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. It sends money directly to your bank account each month. You do not have to have worked to receive it — unlike Social Security retirement or disability benefits, SSI is not based on your work history. Instead, it is based on your current financial situation: how much money you have coming in, how much you own, and whether you meet one of three conditions: you are blind, you have a disability, or you are 65 or older.

The amount you receive depends on your state, your living situation, and your other income. In 2024, the federal base amount is $943 per month for an individual, but many states add money on top of that. If you live with family members who support you, or if you have other income, your SSI payment will be smaller or might be zero.

SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is for people who worked and paid into Social Security; SSI is for people with very low income regardless of work history. You can receive both at the same time, but they are separate programs with separate rules.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI pays a monthly amount to people who are blind, disabled, or 65 or older and have income below a set limit (usually around $1,000 per month for an individual in 2024).
  • You must have fewer than $2,000 in countable assets as an individual, or $3,000 as a couple, to receive SSI.
  • The amount you receive is reduced dollar-for-dollar if you have other income, so earning money from work will lower your SSI payment.
  • SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid in most states, which covers doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions.
  • You apply through your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov, and the decision process typically takes three to six months.

Income and asset limits that determine whether you can receive SSI

SSI has strict financial limits. Your countable income — the money the program counts toward your limit — must be below a certain amount. In 2024, the federal limit is roughly $1,000 per month for a single person, though some states set higher limits. Countable income includes wages from work, Social Security benefits, pensions, and money from other people in your household. It does not include the first $65 of your monthly earnings from work, plus half of anything you earn above that, so working part-time does not eliminate your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar.

Your countable assets — the things you own that count toward the limit — must be under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. A car you drive is not counted. Your home is not counted. But a second car, a savings account, stocks, or cash are counted. Some items like household goods, personal effects, and life insurance with a face value under $1,500 are not counted either.

If you receive money as a gift or inheritance, it may be excluded from your countable resources for up to nine months if you spend it on food, shelter, or other living expenses. The rules around what counts and what does not are detailed, so asking a Social Security representative during your application is important.

How disability is defined for SSI purposes

To receive SSI based on disability, you must have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The condition does not have to be permanent, but it has to be severe enough that you cannot do any work that exists in the national economy, not just the job you used to do.

Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically meet the disability standard — these are called "compassionate allowances" — but most people do not have a condition on that list. Instead, a Social Security doctor or psychologist will review your medical records, test results, and statements from your doctors. They will look at what you can and cannot do physically and mentally. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may send you to one for an examination at no cost to you.

The process is slow. Most people are denied the first time they apply. If you are denied, you can ask for reconsideration, then request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people who are approved receive their first payment only after a hearing, which can take one to two years from the date of application.

What happens to your SSI if you work

You can work and still receive SSI, but your payment will be reduced. Social Security does not count the first $65 of your monthly earnings, and then does not count half of what you earn above that. So if you earn $200 per month, you would subtract $65, leaving $135, and then Social Security would not count half of that ($67.50), meaning $67.50 would reduce your SSI payment.

There are also work incentive programs that let you earn more without losing SSI. The most common is called Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). With PASS, you set aside money from your earnings for a specific work goal — like paying for job training or transportation to work — and that money does not count against your income or asset limits. You have to write a plan and get Social Security to approve it, but once approved, you can earn significantly more and keep your SSI.

Another program is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE). If you have costs directly related to your disability that let you work — like medication, medical equipment, or a personal assistant — those costs can be deducted from your earnings before Social Security calculates your SSI payment.

Medicaid and other benefits that come with SSI

In most states, receiving SSI automatically means you receive Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for people with low income. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescriptions, mental health services, and dental care (though dental coverage varies by state). You do not have to apply separately for Medicaid in most places — it is automatic once SSI is approved.

In a few states — Connecticut, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and New Hampshire — you have to meet a separate Medicaid income limit that is lower than the SSI limit. In those states, you might receive SSI but not Medicaid, or you might receive both. You will find out during the SSI application process.

SSI recipients may also be able to receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called food stamps. The income limits for SNAP are higher than for SSI, so you may may have access to even if you are already receiving SSI. You apply for SNAP through your state's department of human services or social services.

How to apply for SSI and what documents you need

You can apply for SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually fastest. You will need your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, passport, or green card), and proof of income and assets (recent pay stubs, bank statements, lease or mortgage documents).

If you are applying based on disability, you will also need to list all your doctors and hospitals you have visited in the past 12 months, the dates you saw them, and the conditions they treated. Social Security will request your medical records directly from those providers. Bring any recent test results, imaging reports, or letters from doctors describing your condition and how it limits your ability to work.

The decision process takes three to six months on average. Social Security will contact you by mail or phone if they need more information. If you are denied, you have 60 days to ask for reconsideration. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which can take several more months.

The difference between SSI and SSDI

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are often confused because both are run by Social Security and both serve people with disabilities. But they are different programs with different rules.

SSDI is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes. Your SSDI payment is based on your work history and earnings record. You can have any amount of income and assets and still receive SSDI — there are no limits. SSI is for people with very low income and few assets, regardless of work history. You can receive both programs at the same time if you meet the requirements for each.

A common path is to apply for SSDI first if you have worked. If you are denied SSDI or if your SSDI payment is very small, you can also apply for SSI. Social Security will tell you during the application process if you might may have access to for both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I am living with family members?

Yes, but your SSI payment will be reduced if family members are providing you food or shelter. Social Security calls this an "in-kind support and maintenance" reduction. If your parent pays your rent or buys your groceries, that counts as income to you. The reduction is usually one-third of the federal base rate, which in 2024 would be about $314 per month.

What happens to my SSI if I get married?

Your SSI payment will be recalculated based on your spouse's income and assets. If your spouse works or has income, your SSI will be reduced. The asset limit for a couple is $3,000 instead of $2,000, so you have a slightly higher limit together. You must report the marriage to Social Security within 10 days.

Can I go to school and still receive SSI?

Yes. If you are under 22 and a full-time student, Social Security excludes some of your earnings from work-study or part-time jobs. The exclusion is up to $2,170 per month in 2024, or your actual earnings, whichever is less. You must be enrolled in an accredited school and attending classes regularly.

What if I inherit money or receive a large gift?

A lump sum of money will count against your $2,000 asset limit and may make you ineligible for SSI. However, if you spend the money on food, shelter, or other living expenses within nine months, it may not count. If you receive an inheritance or large gift, contact Social Security before depositing it to understand how it will affect your benefits.

How often does Social Security review my case to make sure I still may have access to?

Social Security conducts periodic reviews called "continuing disability reviews" (CDRs). How often depends on whether your condition is expected to improve. If improvement is possible, you might be reviewed every one to three years. If improvement is unlikely, reviews might happen every five to seven years. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you when your review is scheduled.