What SSI payments are and who receives them

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly cash payment from the Social Security Administration for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. The payment goes directly to you or to a representative payee if you cannot manage money yourself. SSI is separate from Social Security retirement or disability benefits — it is a needs-based program, meaning your income and assets determine whether you receive it and how much you get.

The Social Security Administration decides how much you receive based on your living situation, other income, and the resources you own. If you live alone and have no other income, you receive the full federal payment amount. If you live with others, receive other income, or own certain assets, your payment may be reduced or you may not receive SSI at all.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI payments arrive on the first, fourth, ninth, or eighteenth of each month depending on your birth date, and the Social Security Administration deposits the money directly into your bank account.
  • The federal payment amount changes each year on January 1, and your state may add extra money on top of the federal amount.
  • Your payment decreases if you earn wages, receive other income, or own resources above the limit, so you must report changes to Social Security within ten days.
  • You can receive SSI payments while working if your earnings stay below the monthly limit, and Social Security offers work incentives that let you keep part of your benefits while you earn.

Payment schedules and how the money reaches you

SSI payments arrive on a set schedule based on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, you receive your payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive it on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive it on the fourth Wednesday. The Social Security Administration deposits the money directly into your bank account — you cannot receive SSI by check or in person.

You must have a bank account, savings account, or prepaid card account to receive SSI. If you do not have one, you can open an account at most banks and credit unions, or you can use a prepaid card designed for federal benefits. When you first explore for SSI, Social Security will ask for your banking information. If your account information changes, you must update it through your Social Security account online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local Social Security office.

If someone else manages your money as your representative payee, the payment still goes to a bank account — either yours or the payee's account. The payee must use the money for your current maintenance, such as food, shelter, and medical care, and must keep records of how the money is spent.

Federal payment amounts and state supplements

The federal SSI payment amount is set by Congress and changes each year on January 1 based on the cost of living. The amount varies depending on your living situation. If you live alone and pay your own rent or mortgage, you receive the full federal amount. If you live in someone else's household and do not pay for food or shelter, your payment is reduced by one-third. If you live in a medical facility such as a nursing home and Medicaid pays part of your care, your payment is limited to a small monthly amount.

Many states add their own money on top of the federal SSI payment. The amount of the state supplement varies widely — some states add nothing, while others add several hundred dollars per month. Your total SSI payment is the federal amount plus any state supplement you receive. You can find your state's current SSI payment amounts on the Social Security Administration website or by calling your local Social Security office.

How income and resources affect your payment

Social Security counts your income and resources to determine your SSI payment. Income is money you receive, such as wages from work, Social Security benefits, pensions, or help from family members. Resources are things you own, such as a bank account, car, or house. Social Security has limits on both.

If you have resources worth more than $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married and both receive SSI), you do not receive SSI. The limit includes cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one car do not count toward the resource limit. If you receive income, Social Security subtracts $20 per month, then counts half of what remains. For example, if you earn $100 per month, Social Security subtracts $20, leaving $80. Half of $80 is $40, so your SSI payment is reduced by $40.

You must report changes in your income or resources to Social Security within ten days. If you start working, receive a bonus, inherit money, or sell an asset, you must report it. If you do not report changes, Social Security may overpay you and ask you to repay the money later.

Working while receiving SSI

You can work and receive SSI at the same time if your earnings stay below the monthly limit. Social Security offers work incentives designed to help you keep part of your benefits while you earn wages. The most common incentive is the Student Earned Income Exclusion, which lets students exclude up to $2,170 per month in earnings (the amount changes each year). Another incentive is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal, such as education or starting a business.

If you work, you must report your earnings to Social Security each month. You can report online through your Social Security account, by phone, or in person. Social Security uses your reported earnings to calculate your payment for the following month. If you stop working or your earnings change, you must report that change within ten days.

What to do if your payment changes or stops

Your SSI payment can change if your income, resources, or living situation changes. If Social Security sends you a notice that your payment is changing, the notice will explain why and when the change takes effect. If you disagree with the change, you can request a reconsideration within 60 days of the notice. During reconsideration, Social Security reviews your case again and may change its decision.

Your SSI can stop if your resources exceed the limit, your income is too high, you move out of the country, you are no longer disabled or blind, or you reach age 65 and convert to Social Security retirement benefits. If your SSI stops, you will receive a notice explaining why. If you believe the decision is wrong, you can request a reconsideration or appeal.

Reporting changes and staying in contact with Social Security

You are responsible for telling Social Security about changes that affect your SSI payment. Changes you must report include starting or stopping work, a change in your earnings, moving to a new address, a change in your living situation, receiving other income, getting married or divorced, and changes in your resources. You have ten days to report most changes.

You can report changes online through your Social Security account at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. If you have a representative payee, the payee may report changes on your behalf. If you do not report changes, Social Security may overpay you, and you will be asked to return the overpayment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day of the month do I get my SSI payment?

Your payment arrives on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month depending on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through 10th, you receive it on the second Wednesday. If born on the 11th through 20th, the third Wednesday. If born on the 21st through 31st, the fourth Wednesday. The exact date changes each month.

Can I receive SSI if I have a job?

Yes, you can work and receive SSI if your earnings stay below the monthly limit. Social Security counts half of your earnings above $20 per month toward your income. Work incentives such as the Student Earned Income Exclusion or Plan to Achieve Self-Support may let you earn more and keep more of your benefits. You must report your earnings each month.

What happens if I don't report a change in my income?

If you do not report a change in income within ten days, Social Security may overpay you. You will receive a notice asking you to repay the overpayment. The repayment can be taken from your future SSI payments or you may be able to set up a payment plan. Reporting changes on time helps you avoid overpayments.

Does my home count as a resource for SSI?

No, your home does not count toward the $2,000 resource limit, no matter how much it is worth. One car also does not count. Other things you own, such as bank accounts, stocks, and a second vehicle, do count toward the limit.

Can my SSI payment be reduced if I live with family?

Yes, if you live in someone else's household and do not pay for your food or shelter, your SSI payment is reduced by one-third of the federal amount. If you pay your share of the rent and food costs, the reduction may not explore. The reduction depends on your specific living arrangement and what you pay for.