Who SSI covers: age, disability, and blindness

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very low income and resources. You do not have to have worked to receive it — unlike Social Security retirement or disability benefits, SSI is not based on your work history.

To be considered disabled under SSI rules, you must have a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and the condition must prevent you from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific list of conditions that automatically meet this standard, but you can also show that your condition limits your ability to work even if it is not on the list.

If you are blind, SSA uses a medical definition: your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye with correction, or your field of vision is 20 degrees or less. You do not have to be completely sightless.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI requires you to be 65 or older, blind, or disabled; have income below roughly $943 per month (2024); and have resources under $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple.
  • Income limits and resource limits vary slightly by state because some states add their own money to the federal SSI payment, so you should check your state's specific numbers.
  • SSA counts most income against you, including wages, unemployment, food, and housing help, but does not count some sources like the first $65 of wages per month or certain in-kind support.
  • Resources include bank accounts, vehicles, and property, but your home and one vehicle do not count toward the limit.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of non-citizen, and you must live in one of the 50 states, D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Income limits and what counts as income

SSI has a strict income limit. For 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple, and your countable income cannot exceed these amounts. Many states add their own supplement, which raises the limit in that state. You should contact your state SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 to learn your state's exact limit.

SSA counts most money coming in as income: wages from a job, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, pensions, gifts, and support from family members. However, SSA does not count the first $65 of your monthly wages plus half of anything you earn above that. This is called the earned income exclusion, and it is designed to let you work without losing all your SSI payment at once.

SSA also does not count certain in-kind support — that is, help with food or shelter that is not cash. If someone gives you food or lets you live in their home for free, SSA counts this as income, but the amount is capped at one-third of the federal SSI payment. If you pay something toward rent or food, even a small amount, the in-kind support rule may not apply at all.

Resource limits: what counts and what does not

SSI also limits how much money and property you can own. For 2024, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and vehicles. However, your primary home does not count, no matter what it is worth. One vehicle also does not count if you or a family member uses it for transportation.

Personal items like clothing, furniture, and household goods do not count. A burial plot and up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses do not count either. If you own a vehicle worth more than the limit and you do not use it for transportation, SSA will count the value above a certain threshold toward your resource limit.

If you are married and only one spouse is receiving SSI, SSA counts half of the couple's resources toward the SSI recipient's limit. This means a couple where only one person receives SSI has an effective resource limit of $3,000 total, not $2,000 per person.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen to receive SSI. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other categories defined by federal law. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for SSI.

You must also live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. If you leave the United States for more than 30 days, your SSI payments stop. If you return, you can reapply, but there is a waiting period.

How SSA determines if you are disabled

If you are under 65, SSA will evaluate whether your condition meets their definition of disability. They use a five-step process: first, they check whether you are working and earning more than a certain amount (roughly $1,550 per month in 2024). If you are, you do not meet the disability requirement. Second, they determine whether your condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities.

Third, SSA checks whether your condition is on their list of conditions that automatically may have access to as disabling. If it is, and the medical evidence supports it, you may be found disabled without going further. Fourth, if your condition is not on the list, SSA evaluates whether you can do the work you did before. Fifth, they determine whether you can do any other work that exists in the national economy, considering your age, education, and work experience.

This process takes time. SSA will request medical records from your doctors and may schedule a consultative exam. You can speed this up by gathering your own medical records and submitting them with your request.

State variations in SSI payments and rules

The federal SSI payment is the same everywhere, but 29 states add their own supplement. These state supplements range from a few dollars to over $200 per month, depending on the state. Some states have higher resource limits or different rules about what counts as income.

California, New York, and Pennsylvania have particularly generous supplements. Other states, like Mississippi and West Virginia, add little or nothing. If you move to a different state, your payment amount may change. You should contact your new state's SSA office to learn how the move affects your benefits.

What happens after you request SSI

When you contact SSA to request SSI, they will schedule an appointment to take your application. You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local SSA office. You will need to provide proof of age, citizenship or immigration status, income, and resources. If you are applying based on disability or blindness, you will need medical records.

SSA will review your application and make a decision. If they deny your request, you have the right to ask for reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge, then further appeals. Many people are denied the first time and approved on appeal, so do not give up if you receive a denial letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I am working?

Yes. SSA does not count the first $65 of your monthly wages, plus half of anything above that. So if you earn $200 per month, only $132.50 counts as income ($200 minus $65, then half of $135). You can work and still receive SSI as long as your countable income stays below the limit.

What if I have a spouse who is not disabled?

If you are married and only you are disabled, your spouse's income and resources count toward your SSI limits. SSA counts half of your couple's resources toward your limit, and your spouse's income counts fully. Your spouse cannot receive SSI unless they are also 65, blind, or disabled.

Do I lose SSI if I inherit money?

If you inherit money or property, it counts as a resource. If the total value of your resources goes over $2,000, you become ineligible for SSI. However, you have nine months to spend down the inheritance to get back under the limit. SSA will suspend your benefits during this time, then restart them once you are under the limit again.

Can I get SSI while I am waiting for Social Security Disability Insurance?

Yes. SSI and SSDI are separate programs. You can receive SSI while your SSDI application is pending. If you are approved for SSDI, SSA will count the SSDI payment as income, which may reduce or end your SSI. However, there is a period where you can receive both if your SSDI payment is low enough.

What if I disagree with SSA's decision about my disability?

You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to ask for reconsideration. SSA will assign a different person to review your case. If they deny you again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days. Many people are approved at the hearing stage, especially if they bring medical records and a representative.