The federal maximum SSI payment for 2024 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) maximum payment is set by federal law and adjusted each year based on cost-of-living increases. For 2024, the federal base amount is $943 monthly for a single person and $1,415 for a married couple living together. These amounts change every January, so the 2025 figure will be different.

Your actual payment may be lower than the maximum because SSI counts other income you receive — wages, pensions, Social Security benefits, or money from family members — and reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar above certain thresholds. The program also has asset limits: you can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual, or $3,000 as a couple.

Some states add their own money on top of the federal payment, which means recipients in those states can receive more than the federal maximum. Other states do not supplement SSI at all.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 federal SSI maximum is $943 per month for individuals and $1,415 for couples, adjusted annually for inflation.
  • Your actual payment will be reduced by other income you receive, such as wages or Social Security, above the first $65 per month plus half of remaining earnings.
  • Some states add supplemental payments on top of the federal maximum, while others do not.
  • Asset limits are $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples; exceeding these can make you ineligible.

How income reduces your SSI payment

SSI does not count all income the same way. The program ignores the first $65 of earned income (wages from work) each month, plus half of anything you earn above that. So if you work and earn $200 per month, SSI counts only $67.50 of that income ($200 minus $65, divided by two). Your SSI payment is then reduced by $67.50.

Unearned income — such as Social Security benefits, pensions, or money gifts from family — is treated differently. SSI counts the first $20 of unearned income as not affecting your payment, then reduces your SSI dollar-for-dollar for anything above that. If you receive a $500 monthly pension, SSI counts $480 of it ($500 minus $20) and reduces your payment by that amount.

Some types of income are not counted at all: food, shelter provided by someone else (with limits), in-kind support and maintenance, and certain education or training assistance. Understanding what counts and what does not is important because miscounting can affect your payment for months.

State supplemental payments and regional variation

About half of U.S. states run their own supplemental SSI programs that add money to the federal payment. California, New York, and Massachusetts are among the states with substantial supplements; recipients there can receive $200 to $400 more per month than the federal maximum. Other states offer smaller supplements or none at all.

If you live in a state with a supplement, you must meet both the federal SSI rules and the state's own rules to receive the additional money. Some states require you to be a resident for a certain period before you become may be able to access for the state supplement. The Social Security Administration can tell you whether your state supplements SSI and by how much.

How the annual cost-of-living adjustment works

Each January, the SSI maximum payment increases by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment is based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. In years with no inflation or deflation, the payment stays the same; in years with high inflation, the increase is larger.

The COLA is announced in October for the following January. You will receive a notice from Social Security showing your new payment amount before the increase takes effect. If you receive both SSI and Social Security, your Social Security benefit also increases by the same COLA percentage.

Asset limits and what counts toward them

To receive SSI, you must have no more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own other than your home and one vehicle. If your countable resources exceed the limit, you become ineligible for SSI until you spend down below the threshold.

Some resources do not count: your primary home and the land it sits on, one vehicle, household goods and personal effects, life insurance with a face value under $1,500, and certain retirement accounts. If you receive an inheritance or a lump-sum payment, you have a limited time to spend it down or move it into a non-countable category, such as a special needs trust, before it affects your SSI.

How work incentives can increase your total income

SSI includes work incentives designed to let you earn money without losing your entire payment. The most common is the earned income exclusion: the first $65 per month of wages is not counted, and you only lose 50 cents in SSI for every dollar earned above that. This means you can work part-time and still receive most of your SSI payment.

Other work incentives include the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without affecting your SSI, and Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which excludes certain costs of working — such as attendant care or medical equipment — from your countable income. These programs require advance planning and approval from Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SSI maximum payment change every year?

Yes. The maximum payment adjusts each January based on the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The increase matches inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. In low-inflation years, the increase is small; in high-inflation years, it is larger. You receive notice of your new amount in December.

Can I receive the maximum SSI payment if I have a job?

Possibly, but your payment will be reduced based on your earnings. SSI ignores the first $65 of monthly wages and half of anything above that. If you earn $300 per month, SSI counts $117.50 and reduces your payment by that amount. You could still receive most of the maximum if your earnings are modest.

What happens if I inherit money while receiving SSI?

An inheritance counts as a resource. If it pushes your total resources above $2,000, you become ineligible for SSI. However, you have time to spend it down or place it in a special needs trust, which does not count as a resource. Contact Social Security immediately after receiving an inheritance to discuss your options.

Do all states pay the same SSI maximum?

No. The federal maximum is the same everywhere, but many states add their own supplemental payments. Some states add $200 or more per month; others add nothing. Your actual maximum depends on which state you live in. Social Security can tell you your state's supplement amount.

Can my SSI payment be reduced if someone gives me money?

It depends on how the money is given. A one-time gift under $20 per month does not count as income. Regular gifts or money from family members living with you may count as unearned income and reduce your payment. Money for food or shelter provided directly by someone else has special rules. Ask Social Security about your specific situation.