SSI disability payments are set by federal law and do not depend on your work history

The amount you receive in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for disability is determined by a fixed federal benefit rate, not by how much you earned before you stopped working. The Social Security Administration sets this rate each year and adjusts it for inflation. The exact dollar amount you receive depends on your living situation, whether you have other income, and whether you live in a state that adds money on top of the federal payment.

Because SSI is a needs-based program, your payment shrinks if you have other income or resources. This is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your earnings record. If you are receiving SSI, you need to understand how your household situation and any other money coming in will affect what you actually get each month.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI payment amount is the same for all recipients in the same living situation, adjusted yearly for inflation.
  • Your actual payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar if you have earned income, and reduced by one-third of unearned income above a small threshold.
  • Some states add their own money on top of the federal SSI payment, so your total can vary based on where you live.
  • If you live with family or in a group setting, your payment may be lower than the standard individual rate.

The federal SSI payment amount changes each year

The Social Security Administration announces a new federal benefit rate every January. This rate applies to individuals living independently and receiving only SSI. The rate increases each year to account for inflation, but the exact amount varies from year to year depending on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

You can find the current federal rate on the Social Security Administration website, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask what the current payment is. The rate is the same whether you live in California or Maine — the federal portion does not change by state.

State supplements can add money to your federal payment

Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C. add their own money on top of the federal SSI payment. These state supplements vary widely. Some states add only a small amount; others add several hundred dollars per month. A few states have their own separate SSI programs that work alongside the federal program.

If you live in a state with a supplement, you will receive both the federal payment and the state amount. If you move to a different state, your payment amount will change. You can contact your state's social services office or call Social Security to find out whether your state has a supplement and how much it is.

Your payment is reduced if you have other income

SSI is designed to help people with very limited income. If you earn money from work, your SSI payment goes down. Social Security counts the first $65 of your monthly earnings as not affecting your payment, plus half of anything you earn above that. So if you earn $200 a month, Social Security subtracts $67.50 from your SSI payment (half of the $135 over the $65 threshold).

Unearned income — money that is not from work, like gifts, child support, or help from family — is treated differently. Social Security does not count the first $20 of unearned income per month. After that, every dollar of unearned income reduces your SSI payment by one dollar. If your parent gives you $100 a month, Social Security counts $80 of that and reduces your payment by $80.

Some types of income are not counted at all. Food and shelter provided by someone else, student aid used for education, and certain other benefits do not reduce your SSI payment. The rules are detailed, so if you have income or receive help from others, ask Social Security how it will affect your payment before you report it.

Your living situation affects how much you receive

If you live alone and pay your own rent and food, you receive the full individual SSI rate. If you live with family members who provide you food or shelter, your payment is reduced by one-third of the federal benefit rate. This reduction is called an "in-kind support and maintenance" reduction.

If you live in a group home, assisted living facility, or other residential setting where the facility provides your food and shelter, your payment may be even lower — sometimes as low as $30 per month. The exact amount depends on what the facility provides and how it is structured. If you are considering a move to a group setting, ask Social Security in advance how your payment will change.

Resources and savings limits affect your payment

To receive SSI, you must have less than $2,000 in countable resources if you are an individual, or less than $3,000 if you are married. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property you own — but not your home or one car. If your resources go over the limit, you lose SSI until your resources drop back down.

Some resources do not count toward this limit. Certain retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and items you need for work or daily living are excluded. If you are worried that savings or an inheritance might make you ineligible, ask Social Security which resources count before you receive the money.

Work incentives can protect some of your earnings

Social Security has programs designed to let people on SSI work without immediately losing their entire payment. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal without it counting against your SSI. If you want to go back to school or start a business, a PASS plan can help you save money for that goal while keeping your SSI.

Another program, Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), lets you deduct certain costs from your earnings before Social Security calculates how much your payment should be reduced. If you need a personal assistant, special transportation, or medical equipment to work, those costs may not count as income.

These programs are complex and require paperwork, but they can make a real difference if you want to work. Ask Social Security about them before you start earning money, because the timing of when you report work matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my SSI payment go up if I have been on it longer?

No. Your payment amount is based on the federal rate for your living situation, any state supplement, and your income and resources — not on how long you have been receiving SSI. Everyone in the same situation receives the same amount. Your payment only changes when the federal rate is adjusted for inflation each January, or when your personal circumstances change.

What happens to my SSI if I inherit money?

An inheritance counts as a resource. If the amount you inherit pushes your total resources over $2,000, you will lose SSI until your resources drop back below the limit. Some inheritances can be structured to avoid this — for example, through a special needs trust — but you need to plan this before you receive the money. Talk to Social Security and a lawyer before accepting an inheritance.

Can I receive SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance at the same time?

Yes, but it is uncommon. If you receive SSDI, your payment is usually high enough that you do not may have access to for SSI, which is only for people with very limited income. However, if your SSDI payment is very low, you might receive a small SSI payment on top of it. Social Security will tell you if you may have access to for both.

Does my SSI payment change if I move to a different state?

Yes, if the state you move to has a different supplement or no supplement at all. Your federal payment stays the same, but the state portion changes. If you are planning to move, contact Social Security and your new state's social services office to find out what your new payment will be.

What if I get married — does my SSI payment change?

Yes. If you marry another SSI recipient, you each receive a lower individual rate. If you marry someone who is not on SSI, your payment may be affected by their income or resources, depending on the rules. The resource limit also goes up to $3,000 for a married couple. Contact Social Security before you marry to understand how it will affect your payment.