The basic requirements for SSI

To receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must meet three core requirements set by the Social Security Administration: you must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled; your income must fall below a certain monthly limit; and your resources (savings, property, and other assets) must stay under a resource limit. SSI is a needs-based program, which means the government looks at both your medical condition and your financial situation before you can receive payments.

The income and resource limits change each year. In 2024, the monthly income limit for an individual is $943 and the resource limit is $2,000. For a couple, the monthly income limit is $1,415 and the resource limit is $3,000. These figures vary slightly by state because some states add their own money to the federal SSI payment. Your state's SSI office can tell you the exact limits that apply where you live.

SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is based on your work history and the taxes you paid into Social Security. SSI is based on financial need, regardless of whether you ever worked. You can receive both programs at the same time, but they have different rules.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 65 or older, blind, or have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or results in death.
  • Your monthly income must be below your state's SSI limit, and your countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
  • Not all income counts toward the limit — the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of earnings above that are excluded, plus certain other types of income do not count at all.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to noncitizen, and you must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • The Social Security Administration will review your medical condition and financial situation before you can start receiving payments.

How SSI counts your income

SSI has specific rules about which income counts toward your monthly limit and which does not. Earned income (money from work) is treated differently than unearned income (money from pensions, Social Security, unemployment, or other sources). For earned income, the first $65 per month does not count, and then half of everything you earn above that does not count either. This means you can work and still receive SSI, as long as your total countable income stays below the limit.

Unearned income counts dollar-for-dollar toward your limit, with some exceptions. The first $20 of unearned income per month does not count. After that, every dollar of unearned income reduces your SSI payment by one dollar. If your unearned income alone exceeds the monthly limit, you will not receive an SSI payment that month, though you may still be considered to be receiving SSI for other purposes (like Medicaid coverage).

Certain types of income do not count at all. These include the first $2,000 of food and shelter assistance you receive in a month, some in-kind support (like food or shelter provided by someone else), certain tax refunds, and money set aside for a work plan if you are blind or disabled and working toward self-support. If you receive irregular income — money that does not come every month — Social Security averages it over the months you receive it.

Resource limits and what counts as a resource

SSI limits the total value of resources you can own. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate (other than your home), vehicles (other than one car), and personal property you could sell. Your primary home and one vehicle do not count toward the resource limit, no matter how much they are worth. Household goods and personal effects also do not count.

Some resources are excluded entirely. These include life insurance policies with a face value under $1,500, burial plots, certain retirement accounts, and money set aside in a work plan or ABLE account (a tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities). If you are married and only one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse's resources do not count toward the limit.

If your resources exceed the limit, you will not receive SSI until you reduce them below the threshold. The Social Security Administration does not require you to spend down your resources in any particular way — you can give money away, spend it, or use it however you choose. However, if you give away resources to become SSI-may be able to access, there may be a penalty period during which you cannot receive SSI, depending on when and how much you gave away.

Medical requirements for disability or blindness

If you are under 65, you must be blind or disabled to receive SSI. Blindness means your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye with correction, or your visual field is 20 degrees or less. Disability means you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to determine if you are disabled. First, they check whether you are working and earning more than a certain amount (in 2024, more than $1,550 per month). If you are, you generally cannot be found disabled. Second, they determine whether your condition is severe enough to interfere with basic work activities. Third, they check whether your condition matches or is as severe as a condition on the Social Security Administration's list of impairments. Fourth, they assess whether you can do the work you did before. Fifth, they determine whether you can do any other type of work that exists in the economy.

You will need medical evidence to support your claim. This includes records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other treatment providers. The Social Security Administration may also send you to a doctor they choose for an examination. The process of reviewing your medical condition can take several months.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to noncitizen to receive SSI. may have access to noncitizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other categories defined by immigration law. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for SSI. If you are a noncitizen, you will need to provide proof of your immigration status when you apply.

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 will stop. If you are outside the country when your payment is due, you will not receive that payment. Some people who work abroad or are temporarily outside the country may have exceptions, but you should contact the Social Security Administration before you leave to understand how your specific situation will be handled.

How to start the review process

To begin the process of having your situation reviewed, you will need to contact your local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration's national number at 1-800-772-1213. You can also start the process online through the Social Security Administration's website. When you contact them, have the following information ready: your Social Security number, birth certificate or other proof of age, proof of citizenship or immigration status, medical records or the names and addresses of doctors who have treated you, and information about your income and resources.

The Social Security Administration will send you forms to complete. These forms ask detailed questions about your medical history, work history, income, and resources. Be thorough and honest when filling them out. If you do not understand a question, ask the Social Security Administration to explain it. You can also bring someone with you to your appointment — a family member, friend, or representative — to help you provide information.

The review process typically takes several months. During this time, the Social Security Administration may request additional medical records, ask you to see a doctor for an examination, or ask you to provide more information about your income or resources. Once they make a decision, they will send you a notice in the mail explaining whether you have been found to meet the requirements and, if so, when your payments will begin.

What happens if your situation changes

You must report certain changes to the Social Security Administration while you are receiving SSI. These include changes in your income, changes in your living situation, changes in your resources, changes in your marital status, and any changes in your medical condition that might affect your ability to work. You must also report if you leave the country, even temporarily. Failure to report changes can result in overpayments that you will be required to repay.

If your income or resources increase above the SSI limits, your payments will be reduced or stop. If your medical condition improves and you are no longer disabled or blind, your payments will stop. The Social Security Administration conducts periodic reviews of people receiving SSI to make sure they still meet the requirements. The frequency of these reviews depends on your situation — some people are reviewed every few years, while others may be reviewed more often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I own a home?

Yes. Your primary home does not count as a resource, no matter how much it is worth. However, if you own other real estate or investment property, that will count toward your resource limit. If you own your home but also have significant savings or other assets, those countable resources could push you over the limit.

What if I get married while receiving SSI?

Your income and resource limits will change. For a married couple where both receive SSI, the monthly income limit is $1,415 and the resource limit is $3,000 (as of 2024). If your spouse does not receive SSI, only your income and resources count toward your limit, not theirs. You must report your marriage to the Social Security Administration within 10 days.

Can I work and still receive SSI?

Yes. The first $65 of your monthly earnings and half of everything above that do not count toward your income limit. This means you can earn money and continue to receive SSI as long as your total countable income stays below the monthly limit. However, you must report your work to the Social Security Administration.

What if I disagree with the Social Security Administration's decision?

You have the right to appeal. You can request reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the decision notice. If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can also have a representative help you with the appeal process.

Does SSI include health insurance?

Most people who receive SSI are also may be able to access for Medicaid, which provides health insurance. Medicaid rules vary by state, so the coverage you receive depends on where you live. You should contact your state's Medicaid office to understand what health services are covered under your plan.