The federal SSI payment amount changes each year, and in 2024 it is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple

These are the maximum amounts the federal government pays. Your actual payment may be lower because SSI reduces the amount if you have other income — wages, pensions, Social Security benefits, or even gifts count toward this limit. The reduction is not dollar-for-dollar; SSI excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of anything above that, but other income types reduce your payment more directly.

Most states add money on top of the federal amount. These state supplements range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per month, depending on where you live. A few states do not add anything. If you move to a different state, your payment amount will change.

Key Takeaways

  • The maximum federal SSI payment for 2024 is $943 monthly for one person and $1,415 for a couple, but your actual payment depends on your income and where you live.
  • Any income you receive — wages, pensions, gifts over $20 per month — reduces your SSI payment, though work earnings have a partial exemption.
  • Most states add a supplement to the federal amount, ranging from nothing to several hundred dollars monthly.
  • Your payment amount is recalculated each year when the federal amount adjusts, and whenever your income or living situation changes.

How income reduces your SSI payment

SSI counts income in a specific way. If you work, SSI ignores the first $65 you earn each month, then ignores half of everything above that. So if you earn $200 monthly, SSI counts only $67.50 of it ($200 minus $65, divided by two). The rest of your SSI payment stays the same.

Other income — Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment, rental income — reduces your SSI dollar-for-dollar after the first $20 per month. If you receive $500 in Social Security, SSI subtracts $480 from your payment ($500 minus $20). This is why many people on SSI receive very small payments or nothing at all if they also get Social Security.

Gifts and support from family members count as income too. The first $20 per month is excluded, but anything above that reduces your payment. This rule catches many people off guard when a family member tries to help.

State supplements and regional differences

Thirty-nine states and Washington D.C. add their own money to the federal SSI amount. These supplements exist because the federal maximum is considered too low to live on in most places. The size of the supplement depends on the state's cost of living and its budget.

California, New York, and Massachusetts offer some of the largest supplements — sometimes $200 to $300 per month above the federal amount. Other states add $10 to $50. A handful of states — including Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas — do not supplement at all, so recipients there receive only the federal amount.

If you move, contact your local SSI office to update your address. Your payment will change to match your new state's rules, usually starting the month after you move.

How the annual cost-of-living adjustment works

Each January, the federal SSI amount increases based on inflation. This is called the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. The amount varies year to year — in 2024 it was 3.2 percent, but in other years it has been as low as zero or as high as 8.7 percent. You do not need to do anything; the increase happens automatically.

State supplements do not always increase at the same rate as the federal amount. Some states tie their supplement to the federal COLA, while others adjust it separately or not at all. Check with your state's SSI program to understand how your specific payment will change.

What counts as a resource and how it affects your payment

SSI also has a resource limit — you cannot have more than $2,000 in cash, savings, or liquid assets if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Resources above these limits make you ineligible for SSI entirely, regardless of income.

Certain things do not count as resources: your home, one vehicle, household goods, personal items, and life insurance with a face value under $1,500. Retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s are also excluded. But savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and cash do count, so many people on SSI keep savings deliberately low to stay within the limit.

How living arrangements affect your payment

If someone else pays for your food or shelter, SSI may reduce your payment. This is called in-kind support and maintenance, or ISM. If a family member pays your rent or buys your groceries, SSI counts this as income to you and reduces your payment by up to one-third of the federal rate.

The reduction applies only if someone else is actually paying for food or shelter on your behalf. If you pay your own way but live with family members, there is no reduction. If you live in a group home or institution, different rules apply — contact your local SSI office for details about your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SSI payment increase if I turn 65?

No. SSI payments do not change based on age. However, when you turn 65, you may become may be able to access for Supplemental Security Income under different rules, and you should contact Social Security to see if your situation changes. Your payment amount itself stays the same unless your income or resources change.

Can I receive SSI and Social Security at the same time?

Yes, but your Social Security benefit reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after the first $20 per month. Many people receive both, but the SSI amount becomes very small or zero because of how the offset works. Your local Social Security office can estimate what you would receive under both programs.

What happens to my SSI if I get a tax refund?

A tax refund counts as income in the month you receive it, which will reduce your SSI payment that month. However, if you spend the refund on food or shelter in the same month, it may not affect future months. Keep records of how you spend it. Contact your SSI office before you receive a large refund to understand the exact impact.

Do I lose SSI if I inherit money?

An inheritance counts as a resource, not income. If the amount pushes you over the resource limit ($2,000 for individuals), you become ineligible for SSI until you spend it down below the limit. Some people use inherited funds to pay for things SSI does not cover, like medical care or education, while staying under the resource cap.

How often does SSI recalculate my payment?

SSI recalculates your payment whenever your income or resources change, and automatically each January for the COLA adjustment. You must report changes in income, living situation, or resources within 10 days. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you may have to repay later.