Navigating the process of qualifying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can feel overwhelming, especially with the different eligibility categories and financial requirements. Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about SSI, from understanding the benefits and meeting income and resource limits to navigating the application process and appealing a denial.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It offers financial help to people with limited income and resources. SSI is meant to cover basic living expenses like food, housing, and clothing for eligible individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled. Unlike Social Security benefits, which are based on a person's work history, SSI eligibility depends mainly on financial criteria.
SSI is available to both adults and children, though the requirements for each group may vary slightly. The amount of SSI benefits you get depends on your income, resources, and living situation.
Note: in most states, if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are automatically eligible for Medicaid. These states have linked SSI eligibility with Medicaid enrollment, meaning you don't need to apply separately for Medicaid.
You may also be eligible for additional federal benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or state benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
To get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must meet specific requirements based on age, blindness, or qualifying disability. These categories ensure that people needing financial help the most can get it, regardless of their work history.
Individuals 65 or older are eligible for SSI under the "aged" category. You don't need a medical check to qualify. But you still need to meet SSI's income and resource limits to get benefits. Many older adults who do not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits due to insufficient work credits can turn to SSI for support.
People who are legally blind may qualify for SSI benefits under the "blindness" category. For SSI purposes, legal blindness is defined as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye using corrective lenses or a field of vision limitation in your better eye with a visual field of no greater than 20 degrees. Individuals who are blind may qualify for SSI even if they are under 65, and their benefits are not affected by their previous work experience. Similar to the aged category, applicants must also meet income and resource limits to receive assistance.
Those who are under the age of 65 and have a qualifying disability can apply for SSI benefits through the "disability" category. A disability is a physical or mental condition that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death and prevents you from doing "substantial gainful activity" (SGA), meaning work that provides a certain level of income. Children can also qualify if they have a serious health condition that limits their abilities. There are income and resource rules that apply to all applicants.
The SSI program helps people with limited income and resources. The Social Security Administration looks at both your earned and unearned income to decide if you qualify for SSI and how much you can get each month, though not all income counts towards the limits.
Your countable income is what the SSA uses to decide if you qualify for benefits and how much you can get. It includes money from work and money from other sources like pensions, Social Security, unemployment benefits, or cash gifts. If you have more countable income, your SSI benefit will be lower because SSI is meant to add to your income up to a certain level.
Certain types of income are excluded, or "exempt," from calculating your SSI benefits. Exempt income can include:
These exclusions help reduce the amount of income the SSA counts toward your eligibility, allowing you to receive more benefits than you might otherwise.
The SSI program has strict income limits, and your eligibility is based on how much countable income you have.
In 2024, if you apply for SSI as an individual, your countable income must not be more than $914 per month. Your SSI benefit will be based on your countable income. If, for example, your countable income is $400 per month, your SSI benefit will be $514, so that your total income reaches $914. We recommend you check the SSA website for the latest figures.
If both spouses in a couple are eligible for SSI, the income limit is higher, but there are still specific rules to follow. In 2024, the federal benefit rate for a couple is $1,371 per month. Couples, like individuals, must make sure that their countable income does not exceed this amount to qualify. If only one spouse is eligible for SSI, the SSA still considers both spouses' income when calculating the eligible spouse's benefit.
Even if you make more money than the SSI limits, you might still get a smaller benefit if you qualify for certain exceptions or exclusions. Also, SSI benefits are different in each state. Some states give extra payments that can increase the total support you can get.
To qualify for benefits from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, you must meet strict resource limits in addition to income. Resources include assets such as cash, property, and other valuable items that you own. When determining eligibility, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers both countable and exempt resources.
Countable resources are the assets that the SSA considers when evaluating your eligibility for SSI, including:
For 2024, the resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. If your countable resources exceed these limits, you will not be eligible for SSI benefits.
Certain resources are excluded from the calculation of your total assets, including:
By not counting these resources, the SSA makes sure that people can still have important things like a home and car without losing their SSI benefits.
To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must meet specific residency, citizenship, and immigration status requirements, in addition to income and resource limitations.
To get SSI, you must live in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. If you live in other areas, like Puerto Rico, you can't get SSI. Also, you need to be in the U.S. for at least 30 days in a row to keep getting benefits. If you stay away from the country for too long, your payments might stop.
SSI is available to U.S. citizens. Some non-citizens may also qualify if they meet specific conditions. Certain lawful permanent residents (LPRs), refugees, asylees, and other qualified non-citizens may be eligible if they meet the SSA's residency and documentation requirements. Non-citizens must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years in a qualifying status, though there are exceptions for certain humanitarian statuses like refugees and asylees.
If you have unsatisfied felony warrants or are incarcerated, you may not be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, even if you meet the income, resource, and eligibility requirements.
If you have a warrant for a serious crime that has not been taken care of, you cannot get SSI benefits. The Social Security Administration sees a warrant that has not been resolved as a sign that you are avoiding the law. If you have an outstanding warrant, your SSI payments will stop until the warrant is taken care of. After the warrant is resolved, either by turning yourself in or through legal processes, you can apply for benefits again.
If you are found guilty of a crime and are sent to jail or prison for more than 30 days, your SSI benefits will be stopped. You won't get any payments while you are incarcerated. When you are released, you can ask to get your benefits again, but you will need to reapply and let the SSA know when you were released.
Applying for SSI involves a few straightforward steps.
After you apply for SSI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your case. This review may take a few weeks or even months. They will evaluate your financial situation, medical condition (if applicable), and other factors.
Please respond promptly and provide all requested information to the SSA to avoid delays. The SSA may ask for more documents or clarification on some parts of your application. Not responding on time could lead to a denial or longer wait times for a decision.
You're required to report your monthly wages so that the SSA can accurately calculate your monthly benefits based on your current earnings. Your SSI benefits depend on your income, so if you don't report your wages on time, you could end up with overpayments that you'd have to pay back or underpayments, meaning you might miss out on benefits you're entitled to.
To report your wages, you can use the SSA's online reporting system, mobile app, or call their toll-free number at 1 (800) 772-1213. Keep your pay stubs or other proof of earnings to make sure the information is accurate and avoid delays.
After you start getting SSI, specific changes in your life can affect your eligibility or how much you get. These include changes in your income, what you own, where you live, if you get married, or your health. For example, if you start making more money or receive new resources, your SSI benefits may go down or stop.
If the Social Security Administration denies your SSI application, they will send you a letter explaining why. This could be because you didn't meet the financial or medical requirements. It's important to carefully read the letter, as it will be the basis for your appeal.
You have 60 days from when you get the denial letter to ask for an appeal. You can do this online, by mail, or at your local SSA office. Make sure to include any extra documents that address the reason for your denial. If you're denied again, you can ask for a hearing with a judge.
We know navigating financial assistance programs like SSI can be complex, especially for family caregivers. As a reminder, in most states, if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Use our free program matching tool to check your eligibility for Medicaid programs with a caregiver pay option.
