Your SSI income limit depends on what counts as income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has an income limit, but not all money you receive counts toward it. The federal limit for 2024 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple, but the first $65 of earned income each month does not count, and neither does the first $20 of any income. After that, SSI reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn.
What matters is the type of income. Wages from a job count. Self-employment income counts. But Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, housing assistance, and most in-kind support (like food or shelter someone gives you) do not count toward the income limit. Some income never counts at all — scholarships, certain grants, and money set aside in a work incentive account.
The rules are different for Supplemental Security Income than for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which has a separate earnings test. If you receive SSI, these income rules apply to you.
Key Takeaways
- The first $65 of your earned income each month does not count, plus the first $20 of any other income, so you can earn some money without losing SSI payments.
- After those exclusions, SSI reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn, so earning more money reduces but does not eliminate your SSI check.
- In-kind support like free food or shelter counts differently than cash income and may reduce your payment by a different amount.
- You must report all income to Social Security within 10 days of the month it was received, or you risk overpayment and having to repay money.
How the $65 and $20 exclusions work together
Every month, Social Security excludes $65 of earned income (wages or self-employment) and $20 of any other income before calculating how much to reduce your SSI payment. These are separate exclusions, so if you earn $65 in wages and receive $20 in interest or a gift, neither counts toward your income limit.
If you earn $100 in wages, $65 is excluded and $35 counts. If you then receive $50 in another form of income, $20 is excluded and $30 counts. Your countable income is $35 + $30 = $65. Since the federal SSI limit is $943, you are still under the limit and your payment is reduced by half of the amount over $20 of other income, which is $15.
These exclusions reset every month. If you earn $50 one month, you do not carry the unused $15 exclusion into the next month.
What happens when you earn more than the limit
If your countable income exceeds the SSI limit, your payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar until it reaches zero. You do not lose SSI immediately, but your check gets smaller. Once your countable income is high enough, your SSI payment stops, though you may still be able to receive Medicaid depending on your state.
The reduction formula is: for every $2 of countable income above the $20 exclusion, your SSI payment drops by $1. If you earn $100 in wages, $65 is excluded, leaving $35 countable. Half of $35 is $17.50, so your SSI payment is reduced by $17.50 that month.
If you are close to the income limit and considering taking a job, contact your local Social Security office before you start. They can estimate what your new payment would be and help you plan.
In-kind support and shelter costs reduce your payment differently
If someone gives you food or shelter without charging you, or charges you less than its value, that counts as in-kind support. In-kind support reduces your SSI payment by up to one-third of the federal benefit rate, which is about $314 per month in 2024. This reduction applies even if your earned income is zero.
Shelter costs are treated separately. If you live in someone else's household and they pay for your food or shelter, or if you pay less than your share, the reduction is one-third of the federal benefit rate. If you live alone and pay rent or a mortgage, those costs do not reduce your SSI — only free or below-market shelter counts.
This means you can receive free housing and still get some SSI, but your payment will be lower than if you paid market rent. The reduction is capped, so receiving multiple forms of in-kind support does not reduce your payment by more than one-third of the federal rate.
Income that does not count toward the SSI limit
Social Security excludes certain income entirely. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds do not count. Tax refunds do not count. Grants and scholarships used for education do not count. Loans do not count because you have to repay them. Money set aside in an ABLE account or a work incentive savings account does not count.
Some states also exclude certain types of income. Irregular or infrequent income may be averaged over a longer period rather than counted in the month received. If you receive a one-time payment, ask Social Security how it will be treated — some lump sums are averaged over months, which reduces the impact on your SSI.
Medicaid and SNAP benefits themselves do not count as income. Neither does housing assistance from a public agency. If you receive subsidized housing, the subsidy is not counted as income to you, though the in-kind support rule may still apply if you live with someone who pays your shelter costs.
How to report income to Social Security
You must report all income within 10 days of the end of the month in which you received it. If you do not report, Social Security may overpay you, and you will have to repay the difference. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your Social Security account.
Keep records of everything you earn — pay stubs, invoices if you are self-employed, bank statements showing deposits, or written confirmation from someone who gave you money. Social Security may ask for proof, and having documentation protects you if there is a disagreement about how much you earned.
If your income changes, report it right away. If you lose a job or your hours are cut, report that too. Social Security uses the information you report to calculate your payment for the following month, so delays or errors can mean you receive the wrong amount.
Work incentives that protect your SSI and Medicaid
Social Security has programs designed to help people on SSI work without losing benefits immediately. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like training, equipment, or transportation — without it counting toward your SSI limit. A PASS plan must be in writing and approved by Social Security before you start setting money aside.
The Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) program excludes certain costs you pay because of your disability — like attendant care, medical devices, or transportation to work — from your countable income. If you need a personal assistant to work, or special equipment, those costs can be deducted from your earnings before SSI calculates your payment reduction.
Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) excludes earnings for students under 22 who are in school. Up to $2,170 per month in student wages (or $8,680 per year) does not count, as long as you are a full-time student and under 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work part-time and still get SSI?
Yes. If you earn less than $65 per month, your SSI payment is not reduced at all. If you earn more, your payment is reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $65. Many people on SSI work part-time and receive a reduced SSI check plus their wages.
What if I get a bonus or one-time payment at work?
Bonuses and one-time payments count as income in the month you receive them. Social Security may average the payment over several months if it is truly irregular, but you should report it and ask how it will be treated. Delaying the report will not change the outcome and may create an overpayment.
Does my spouse's income count if we are both on SSI?
No. Each person's SSI is calculated based on their own income only. If you are married and both receive SSI, your spouse's earnings do not reduce your payment. However, if you live together, in-kind support rules may apply to both of you.
Can I save money without losing SSI?
Yes, but there is a resource limit. SSI allows you to have up to $2,000 in countable resources as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. Money in a savings account counts toward this limit. However, money in an ABLE account or a PASS plan does not count. If you are close to the resource limit, ask Social Security about setting up one of these accounts before you save.
What happens if I do not report income?
Social Security will likely discover unreported income through tax records or bank statements. If you received more SSI than you were may have access to to, you will owe the money back. Intentional failure to report income can result in penalties and possible fraud charges. Always report within 10 days of receiving income.