SSI is a federal income-support program for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65+. It's needs-based, meaning eligibility depends on how much money and assets you have, not on work history. This page explains SSI in plain language and provides practical guidance.
SSI is NOT Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). They're different programs with different rules. Many people confuse them or think they're the same—they're not.
SSI is:
- Needs-based: You qualify based on income and resources (assets)
- Monthly cash benefit: Provides money for basic needs
- Federal + State: Federal program, but some states add extra money
- Automatic Medicaid: Qualifying for SSI usually means you get Medicaid
- For any age: Available to children, working-age adults, and seniors
You can get SSI if you meet ALL of these requirements:
Disability/Age requirement:
- You're disabled (defined as unable to work due to medical condition lasting 12+ months or expected to result in death)
- You're blind
- You're age 65 or older
Income limit:
- Your monthly income is below the federal limit ($943/month in 2024, but varies by state)
- Some income doesn't count toward this limit
Resource limit:
- Your countable resources are under $2,000 (for individuals; $3,000 for couples)
- Some resources don't count (see below)
Citizenship/residency:
- U.S. citizen OR legal resident (some restrictions apply)
- Live in the U.S. (not outside the country more than 30 consecutive days)
Work:
- You're not working above substantial gainful activity level ($1,550/month in 2024)
- Work incentives allow you to work and earn some money without losing SSI
Monthly benefit amount: Federal base rate is $943/month (2024), but varies by state. Some states pay more.
Your actual payment depends on:
- How much other income you have (SSI counts some income)
- Whether you have a spouse and their income
- Where you live (some states supplement)
- Living situation (living with family can reduce benefits)
Important: SSI is taxed as federal income assistance, so the amount you receive is what you get—no additional tax benefit.
- Primary home (house you live in, any value)
- One car (up to certain value, used for transportation)
- Assistive technology and medical equipment
- Burial plots (yours and spouse's)
- Life insurance (face value under $1,500)
- Needed medical equipment for disability
- Essential items for self-sufficiency
- Bank accounts (savings, checking)
- Stocks and bonds
- Property you don't live in
- Extra vehicles
- Money (cash)
- Most valuable personal property
Earned income (from work):
- First $65/month doesn't count
- 50% of remaining earnings don't count
- So you can earn ~$1,200 and still get some SSI
Unearned income (not from work):
- Social Security benefits
- SSDI
- Pensions
- Unemployment insurance
- Most other benefits
- Gifts over $20/month
- Child support
Income that doesn't count:
- First $20 of any income each month
- Food stamps
- Housing assistance
- Some scholarships
- Some home energy assistance
- In-kind support (someone gives you food/shelter, not cash)
¶ Work and SSI
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS):
- Set aside income and resources for a specific work goal
- That money doesn't count against your limit
- Allows you to save for education, equipment, business, etc.
- Must have clear work goal and timeline
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE):
- Deduct costs of work-related disability expenses
- Examples: medical equipment for work, transportation, medication needed for work, assistance at work
- Reduces your countable earnings
Student Earned Income Exclusion:
- If you're under 22 and a student, some earnings don't count
- Up to $2,050/month (2024) or $8,200/year for school year
Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA):
- Free counseling on how work affects benefits
- Available in every state
- Can help you understand PASS, IRWE, other incentives
Step 1: Gather documents
- Proof of citizenship/residency (birth certificate, passport, etc.)
- Social Security number
- Proof of age
- Medical records showing disability
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, etc.)
- Proof of resources (bank statements, etc.)
- Proof of living situation
Step 2: Apply
- Online: www.ssa.gov
- By phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- In person: Local Social Security office
Step 3: Wait
- Initial decision takes 3-5 months (can be faster or slower)
- You'll get letter with decision
Step 4: If approved
- Benefits start after 1 month waiting period
- You get Medicaid
- Ongoing reporting requirements (changes in income, resources, living situation, etc.)
Social Security wants evidence that your disability:
- Started before age 22 (if claiming disability)
- Will last at least 12 months or result in death
- Prevents substantial work
Evidence includes:
- Medical records from doctors
- Hospital records
- Lab results
- Mental health records
- Functional limitations (what you can't do)
- How disability affects your daily life
Better evidence:
- Recent medical records (within last 3 months)
- Consistent treatment
- Multiple sources (doctors, therapists, specialists)
- Specific functional limitations
- How it affects work
If you're eligible for SSI, you automatically get Medicaid in most states. Medicaid provides:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Dental (limited, varies by state)
- Vision (limited, varies by state)
- Assistive devices
- Other services
Medicaid continues even if you start working (in most states).
Social Security periodically reviews whether you still qualify:
How often they review:
- Medical improvement likely: Every 6-18 months
- Medical improvement possible: Every 3 years
- Medical improvement unlikely: Every 7 years
What they look for:
- Has your condition improved?
- Can you work now?
- Have your circumstances changed?
If they say you're not disabled anymore:
- You can appeal
- You get a trial work period if they think you can work
- Medicaid continues during appeal
Levels of appeal:
- Reconsideration: Social Security looks at claim again
- Hearing: Administrative Law Judge hears your case
- Appeals Council: Final appeal to Social Security
- Federal Court: Can file lawsuit
Time limits:
- Request reconsideration within 60 days of denial
- Request hearing within 60 days of reconsideration denial
- Request appeals council within 60 days of hearing decision
- File federal court case within 60 days of appeals council decision
Getting help:
- Free from legal aid organizations
- Free from disability advocates
- Can hire lawyer (can charge percentage of past-due benefits)
- Some organizations do pro bono work
¶ Living Situation and SSI
Where you live affects your SSI payment:
If you live with parents or other family:
- Benefit may be reduced (in-kind support and maintenance)
- Amount depends on situation
- Varies by circumstance
If you live independently:
- Full SSI payment (minus other income)
If you're homeless:
- Still eligible for SSI
- Payment goes to representative payee (trusted person)
- Medicaid continues
If you live in group home:
- Depends on home type
- Some group homes run by nonprofits (payment isn't reduced)
- Some private arrangements (may be reduced)
You can receive SSI and:
- SSDI (if both eligible)
- VA benefits (no limit)
- SSI + one counts toward the other's limits
- Workers' compensation (can affect SSI)
- Other assistance programs (usually allowed)
Overpayment issue: If you're overpaid, Social Security may recover it. Understanding how benefits combine helps avoid this.
You must report changes within 10 days:
- Change in income
- Change in resources
- Change in living situation
- Marriage or divorce
- Death of someone in household
- Work changes
- Medical improvement
Failure to report can result in:
- Overpayment you have to repay
- Loss of benefits
- Fraud investigation
Many people report online through my Social Security account.
¶ Advocacy and Support
Getting help navigating SSI:
- Disability Rights organizations
- Legal aid (free legal help for low-income)
- Accredited representatives (Social Security approved)
- Pro bono lawyers
- Disability advocates
- WIPA programs (free benefits planning)
Organizations:
| Feature |
SSI |
SSDI |
| Based on |
Need (income/resources) |
Work history |
| Requires |
Income below limit |
Work history/quarters |
| Amount |
Fixed federal + state |
Based on earnings record |
| Medicaid |
Automatic |
In most states, must qualify separately |
| Work |
Limited earnings allowed |
More generous work incentives |
| Family help |
"In-kind support" reduces benefit |
Doesn't affect benefit |
Myth: "I can't work at all on SSI"
Truth: You can work and earn ~$1,200/month and still get some SSI
Myth: "SSI is permanent once you get it"
Truth: Social Security periodically reviews; if you improve, benefits can end
Myth: "If I get married, I lose SSI"
Truth: You don't lose SSI, but spouse's income counts toward your limit
Myth: "Gifts count as income"
Truth: Most gifts don't count; only $20/month of gifts count
Myth: "I can't save money on SSI"
Truth: You can save up to $2,000; also PASS plan lets you save for work goal
- Check if you qualify: Use SSA.gov tool or call 1-800-772-1213
- Gather documents: Get medical records, proof of income/resources
- Apply: Online, by phone, or in person
- Follow up: Check status, provide additional information if requested
- Get help: Contact disability advocates if denied or need support
Have you navigated SSI? Know about resources that should be included? Have lived experience?
We welcome contributions from SSI recipients, disability advocates, legal professionals, and others helping disabled people access benefits.
Contribute →
Last updated: [Date]
Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Benefits Team
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Need immediate help? Call Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)