What Social Security Income Is

Social Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash benefit program run by the Social Security Administration for people with low income who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It is separate from Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on your work history. SSI is a needs-based program — meaning your income and assets determine whether you receive money, not how much you paid into the system.

The program provides monthly cash payments directly to your bank account or through a debit card. The amount you receive depends on your countable income, the resources you own, and the state where you live, since some states add money to the federal SSI payment.

SSI also makes you automatically may be able to access for Medicaid in most states, which covers medical care. In a few states, you must explore for Medicaid separately even after SSI approval.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is a needs-based program for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources, not a program based on work history.
  • Your countable income and the value of resources you own determine your monthly payment amount, which varies by state.
  • You must have less than $2,000 in countable resources (or $3,000 if you are married and both spouses receive SSI) to receive payments.
  • SSI recipients in most states automatically receive Medicaid, which covers hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.
  • You report changes in income, living situation, or resources to Social Security within 10 days, or your payments may stop or be reduced.

Income and Resource Limits

To receive SSI, your countable income must fall below a certain amount each month. Countable income includes wages from work, unemployment benefits, pensions, and support from family members. Some income does not count: the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of anything above that, the first $20 of most other income each month, and certain types of support like food or shelter paid directly to a provider.

You must also own less than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married and both spouses receive SSI. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one vehicle do not count, and neither does a small amount of personal property. The Social Security Administration publishes a full list of what counts and what does not on its website.

If your income or resources exceed the limit, you will not receive SSI that month. If you earn money from work, report it to Social Security so they can calculate the correct payment amount — you may still receive a reduced benefit.

Who Can Receive SSI

You must meet one of three conditions: be 65 or older, be blind, or be disabled. Disability for SSI purposes means a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration has a specific list of conditions that automatically meet this standard, but you can also show that your condition prevents work even if it is not on the list.

Children under 18 can receive SSI if they have a disability that meets Social Security's definition. A parent or guardian applies on their behalf, and the child's own income and resources are counted, not the parent's.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for SSI.

How Much You Receive Each Month

The federal SSI payment amount changes each year based on cost-of-living increases. The exact amount you receive depends on your countable income and the state where you live. If you have no countable income, you receive the full federal rate. For every dollar of countable income above the monthly exclusions, your SSI payment is reduced by one dollar.

Some states supplement the federal SSI payment with additional state money. These state supplements vary widely — some states add $50 to $100 per month, while others add nothing. If you move to a different state, your payment amount may change.

If you are married and both spouses receive SSI, the payment calculation is different from a single person's. If only one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse's income and resources are counted in determining the payment.

Work Incentives and Reporting Requirements

Social Security has work incentives designed to help SSI recipients earn money without losing benefits when ready. The most common is the Student Earned Income Exclusion, which excludes up to $2,170 per month in earnings for students under 22 (the exact amount changes yearly). Another is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal without counting them toward the SSI limit.

You must report changes to Social Security within 10 days. Changes include starting or stopping work, a change in income amount, moving to a new address, changes in your living situation (such as moving in with someone else), marriage or divorce, or a change in your resources. Failure to report can result in overpayments that you must repay.

If you work, keep records of your earnings and report them each month. Social Security will recalculate your payment based on your actual income, and you may continue to receive a reduced benefit even while working.

How to Start Receiving SSI

You begin the process by contacting your local Social Security office in person, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. You will need to provide proof of age (a birth certificate or passport), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and information about your income and resources. If you are explore based on disability, you will need medical records and documentation of your condition.

Social Security will schedule an appointment to take your process. The process can take several months, especially if your case involves disability. You can check the status of your process online using your my Social Security account, or by calling the number above.

If Social Security denies your process, you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days. If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

SSI and Medicaid Coverage

In most states, receiving SSI automatically makes you may be able to access for Medicaid. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care. You do not pay a separate premium for Medicaid when you receive SSI — it is included as part of the program.

In a small number of states (Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, and New Hampshire), you must explore for Medicaid separately even after SSI approval. Contact your state Medicaid office to find out whether you need to take a separate step.

If your SSI payments stop because your income or resources exceed the limit, your Medicaid coverage may continue for a few months under a provision called Medicaid Continuation. The exact length varies by state, so check with your state Medicaid office about how long coverage lasts after SSI ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time?

Yes, but your Social Security retirement benefit is counted as income when calculating your SSI payment. If your retirement benefit is high enough, it may reduce or eliminate your SSI payment. Social Security will coordinate the two programs and pay you the correct total amount.

What happens to my SSI if I get married?

Your payment amount will be recalculated to include your spouse's income and resources. If your spouse also receives SSI, you will both receive reduced payments based on the couple's combined income and resources. You must report the marriage to Social Security within 10 days.

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

SSI payments stop if you are in a public institution like a prison or state hospital for more than one full month. Payments resume the month after you are released. If you are in a private hospital or nursing home, SSI continues but may be reduced depending on who pays for your care.

Does my home count as a resource for SSI?

No, your primary home does not count as a resource, no matter how much it is worth. One vehicle also does not count. Other real estate you own, such as rental property or a second home, does count toward your resource limit.

What if my income changes during the month?

Report the change to Social Security as soon as possible, but you have 10 days to report it. Social Security will recalculate your payment for the following month based on your new income. If you report late, you may owe back an overpayment.