SSI is a monthly cash payment from the federal government for people who are blind, disabled, or over 65 with very low income and few assets

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration that sends you money each month if you meet three conditions: you are disabled, blind, or 65 or older; your income is below a set limit; and you own very little in assets. The payment goes directly to your bank account or a prepaid card. In 2024, the federal payment is $943 per month for an individual, though some states add extra money on top of that amount.

SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on work history. SSI is based on financial need. You do not have to have worked to receive it. The Social Security Administration handles both programs, but the rules are separate.

The program exists because some people cannot work enough to support themselves and have no other income source. It is one of the oldest federal safety-net programs, created in 1972.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI pays a monthly amount to people who are disabled, blind, or over 65 and have income below roughly $1,000 per month and assets under $2,000.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or certain types of noncitizen to receive SSI; documentation of immigration status is required.
  • The Social Security Administration reviews your income and assets every year, and the payment amount changes if your situation changes.
  • You can work and still receive SSI, but your payment will be reduced based on how much you earn.

Income and asset limits for SSI

To receive SSI, your monthly income must be below a certain amount. For 2024, the limit is roughly $1,000 per month for an individual living alone, though this varies slightly by state because some states add their own money to the federal payment. Income includes wages, unemployment, pensions, and money from other people in your household.

You must also own fewer than $2,000 in assets if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Assets include savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one car do not count toward the asset limit. Household goods and personal items do not count either.

If you work, the Social Security Administration does not count the first $65 per month you earn, and then counts only half of what you earn above that. This means you can work part-time and still receive most or all of your SSI payment. The exact amount you keep depends on how much you earn.

Who can receive SSI

You must be one of three things: disabled, blind, or 65 or older. Disability is defined strictly by the Social Security Administration. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The condition must be severe enough that you cannot do any kind of work.

Blindness means your vision is 20/200 or worse in your best eye with correction, or your field of vision is 20 degrees or less. You do not have to be completely blind.

If you are 65 or older, you do not need to be disabled or blind. Age alone qualifies you, as long as your income and assets are below the limits.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen in one of these categories: lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or certain other protected statuses. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SSI. You will need to provide proof of your immigration status when you apply.

How to start receiving SSI

You begin by contacting the Social Security Administration. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office in person, or go to ssa.gov to start the process online. The Social Security Administration will ask you questions about your income, assets, living situation, and medical condition if you are claiming disability.

You will need to bring documents. For income, bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. For assets, bring bank statements and statements from any investment accounts. For disability, bring medical records from your doctor or hospital showing your condition and how it limits your ability to work. For citizenship, bring your birth certificate, passport, or green card.

The Social Security Administration will review your case and send you a decision letter. This usually takes two to four months. If you are denied, you can ask for reconsideration, and if denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

What happens after you start receiving SSI

The Social Security Administration sends your payment on the same day each month, usually by direct deposit. You can also receive the payment on a prepaid card if you do not have a bank account.

You must report changes to the Social Security Administration. If your income changes, if you move, if your living situation changes, or if your medical condition improves, you must tell them. You report changes by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local office. If you do not report changes, you may be overpaid and have to pay the money back.

The Social Security Administration reviews your case every year. They will ask you to send in updated information about your income and assets. If you are receiving SSI for disability, they may also ask you to have a medical exam to confirm your condition still prevents you from working.

How SSI affects other benefits

Receiving SSI does not stop you from getting other help. You can receive SSI and food assistance (SNAP) at the same time. You can receive SSI and housing vouchers (Section 8) at the same time. Some states have programs that help SSI recipients pay for housing or utilities, and you can use those alongside SSI.

However, SSI does affect how much you receive from some programs. If you live with family members who support you, some of their income may be counted as yours, which can reduce your SSI payment. If you receive help paying for food or housing from someone else, that help is counted as income and reduces your payment.

If you are receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance based on work history) and your SSDI payment is very low, you may also receive a small SSI payment to bring your total up to the SSI amount. This is called SSI-only status or concurrent benefits.

Work incentives and how they affect your SSI payment

The Social Security Administration has programs designed to help SSI recipients work without losing their entire payment. The most common is the Student Earned Income Exclusion, which allows students under 22 to exclude up to $2,170 per month in earnings (in 2024) when calculating their SSI payment.

Another program is Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). This lets you set aside income and assets for a specific work goal — like paying for job training or buying equipment for self-employment — without those resources counting against your SSI. You must write a plan and have it approved by the Social Security Administration.

If you work and earn money, your SSI payment will be reduced, but you will usually keep more money overall than if you did not work. The Social Security Administration has a work incentives planning service that can show you exactly how much you would keep if you earned a certain amount. You can call 1-866-968-7842 to speak with a work incentives counselor for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I am living with my parents?

Yes, but your parents' income may be counted as yours, which can reduce your payment. The Social Security Administration counts part of your parents' income as "in-kind support and maintenance" if they pay for your food or housing. The exact reduction depends on your parents' income and how many people live in the household.

What happens to my SSI if I get a job?

Your payment will be reduced based on how much you earn, but you will usually have more total money than if you did not work. The first $65 per month you earn does not count. After that, only half of your earnings count as income. If you earn $200 per month, only $67.50 counts against your SSI, so your payment is reduced by about $67.50.

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

Only if you are a lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or in certain other protected immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SSI. You will need to provide proof of your immigration status to the Social Security Administration.

How long does it take to get SSI after I apply?

The Social Security Administration usually makes a decision within two to four months. If you are denied and request reconsideration, that takes another two to four months. If you request a hearing before a judge, the wait can be six months to over a year depending on how busy your local office is.

What if my SSI payment is not enough to live on?

You may be able to receive other help at the same time. Food assistance (SNAP), housing vouchers (Section 8), utility assistance, and Medicaid are all programs you can use alongside SSI. Contact your local housing authority or call 211 to find out what other programs are available in your area.