SSI is a monthly cash payment from the federal government for people with disabilities, blindness, or age 65 and older with limited income and resources

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration that 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 based on work history, SSI is a needs-based program. The amount you receive depends on your income, what you own, and which state you live in, because some states add their own money on top of the federal payment.

SSI is separate from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your own work record or your parent's work record. You can receive both at the same time, but they are different programs with different rules about how much money you can have and still may have access to.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI pays a federal base amount each month, plus additional money in some states, to people who are disabled, blind, or 65 or older with limited income and resources.
  • You do not need a work history to receive SSI, which makes it different from Social Security Disability Insurance.
  • The program has strict limits on how much money you can earn and how much you can own and still receive payments.
  • Your state may add extra money to the federal SSI payment, so the total amount varies by location.
  • You apply through your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov, and the decision process typically takes several months.

Who can receive SSI

You must meet one of three conditions: be under 65 with a disability that prevents you from working, be blind, or be 65 or older. The Social Security Administration has a specific definition of disability — it is not just any health condition. Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent you from doing substantial work. This is a high bar; many people with serious health problems do not meet the legal definition.

Beyond the disability or age requirement, you must have limited income and resources. The income and resource limits change each year. Your income includes wages, benefits from other programs, and in some cases support from family members. Your resources are the things you own — cash, bank accounts, vehicles, and property. The Social Security Administration does not count your home or one vehicle toward the resource limit, but everything else counts.

How much money you can have and still receive SSI

The resource limit is the total value of things you own. For an individual, this limit is set each year by the Social Security Administration and has not changed in decades, though the dollar amount is adjusted annually for inflation. A married couple living together has a higher resource limit. Money in a bank account counts toward this limit, as does a second car, jewelry, or other items you own.

Your home and one vehicle do not count. Some items like household goods and personal effects also do not count. If you go over the resource limit, you lose SSI until your resources drop back down. This is why some people with SSI are careful about saving money or receiving lump-sum payments like tax refunds or inheritance.

Income limits are separate from resource limits. Your monthly income — from work, other benefits, or support from others — affects how much SSI you receive each month. The more income you have, the less SSI you get. If your income is high enough, you receive no SSI that month, but you can still have SSI in months when your income is lower.

The difference between SSI and SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your own work history or your parent's work history if you became disabled before age 22. You do not have to be poor to receive SSDI — there is no resource limit and no income limit. Once you may have access to, you receive the same amount each month regardless of how much money you earn or own.

SSI, by contrast, is needs-based. You must have limited income and resources to receive it. If you work and earn more money, your SSI payment goes down or stops. If you inherit money or receive a large gift, you may lose SSI until you spend that money down.

Some people receive both programs at the same time. This happens when someone has a work history that qualifies them for SSDI, but their SSDI payment is very low. They can receive both SSDI and SSI, with SSI making up the difference to bring them to a minimum monthly amount.

How to apply for SSI

You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online application is available 24 hours a day. If you apply by phone or in person, you will need to bring documents that prove your age, citizenship or legal residency, and disability or blindness. You will also need to provide information about your income and resources.

The Social Security Administration will ask for medical records, work history, and details about your living situation. If you are applying based on disability, they will request records from your doctors and hospitals. The process typically takes several months from application to decision. You can check the status of your application online using your my Social Security account, or by calling the number on your application receipt.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, SSI payments are deposited directly into your bank account on the first of each month or on a set date if the first falls on a weekend or holiday. You must report changes in your income, resources, living situation, or work status to Social Security. If you do not report changes, you may receive overpayments that you will have to repay later.

You can work while receiving SSI, but your earnings will reduce your payment. Social Security allows you to earn a certain amount each month without losing any SSI — this amount changes each year. After you earn above that threshold, your SSI payment is reduced by a portion of your earnings. There are also work incentive programs that allow you to keep more of your earnings and still receive SSI for a limited time while you test your ability to work.

State supplements and variations

Some states add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements vary widely. California, New York, and several other states provide substantial additions to the federal amount. Other states provide no supplement at all. If you move to a different state, your SSI payment may change because the state supplement changes.

A few states run their own SSI-like programs for people who do not meet the federal definition of disability but have other needs. These programs are separate from federal SSI and have their own rules. Your local Social Security office can tell you whether your state has additional programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen to receive SSI. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access. You will need to provide proof of your immigration status when you apply.

What happens to my SSI if I get married?

Your resource limit increases when you marry, because the Social Security Administration counts both spouses' resources together. Your income limit also changes. If your spouse works or receives benefits, that income counts toward your household income. You should report your marriage to Social Security right away so they can recalculate your payment.

Can I receive SSI while I am in school?

Yes, but there are limits. If you are under 22 and a full-time student, you can earn more money from work without losing as much SSI. The earnings limit for students is higher than for non-students. Once you turn 22 or stop being a full-time student, the regular earnings limit applies.

What if I disagree with the decision on my application?

You can request a reconsideration, which means Social Security will review your case again. You have 60 days from the date of the decision letter to request this. If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can represent yourself or have a lawyer or advocate help you.

Does receiving SSI affect my ability to get other benefits?

SSI can affect your may be able to access for some programs like housing assistance or food assistance, because those programs also have income and resource limits. However, SSI may help you may have access to for other programs because it counts as proof of disability or low income. Check with your local housing authority or benefits office about how SSI affects your specific situation.