Social Security Administration provides information about the appeal process on its website and at your local office.