SSI is for people who are blind, disabled, or 65 and older with very low income and few assets

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash payment program run by the Social Security Administration. You must meet three conditions at the same time: you must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled; your monthly income must be below a set limit; and your countable assets must be below a set limit. SSI is not based on work history — it is a needs-based program, meaning the government looks at what you have and what you earn right now, not what you paid into Social Security.

The income and asset limits change each year. For 2024, the monthly income limit for a single person is $943 and the asset limit is $2,000. For a couple, the income limit is $1,415 and the asset limit is $3,000. These numbers are set by federal law and apply everywhere in the country, though some states add extra money on top of the federal SSI payment.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled to receive SSI; disability means you cannot work for at least 12 months or have a condition expected to result in death.
  • Your monthly income must fall below the federal limit ($943 for individuals in 2024), and your countable assets cannot exceed $2,000 for a single person.
  • Not all income counts toward the limit — the first $65 of earned income per month and the first $20 of any income are excluded, and some types of income do not count at all.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to noncitizen, and you must live in the United States or one of its territories.
  • The Social Security Administration determines disability through a medical review process that takes several months, and you can request reconsideration or appeal if denied.

Age, Blindness, and Disability Requirements

You can receive SSI if you are 65 or older, regardless of your work history or health. You do not need to prove anything medical — age alone qualifies you if your income and assets are low enough.

If you are under 65, you must be blind or disabled. Blindness means your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye with correction, or your visual field is 20 degrees or less. Disability means you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration has a list of conditions that automatically meet this standard, but you can also show that your specific condition prevents work even if it is not on the list.

The disability information process is handled by your state's Disability information Services office, which reviews your medical records, work history, and age. This review typically takes three to five months. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge, then further appeals.

Income Limits and What Counts as Income

Your monthly income must be below the federal limit to receive SSI. The limit for 2024 is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. However, not all income counts the same way. The first $65 of earned income (money from work) per month is excluded, and the first $20 of any income from any source is excluded. After that, only half of your remaining earned income counts.

Some types of income do not count at all. These include the first $2,000 of food and shelter assistance per year, some in-kind support (food or shelter given to you directly rather than as cash), student aid used for tuition or fees, and certain tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. Unearned income — such as pensions, unemployment benefits, or money from family members — counts dollar for dollar after the $20 exclusion.

If you work, you should report your earnings to Social Security right away. Working can actually help you keep your SSI payment because of the income exclusions. For example, if you earn $200 a month, only $70 counts toward your income limit ($200 minus $65 work exclusion minus $20 general exclusion), so your SSI payment is reduced by only $70 rather than $200.

Asset Limits and What Counts as Assets

Your countable assets cannot exceed $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. Assets are things you own that can be turned into cash. A car, a house you live in, household goods, and personal effects do not count. Money in a bank account, stocks, bonds, and a second property do count.

Some assets are excluded entirely. These include your primary residence and the land it sits on, one vehicle regardless of value, household goods and personal effects, life insurance with a face value under $1,500, and certain burial funds. If you receive a lump sum — such as a tax refund, inheritance, or back pay — you have nine months to spend it down below the limit or it will make you ineligible for SSI.

You should report changes in your assets to Social Security within 10 days. If your assets go over the limit, your SSI stops, but it can restart once your assets fall back below the limit.

Citizenship and Residency Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to noncitizen to receive SSI. may have access to noncitizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other categories defined by federal law. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for SSI.

You must also live in the United States or one of its territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands). If you leave the country for more than 30 days, your SSI payment stops. If you return, you can restart your benefits, but there is a waiting period.

How to Start the Process

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. You will need to provide proof of age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and information about your income and assets. If you are applying based on disability or blindness, you will also need medical records and a list of doctors and hospitals that have treated you.

After you apply, Social Security sends your case to your state's Disability information Services if you are claiming disability. That office requests your medical records and may schedule a consultative exam. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether you are approved or denied. If you are approved, your first payment usually arrives within one to two months.

If you are denied, the notice will explain why. You have 60 days to request reconsideration, which means Social Security will review your case again with a different examiner. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days of that decision.

Work Incentives and Continuing to Receive SSI While Working

SSI has built-in work incentives so that earning money does not immediately end your benefits. The first $65 of monthly earnings is excluded, plus half of the rest. This means you can earn up to roughly $1,900 a month and still receive some SSI payment (depending on other income). Many people use this to transition back to work gradually.

There are also programs like Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) that let you set aside income and assets for a specific work goal without losing SSI. For example, you could use PASS to save money for job training or a business startup. Social Security has work incentives specialists at local offices who can explain these options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SSI if I am already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits?

No. If you receive Social Security benefits (SSDI or retirement), you cannot also receive SSI. However, if your Social Security payment is very low, you may be able to receive SSI to bring your total income up to the SSI limit. This is called SSI with deemed income.

What happens to my SSI if I get married?

Your income and asset limits increase when you marry. The couple limit for income is $1,415 and for assets is $3,000 (in 2024). Your spouse's income and assets count toward these limits, so marriage may reduce or end your SSI payment depending on your spouse's finances.

Can I receive SSI while I am in prison or a hospital?

No. SSI stops if you are in a public institution like a prison or state hospital. It can restart when you are released. If you are in a private hospital or nursing home, SSI continues but is reduced to $30 per month.

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

Social Security reviews SSI cases periodically, but the frequency depends on your situation. If your condition is expected to improve, you may be reviewed every one to three years. If your condition is not expected to improve, reviews are less frequent. You must report changes in income, assets, living situation, or work status within 10 days.

What if I disagree with the amount of my SSI payment?

Request a detailed payment calculation from Social Security showing how they counted your income and assets. If you believe there is an error, you can ask for reconsideration. Bring documentation of your actual income and assets — pay stubs, bank statements, or letters from employers or benefit programs.