SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income

SSI is a federal cash payment program run by the Social Security Administration for people with very low income and limited resources. It is not the same as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), though the two programs are often confused because the same agency runs both.

SSI pays monthly cash to three groups: people aged 65 and older, people who are blind, and people with disabilities. The payments go directly to you or to a representative you name. The money has no restrictions on how you spend it — you can use it for rent, food, medical costs, or anything else.

To receive SSI, you must meet strict income and resource limits. Your monthly income must fall below a certain threshold (which varies slightly by state), and you can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. A resource is anything you own that can be turned into cash — bank accounts, vehicles, stocks — though your home and one car are usually not counted.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is a monthly cash payment for people 65 and older, people who are blind, or people with disabilities who have very low income and few resources.
  • You cannot own more than $2,000 in countable resources (or $3,000 if married) to receive SSI, and your monthly income must stay below the program limit.
  • SSI is different from SSDI: SSI is based on financial need, while SSDI is based on your work history and Social Security taxes you or a family member paid.
  • The Social Security Administration determines whether you meet the disability or blindness requirement, which involves medical evidence and a formal review process.
  • SSI payments are the same across most of the country, but some states add extra money on top of the federal amount.

How SSI differs from SSDI

Both programs are run by Social Security, but they are separate. SSDI is an insurance program — you or a family member earned it by paying Social Security taxes through work. SSI is a needs-based program — you receive it because your income and resources are too low, regardless of your work history.

This matters because SSDI has no resource limit (you can own as much as you want) and higher income limits. SSI has strict limits on both. A person can receive both programs at the same time, but the rules for each are different.

If you worked and paid into Social Security, you may be able to receive SSDI instead of or in addition to SSI. A Social Security office can tell you which program you may be able to receive based on your work record.

Who can receive SSI

You must be in one of three categories: aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled. "Disabled" has a specific legal meaning under Social Security rules — it is not the same as having a disability. Social Security considers you disabled if you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Blindness also has a specific definition: your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye even with glasses or contact lenses, or your visual field is 20 degrees or less.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of non-citizen (including some refugees, asylees, and permanent residents). Your immigration status affects whether you can receive SSI, so you will need to provide proof of status when you apply.

Income and resource limits

SSI has strict financial limits that change slightly each year. As of 2024, the federal payment amount is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple, though some states pay more. Your countable income cannot exceed the federal benefit rate in your state.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, and some benefits, but certain income is not counted. For example, the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of earnings above that are excluded. Some benefits like food stamps and housing assistance are not counted as income.

Resources are things you own that can be converted to cash. Your home and one vehicle are not counted. Household goods and personal items are not counted. But bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and a second car are counted. If your resources exceed the limit, you are not able to receive SSI until you spend down to the limit.

How to start the SSI process

You begin by contacting your local Social Security office in person, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. You will need to provide proof of age, citizenship or immigration status, and income and resources. You will also need medical evidence if you are applying based on disability or blindness.

The Social Security Administration will review your medical records and may ask you to see a doctor they choose. The review process typically takes three to six months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more information from you or your doctors.

If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. Most people who are denied the first time are approved on appeal, especially if they provide additional medical evidence. You can request an appeal within 60 days of the denial notice.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, you will receive a payment each month, usually by direct deposit to a bank account. Social Security will send you a notice each year asking you to report any changes in your income, resources, living situation, or work status. If you do not report changes, you may be overpaid and have to repay the money.

Your SSI can stop if your income or resources go above the limit, if you no longer meet the disability or age requirement, or if you move out of the country. If you start working, you can still receive SSI for a while because of the earnings exclusion, but your payment will be reduced as your earnings increase.

If you receive an overpayment — money you were not supposed to get — Social Security will ask you to repay it. You can request a waiver of the overpayment if you can show you were not at fault and repaying would cause hardship, though waivers are not always granted.

State supplements and variations

Some states add money on top of the federal SSI payment. These state supplements vary widely — some states add $50 to $100 per month, while others add nothing. If you move to a different state, your payment may change because the state supplement is different.

A few states (California, New York, and Pennsylvania) run their own SSI-like programs for people who do not meet federal SSI rules. These state programs have different income and resource limits and may be worth exploring if you are denied federal SSI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and still receive SSI?

Yes. The first $65 of your monthly earnings are not counted, and half of earnings above that are excluded. So you can earn some money and still receive SSI, though your payment will be reduced as you earn more. If you earn over a certain amount, your SSI stops, but you may be able to receive it again if your earnings drop.

What is the difference between SSI and food stamps?

SSI is cash you receive monthly that you can spend on anything. Food stamps (now called SNAP) are benefits you use to buy food only. You can receive both programs at the same time. SNAP has different income limits and rules than SSI, so you may be able to receive one but not the other.

If I inherit money, will I lose SSI?

An inheritance counts as a resource, so if you inherit more than $2,000 (or $3,000 if married), you will exceed the resource limit and lose SSI. However, some states have programs that let you set aside inherited money in a special account without it counting against your limit. Ask your local Social Security office about this option.

How long does it take to get approved for SSI?

The initial review usually takes three to six months, though it can be faster or slower depending on how quickly you provide medical records and how complex your case is. If you are denied and appeal, the appeal process can take several more months. You do not receive back pay for the time before you were approved.

Can I receive SSI if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Some non-citizens can receive SSI, including refugees, asylees, and certain permanent residents, but the rules are complex and depend on your immigration status and when you entered the country. You will need to provide proof of immigration status when you apply. Contact Social Security directly to find out whether your status makes you able to receive SSI.