What Supplemental Security Income Is

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal cash payment program run by the Social Security Administration for people who have very low income and few assets. It is separate from Social Security retirement or disability benefits, though the same agency administers both. SSI serves three groups: people aged 65 and older, people who are blind, and people with disabilities. The payments go directly to you each month, and you can use the money for anything — food, rent, medical care, or other living expenses.

SSI is a needs-based program, which means your income and assets determine whether you receive payments and how much. This is different from Social Security retirement or disability benefits, which are based on your work history. You do not need to have worked to receive SSI. The federal government sets a base payment amount each year, and some states add extra money on top of the federal payment.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI serves people aged 65 or older, people who are blind, or people with disabilities, and requires income below roughly $1,000 per month and assets under $2,000 for an individual.
  • The federal payment amount changes each year; in 2024 the federal base is $943 per month for an individual, though some states pay more.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of non-citizen to receive SSI, and you cannot be outside the United States for more than 30 days in a row.
  • Income from work, gifts, and other sources reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after certain exclusions, so earning money affects what you receive.
  • You report changes in income, living situation, or household members to Social Security within 10 days, or you may lose benefits or owe money back.

Income and Asset Limits That Determine Your Payment

SSI has strict limits on how much income and assets you can have. For 2024, the asset limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Assets include money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own — but not your home or one vehicle. If you own more than these amounts, you do not receive SSI.

Income limits are lower. The federal base payment is $943 per month for an individual in 2024, which means your countable income must be below that amount to receive any payment. However, not all income counts the same way. The first $65 of earned income each month is excluded, and then half of what you earn above that is also excluded. Unearned income — such as gifts, support from family members, or other benefits — is counted dollar-for-dollar after a $20 monthly exclusion. This means if you work and earn $200 per month, only $67.50 counts toward your income limit ($200 minus $65, then half of the remaining $135).

Some states add their own SSI payments on top of the federal amount. These state supplements have their own income and asset rules, which may be slightly different from the federal limits. You need to check with your state's Social Security office to learn what your state pays and what its rules are.

Who Can Receive SSI Payments

You must meet one of three conditions: be 65 years old or older, be blind, or have a disability that prevents you from working. The Social Security Administration has a specific definition of disability for SSI purposes. A disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent you from doing substantial work. Blindness is defined as vision of 20/200 or worse in your better eye, even with glasses or contacts, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen in one of several categories: a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban/Haitian entrant, a victim of human trafficking, or a non-citizen child whose parent is in the military. Some non-citizens who were receiving SSI before August 1996 may still be able to receive it under different rules. If you are not in one of these categories, you cannot receive SSI no matter how low your income is.

You must also live in the United States and not be outside the country for more than 30 days in a row. If you leave for longer than 30 days, your SSI stops. It can restart when you return, but you must report your absence to Social Security.

How to Report Changes and Keep Your Benefits

Once you receive SSI, you must report certain changes within 10 days. These include changes in income, living situation, household members, citizenship status, or anything that might affect your payment. If you start working, you must report your earnings. If someone moves into your home or moves out, you must report that. If you receive a gift or inheritance, you must report it. Failing to report changes can result in overpayment — money you received but were not supposed to — and Social Security will ask you to pay it back.

You can report changes by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by using your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. Keep records of any changes, such as pay stubs, letters from employers, or documentation of gifts, so you have proof if Social Security asks questions later.

Work Incentives and How Earnings Affect Your Payment

SSI includes work incentives designed to help you earn money without losing all your benefits at once. The most important is the earned income exclusion: the first $65 of what you earn each month does not count, and then half of everything above that does not count either. This means you can earn some money and still receive most or all of your SSI payment.

There is also a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which allows you to set aside income and assets for a specific work goal — such as education, training, or starting a business — without those resources counting against your SSI limits. A PASS must be in writing and approved by Social Security before you start setting money aside. If you have a PASS, the money you set aside for your goal does not reduce your SSI payment.

Another option is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which allows you to deduct certain costs related to your disability from your earned income. For example, if you need a personal assistant to help you get to work, or special equipment, those costs can be deducted before your income is counted. You must document these expenses and report them to Social Security.

How SSI Differs From Social Security Disability Insurance

SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are both run by Social Security, but they are different programs with different rules. SSDI is based on your work history — you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes to receive it. SSI is needs-based and does not require work history. SSDI has no asset limit, while SSI limits assets to $2,000. SSDI has no income limit in the traditional sense, though your earnings can affect your payment. SSI counts income strictly and reduces your payment based on what you earn.

You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, though this is uncommon. If you receive SSDI and your payment is very low, you might also receive a small SSI payment to bring your total to the federal SSI base amount. This is called concurrent benefits. The rules for reporting changes and work incentives are different for each program, so you need to understand which one you receive.

State Supplements and How They Work

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements vary widely. Some states add a small amount — $10 to $50 per month — while others add significantly more. California, for example, adds substantial amounts for individuals and couples. New York, Massachusetts, and other states also have state supplements.

Each state sets its own income and asset limits for the state supplement, which may be different from the federal limits. Some states use the same limits as the federal program, while others are more generous. You must meet both the federal SSI rules and your state's rules to receive the state supplement. If you move to a different state, your payment may change because the state supplement changes. You should contact your state's Social Security office or your state's human services agency to learn what your state pays and what its specific rules are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I own a home?

Yes. Your home does not count as an asset for SSI purposes, no matter how much it is worth. However, the land and buildings must be your primary residence — the place where you actually live. If you own rental property or a second home, that counts as an asset and may disqualify you if your total assets exceed $2,000.

What happens to my SSI if I get married?

Your SSI payment will likely decrease because the asset limit for a couple is $3,000 instead of $2,000, but your combined countable income limit also increases. The federal base payment for a couple in 2024 is $1,415 per month, compared to $943 for an individual. Your spouse's income and assets count toward the couple's limits, so you must report the marriage to Social Security within 10 days.

Can I travel outside the United States while receiving SSI?

You can travel for up to 30 days without losing your SSI. If you stay outside the United States for more than 30 days in a row, your SSI stops. You must report your travel plans to Social Security before you leave, and you must report when you return so your benefits can restart. Some countries have restrictions on how long U.S. citizens can stay, so check travel requirements before you go.

Do I have to report gifts I receive?

Yes. Gifts count as unearned income and reduce your SSI payment. The first $20 of gifts per month is excluded, but anything above that counts dollar-for-dollar. If you receive a large gift, your SSI payment will be reduced in the month you receive it. You must report gifts within 10 days of receiving them.

What if I disagree with a decision Social Security made about my SSI?

You can request reconsideration, which means Social Security will review the decision again. You have 60 days from the date of the notice to request reconsideration. If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can also appeal after the hearing. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to start the appeal process.