What Supplemental Security Income Is

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly cash payment from the federal government for people who are aged, blind, or disabled and have very low income and few assets. Unlike Social Security retirement or disability benefits, which are based on work history, SSI is a needs-based program — the Social Security Administration looks at your current financial situation, not your past earnings.

SSI is separate from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), though both are run by the Social Security Administration. The key difference: SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI does not. You can receive both programs at the same time, but the SSI payment is reduced by the amount you get from SSDI or other Social Security benefits.

The federal SSI payment amount changes each year. Your state may add money on top of the federal amount — called a state supplement — which varies widely. Some states add nothing; others add several hundred dollars per month. The amount you receive also depends on your income and resources, which can reduce or eliminate your payment.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and have monthly income below roughly $1,000 and countable resources under $2,000 (or $3,000 for couples).
  • You do not need a work history to receive SSI, which makes it different from Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
  • Your state may add a supplement to the federal SSI payment, so the total amount varies by location.
  • Income and resources above the limits reduce your payment dollar-for-dollar or can disqualify you entirely.
  • You must report changes in income, living situation, or resources within 10 days, or you may have to repay overpayments.

Income and Resource Limits

SSI has strict financial limits. Your countable income — money you receive each month — must stay below a threshold set by the federal government. Countable income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security benefits, pensions, and most other regular payments. However, the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of earnings above that are not counted, which is called the "earned income exclusion." The first $20 of unearned income (like Social Security) is also excluded.

Your countable resources — money and property you own — must stay below the limit. The federal limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Some things do not count toward this limit: your home, one vehicle, household goods, personal items, and life insurance with a face value under $1,500. Money in a ABLE account (a tax-advantaged savings account for disabled people) has its own rules and does not count toward the $2,000 limit up to $100,000.

If your income or resources exceed the limits, you will not receive SSI that month. If you are close to the limits, report changes to the Social Security Administration right away — even small changes in income can affect your payment. The agency will recalculate your benefit and tell you the new amount.

Who Can Receive SSI

You must meet one of three conditions: be 65 or older, be blind, or be disabled. The Social Security Administration has a specific definition of disability: a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Blindness means vision of 20/200 or worse in your better eye, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can apply on your behalf. If you are 18 or older, you apply yourself. The Social Security Administration will ask for medical records, work history, and details about your daily activities to determine whether you meet the disability standard. This review can take several months.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for SSI.

How to Apply for SSI

You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. The online application takes about 15 minutes and you can save your progress and return later. If you apply online, you will still need to provide documents in person or by mail within a few weeks.

Bring or send these documents: proof of citizenship or immigration status (passport, birth certificate, or green card); proof of age (birth certificate); medical records related to your disability or blindness; proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements); proof of resources (bank statements, investment statements); and proof of living situation (lease, mortgage, or utility bill). If you do not have all documents, start the application anyway — the Social Security Administration can help you gather what you need.

After you apply, the Social Security Administration will contact you if they need more information. Processing typically takes 30 to 60 days for age-based claims and three to six months for disability claims. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether you were approved, denied, or need to provide more information.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once approved, you will receive a monthly payment by direct deposit to your bank account. The first payment usually arrives within one to two months after approval. You will also become may be able to access for Medicaid, the federal health insurance program for low-income people. In most states, SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Medicaid; in a few states, you must apply separately.

You must report certain changes to the Social Security Administration within 10 days: a change in your address, living situation, or household members; a change in your income or employment; a change in your resources or bank accounts; a change in your marital status; or a change in your citizenship or immigration status. Failure to report can result in overpayments that you will have to repay.

The Social Security Administration conducts periodic reviews to confirm you still meet the requirements for SSI. For disability cases, reviews happen every one to three years, depending on how likely your condition is to improve. You will receive a notice before the review and instructions on what documents to send.

State Supplements and Variations

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia provide a state supplement to SSI recipients. The supplement amount varies: some states add $10 to $50 per month, while others add $200 or more. A few states have higher resource limits than the federal limit. Some states also have different rules about what counts as income or resources.

If you move to a different state, your SSI payment may change. Contact the Social Security Administration before you move to find out how the move will affect your payment. In some cases, the state supplement ends immediately; in others, there is a transition period.

You can find your state's supplement amount and rules on the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you receive a state supplement, you may also need to report changes to your state agency, not just to Social Security.

Work Incentives and Continuing Payments

SSI has built-in work incentives to encourage people to earn money without losing benefits immediately. The first $65 of your monthly earnings are not counted as income. After that, half of your remaining earnings are not counted. This means you can earn money and still receive some SSI payment, as long as your total countable income stays below the monthly limit.

If you work and your earnings push you over the income limit, your SSI payment stops for that month, but you keep Medicaid coverage for at least another month. This is called Medicaid continuation and protects you if your work income is temporary or variable. After Medicaid continuation ends, you may be able to stay on Medicaid under a work incentive called "Medicaid Buy-In," which lets you keep health coverage even if your income is too high for SSI.

If you receive SSI and want to work, tell the Social Security Administration before you start. They can explain how your earnings will affect your payment and help you understand the work incentives available in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI and Social Security retirement or disability at the same time?

Yes, but your SSI payment will be reduced. The Social Security Administration counts your SSDI or retirement benefit as income and reduces your SSI by that amount, minus the $20 monthly exclusion. Many people receive both, but the SSI payment is smaller than it would be if you had no other income.

What if I inherit money or receive a lump sum payment?

A lump sum — inheritance, lawsuit settlement, or back pay — counts as a resource and can disqualify you from SSI for several months. If you receive a lump sum, contact the Social Security Administration immediately. Some lump sums can be excluded if they are set aside in a special account called an ABLE account or a special needs trust, but you must do this before the money reaches your bank account.

Can I get SSI if I am living with family and they support me?

Yes, but the amount of support you receive from family may count as income. If a family member pays for your food or housing, the Social Security Administration may count part of that as "in-kind support and maintenance" and reduce your SSI payment. The exact amount depends on your living arrangement and what your family pays for.

What happens to my SSI if I go to jail or prison?

Your SSI payment stops if you are in jail or prison for more than 30 days. It resumes the month after you are released. You must report your release to the Social Security Administration within 10 days. If you were overpaid while in custody, you may have to repay the difference.

How often does the SSI payment amount change?

The federal SSI payment amount increases each January based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Your state supplement may also change. The Social Security Administration will send you a notice in December showing your new payment amount for the coming year. Your individual payment may also change if your income, resources, or living situation changes during the year.