You can receive both Social Security and SSI, but SSI will be reduced by most of what you get from Social Security
If you are getting Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, you can also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, SSI is designed to top up your income only to a minimum level set by your state. When you receive Social Security, SSI counts that money as income and reduces your SSI payment by nearly the full amount.
The result is that most people do not gain much by receiving both. If your Social Security payment is $900 per month and your state's SSI limit is $943, your SSI payment would be roughly $43 — the difference between what you get from Social Security and the SSI limit. The exact amount depends on your state, your living situation, and whether you have other income.
The main reason to pursue both is that SSI includes Medicaid coverage in most states, while Social Security alone does not. If you need Medicaid, the combination may be worth the paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- SSI reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar when you receive Social Security, so the combined benefit is usually close to what SSI alone would have been.
- The federal SSI limit is $943 per month for an individual in 2024, but your state may set a higher or lower limit.
- SSI includes Medicaid in most states, while Social Security does not, which is often the real reason to pursue both programs.
- You must report your Social Security income to SSI within ten days of receiving it, or you risk losing your SSI payment.
- Some states run their own SSI programs with higher payment limits than the federal program.
How SSI counts Social Security as income
SSI uses a formula to determine your monthly payment. The program starts with a maximum benefit amount — called the Federal Benefit Rate — and subtracts your countable income. Social Security is counted as income almost in full.
The first $20 of any income per month is not counted. After that, SSI counts 100 percent of your Social Security payment. So if you receive $800 in Social Security, SSI subtracts $800 from its maximum benefit. If the maximum benefit in your state is $943, your SSI payment would be $143 (the $943 limit minus the $800 Social Security payment, minus the $20 exclusion applied to other income if you have it).
Some states run their own SSI programs on top of the federal program. These state supplements have their own income limits and rules. A few states — California, New York, and Massachusetts — have notably higher limits. If you live in one of these states, your combined benefit may be larger, but SSI will still reduce your payment based on your Social Security income.
When you should pursue both programs
The financial gain from receiving both is usually small. Most people who may have access to for SSI already receive some form of Social Security, and the combination brings them to roughly the SSI limit for their state. The real value is often the Medicaid coverage that comes with SSI.
Social Security alone does not include health insurance. SSI includes Medicaid in 43 states and Washington D.C. In those places, if you receive SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Medicaid. In the remaining states, you may be able to purchase Medicaid coverage through a work incentive program, but it is not automatic.
If you need ongoing medical care, prescription medications, or long-term services, Medicaid through SSI may be worth far more than the small cash payment difference. This is especially true if you are under 65 and have no other path to health coverage.
How to report Social Security income to SSI
Once you begin receiving Social Security, you must tell SSI within ten days. You do this by contacting your local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security claim number and the date your benefits began.
You will need to provide proof of your Social Security payment amount. This is usually your Social Security award letter or your first benefit statement. SSI will use this information to recalculate your monthly payment.
If you do not report your Social Security income within ten days, SSI may overpay you and later demand repayment. This is one of the most common reasons people lose SSI benefits — not because they became ineligible, but because they did not update their income information on time.
What happens if your Social Security payment changes
Social Security payments increase each year by a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). When your Social Security payment goes up, your SSI payment goes down by the same amount. This means your total monthly income stays roughly the same.
If your Social Security payment decreases — which is rare but can happen if you made a mistake on your application or if you are receiving survivor benefits and your family situation changes — your SSI payment will increase to compensate.
You must report any change in your Social Security payment to SSI. Again, you have ten days. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office with your updated benefit statement.
States with higher SSI limits
Three states run their own SSI programs with federal matching funds. These state supplements pay more than the federal program alone.
| State | Individual Limit (2024) | Couple Limit (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $1,087 | $1,637 |
| New York | $1,051 | $1,581 |
| Massachusetts | $1,051 | $1,581 |
If you live in one of these states and receive both Social Security and SSI, your SSI payment will be calculated using the state limit instead of the federal limit. This means you may receive a larger combined benefit. However, SSI will still count your Social Security income and reduce your payment accordingly.
Medicaid and work incentives
One of the strongest reasons to maintain SSI may be able to access is to keep access to Medicaid. SSI Medicaid is particularly valuable if you work or plan to work, because SSI has work incentive programs that allow you to earn money without losing all your benefits.
If you are receiving Social Security alone and want to work, you face earnings limits and benefit reductions. SSI has more generous work incentives, including the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE). These programs let you set aside income and work-related costs without counting them against your SSI payment.
To use these work incentives, you must be receiving SSI. If you lose SSI because your Social Security payment is too high, you lose access to these programs. This is a significant consideration if you are working or thinking about working.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get Social Security, will I automatically get SSI too?
No. Social Security and SSI are separate programs with separate applications. You must apply for SSI separately through your local Social Security office. Getting Social Security does not put you on SSI automatically, even if your Social Security payment is low.
What if my Social Security payment is higher than the SSI limit?
If your Social Security payment exceeds the SSI limit for your state, you will not receive any SSI payment. You will receive only Social Security. You will not be enrolled in Medicaid through SSI, though you may be able to purchase it through other programs depending on your state.
Can I lose SSI if my Social Security payment increases?
Yes. If your Social Security payment rises above the SSI limit for your state, your SSI payment will drop to zero. This can happen if your Social Security benefit increases due to a COLA or if you were initially receiving a reduced benefit that later increased. You will be notified of the change, but you should report it to SSI yourself to avoid overpayment.
Do I need to report my Social Security income every month?
No. You report the change once when you begin receiving Social Security or when the amount changes. After that, SSI has your information on file. However, you should keep SSI updated if your Social Security payment changes, which happens annually with the COLA adjustment.
What if I receive Social Security survivor benefits and my family situation changes?
Survivor benefits can change if a family member turns 16, turns 19 (if still in high school), marries, or dies. When your Social Security payment changes, you must report it to SSI within ten days. Your SSI payment will be recalculated based on your new Social Security amount.