SSI is a federal cash payment for people who are blind, disabled, or 65 and older with very low income and few assets

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly cash payment from the Social Security Administration. You do not have to have worked to receive it — unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires a work history. SSI is based on financial need: you must have less than $2,000 in countable assets (or $3,000 if you are married) and income below a certain threshold. The federal payment in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual, though some states add extra money on top.

SSI serves three groups: people under 65 who are blind or disabled, people 65 and older with low income, and children under 18 with disabilities. The disability or blindness must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You apply through your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is a need-based program, not an earnings-based one — you do not need a work history, but you must have very low income and few assets.
  • The federal payment is $943 per month for an individual in 2024, and some states provide additional payments on top of that amount.
  • You must be blind, disabled, or 65 or older; the disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid in most states, which covers medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care services.
  • Work incentives allow you to earn money and keep part of your SSI payment without losing it all, though the rules are complex and change based on how much you earn.

Income and asset limits that determine whether you can receive SSI

SSI has strict financial thresholds. Your countable assets must be under $2,000 (or $3,000 if married). Countable assets include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property you own — but not your home, one car, household goods, or personal items. Some retirement accounts and burial funds also do not count.

Your monthly income limit depends on your state and whether you are married, but the federal base is $943 per month for an individual. If you earn wages, SSI subtracts $65 per month plus half of what you earn above that. If you receive other income — such as unemployment, pensions, or help from family — SSI counts most of it and reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar. Unearned income like gifts or in-kind support (food or shelter someone gives you) is treated differently and may reduce your payment more.

Some income does not count at all: the first $20 of any income per month, student earned income up to $2,110 per month (for students under 22), and certain work incentive payments. Your local Social Security office can tell you how your specific income will affect your payment.

How to apply for SSI and what documents you need

You can start an SSI application online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online applications take about 15 minutes. By phone or in person, the process is longer but you can ask questions as you go.

You will need to provide proof of age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or naturalization papers), and proof of income and assets (recent pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns). If you are applying for disability, you must also provide medical records showing your condition and how it limits your ability to work or function. Bring records from doctors, hospitals, therapists, or other providers who have treated you.

After you submit your application, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office, which reviews your medical evidence and makes the disability decision. This usually takes 30 to 90 days. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and if denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

The difference between SSI and SSDI

SSI and SSDI are both Social Security programs, but they work differently. SSDI is based on your work history — you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. SSI is based on financial need, not work history. You can receive SSDI even if you have substantial income and assets; you cannot receive SSI if you exceed the limits.

SSDI payments vary based on your earnings record; SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state (the federal base is $943 per month in 2024). Both programs provide Medicaid or Medicare, but the type depends on the program. SSDI recipients receive Medicare after 24 months of benefits; SSI recipients receive Medicaid immediately in most states.

Some people receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time. This happens when your SSDI payment is very low — Social Security tops it up to the SSI federal rate. You are still subject to SSI's asset and income limits even if you also receive SSDI.

Medicaid and other benefits that come with SSI

In most states, SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid with no separate application. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care in nursing homes or assisted living. A few states (Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, and New York) require a separate Medicaid application, so check with your state's Medicaid office.

Some SSI recipients also receive SNAP (food assistance), though you must meet SNAP's income and asset rules separately. Your SSI payment itself does not count as income for SNAP purposes in most cases, which means many SSI recipients can receive both. You apply for SNAP through your state's human services department.

If you receive SSI, you may also be able to work and earn money through work incentives. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and assets for a work goal without losing SSI. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) lets you deduct costs of working — such as transportation, medication, or equipment — from your earnings before SSI calculates your payment reduction.

What happens to your SSI if you work or earn money

SSI does not stop you from working, but your payment will decrease as you earn. The first $65 of monthly earnings does not count. After that, SSI subtracts $1 from your payment for every $2 you earn. So if you earn $200 per month, SSI counts $135 ($200 minus $65), subtracts half of that ($67.50), and reduces your payment by $67.50.

This means you can work part-time and still receive some SSI. Many people find that working 10 to 15 hours per week at minimum wage keeps them below the earnings threshold where SSI stops entirely. The exact point depends on your state's payment rate and whether you have other income.

Work incentives exist to make working easier. The Trial Work Period lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without losing SSI or Medicaid. After the trial period ends, SSI uses the earnings formula above. The Extended may be able to access period extends Medicaid for up to 93 months after your cash SSI payment stops due to work earnings, so you keep health coverage while you work.

How SSI payments change if you move, marry, or have a change in circumstances

SSI payments vary by state because some states add money to the federal base. If you move to a different state, your payment may increase or decrease. You must report the move to Social Security within 10 days. Some states have higher supplemental payments; others have none. Check with your new state's Social Security office to learn what your payment will be.

If you marry, your asset limit increases to $3,000 and your payment may change depending on your spouse's income and assets. If your spouse also receives SSI, you each keep your own payment, but the household asset limit applies to both of you together. If your spouse does not receive SSI, their income counts against your SSI payment.

You must report changes within 10 days: a job, a raise, a new living situation, a gift, a loan, a marriage, a divorce, or a death in your household. Failure to report can result in an overpayment that Social Security will ask you to repay. If you cannot repay, they may reduce your future payments or withhold your tax refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I own a home?

Yes. Your primary home does not count as an asset for SSI purposes, no matter how much it is worth. You can own a car and household goods as well. Only liquid assets like cash, bank accounts, and investments count toward the $2,000 limit.

What if I receive a gift or inheritance?

Gifts and inheritances count as assets. If you receive money that pushes you over $2,000, your SSI payment will stop until you spend it down below the limit. Some states allow you to set aside money for a work goal through a PASS plan, which lets you keep more without losing benefits.

How long does it take to get approved for SSI?

The initial decision usually takes 30 to 90 days. If you are denied and request reconsideration, that takes another 30 to 90 days. A hearing before a judge can take several months to schedule. You can receive back pay to the month you applied if you are eventually approved.

Do I lose SSI if I go to jail or prison?

SSI stops if you are in jail or prison for more than 30 days. It resumes the month after you are released. If you are in a hospital or nursing home, SSI continues for the first month; after that, it may be reduced depending on whether Medicaid is paying for your care.

Can I work and receive SSI at the same time?

Yes. Your SSI payment decreases as you earn, but you keep some of it. The first $65 per month does not count, and SSI subtracts $1 for every $2 you earn above that. Many people work part-time and receive both a paycheck and SSI.