Supplemental Security Income is a monthly payment from Social Security for people with low income who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash payment program run by the Social Security Administration. It sends money each month to people who meet three conditions: they have very little income, they own very few assets, and they fall into one of three categories — age 65 or older, blind, or disabled.

SSI is separate from Social Security retirement or disability benefits, even though the same agency administers both. You do not need to have worked or paid into Social Security to receive SSI. The program exists to keep people above a bare minimum income level when they cannot work or have no other resources.

The federal government sets a base payment amount each year, and some states add extra money on top. The exact amount you receive depends on your income, your assets, and which state you live in. SSI also typically makes you automatically may be able to access for Medicaid, which covers medical expenses.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI requires you to have very low income and very few assets — the federal limit for countable resources is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, though some assets do not count toward this limit.
  • You must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled as defined by Social Security, and you must be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of noncitizen.
  • The federal base payment amount changes each year; in 2024 it was $943 per month for an individual, but your actual payment depends on other income you receive.
  • Most states add supplemental payments on top of the federal amount, so the total you receive varies by location.
  • Receiving SSI usually makes you automatically may be able to access for Medicaid in your state.

Income and asset limits that determine whether you may have access to

SSI has strict financial thresholds. Your countable income — the money that counts against your limit — must stay below a certain amount each month. The federal limit changes yearly. Not all income counts: the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of anything above that are excluded, and certain other sources like food stamps or housing assistance do not count at all.

Your countable resources — the things you own that count toward the limit — must stay under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. A home you live in does not count. A car does not count if you use it for transportation. Money set aside in certain work incentive accounts does not count. But a second car, a savings account, or investments do count, and they can disqualify you if they exceed the limit.

If you have income or resources above these limits, you will not receive SSI. There is no partial payment if you are slightly over — you either meet the threshold or you do not. This is why people on SSI often work with a representative payee or a Social Security work incentive plan to manage earnings without losing the benefit.

Who can receive SSI based on age, disability, or blindness

You must fit into one of three categories. The first is straightforward: you are 65 or older. Age is verified through a birth certificate or passport.

The second category is blindness. Social Security defines this as vision of 20/200 or worse in your better eye with correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. An eye doctor's report confirming this definition is required.

The third category is disability. Social Security has a specific definition: you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing substantial work, and the condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This is the most complex category to establish. You will need medical records, test results, and often statements from doctors who have treated you. Social Security will review all of this to decide whether your condition meets their definition.

Children can receive SSI if they are disabled under Social Security's rules. The definition of disability for children is different from the adult definition and focuses on how the condition affects the child's ability to function compared to other children the same age.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen in a category that Social Security recognizes. U.S. citizens have no restrictions. Certain noncitizens can receive SSI, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and people granted withholding of removal. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SSI.

You must also be a resident of one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. You cannot receive SSI while living outside the United States for more than 30 days in a row, though there are limited exceptions for brief trips.

How SSI payments work and what happens to your benefits if your income changes

Social Security deposits your SSI payment directly into your bank account on the first of each month, or on the third if the first falls on a weekend or holiday. The amount you receive is calculated by taking the federal base rate, adding any state supplement if you live in a state that offers one, and then subtracting any countable income you have.

If your income changes — you start a job, receive a gift, or lose a source of income — you must report it to Social Security within 10 days. Your payment will be adjusted the following month based on the new income level. If you fail to report a change and receive more money than you should have, Social Security will ask you to repay the overpayment, though there are hardship exceptions in some cases.

If your income rises above the limit, your SSI payment stops, but you may still be may be able to access for Medicaid in many states even after SSI ends. This is called Medicaid continuation, and it protects your health coverage during work transitions. Some states offer this automatically; others require you to ask for it.

The relationship between SSI and other benefits

SSI is a needs-based program, meaning it is designed for people with very low income. If you also receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, that money counts as income against your SSI limit. For example, if you receive $500 per month in Social Security retirement and the SSI federal base is $943, your SSI payment would be reduced to $443 (after the $65 income exclusion).

SSI does not affect your Medicare may be able to access. If you are 65 or older and receiving SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you are younger and disabled, you become may be able to access for Medicare after you have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months — SSI itself does not trigger Medicare may be able to access.

Supplemental payments from your state may have different rules than the federal SSI program. Some states count certain income differently or have higher resource limits. If you live in a state with a supplement, ask Social Security specifically about how your state's rules apply to your situation.

Work incentives and how earning money affects your SSI

Social Security offers work incentive programs designed to let you earn money without immediately losing SSI. The most common is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like training for a job or starting a business — without those funds counting against your SSI limit.

Another option is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which excludes certain costs you incur because of your disability — such as attendant care, transportation, or medical equipment needed for work — from your countable income. This can allow you to earn more before your SSI payment is reduced.

The basic earnings exclusion — the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of anything above that — applies automatically. But if you earn more than that, your SSI payment will be reduced dollar-for-dollar for income above the exclusion. Working with a benefits planning service or a representative payee can help you understand exactly how your earnings will affect your payment before you start or increase work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I am also getting Social Security retirement or disability?

Yes, but your Social Security payment counts as income and reduces your SSI payment. If your Social Security is higher than the SSI federal base rate, you will not receive any SSI. Many people receive both, but the SSI amount is smaller because it is reduced by the other benefit.

What happens to my SSI if I inherit money or receive a large gift?

Inherited money counts as a resource and will disqualify you from SSI if it pushes your total resources above $2,000. A gift also counts as a resource. You must report it to Social Security within 10 days. Some people use a PASS plan to set aside inherited money for a work goal, which removes it from the resource limit.

Does SSI continue if I move to a different state?

Your SSI continues, but the payment amount may change because some states add supplemental payments on top of the federal base. When you move, contact Social Security to update your address and ask about your new state's supplement. Your may be able to access does not change, only the dollar amount you receive.

Can I work and still receive SSI?

Yes. The first $65 of your monthly earnings are excluded, and half of earnings above that are excluded. Beyond that, your SSI payment is reduced by the remaining income. Work incentive programs like PASS or IRWE can help you earn more without losing benefits. Contact Social Security's work incentive program before you start working to understand your specific situation.

What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

SSI is needs-based and does not require work history — it is for people with low income and few resources. SSDI is based on your own or a family member's work record and Social Security taxes paid. SSDI has no income or resource limits. You can receive both if you may have access to for both, but your SSI payment will be reduced by your SSDI amount.