What is SSI – Supplemental Security Income?
Along with Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income disability is our lawyers’ main practice area. SSI is a government program designed to help older, blind and/or disabled individuals—including children with disabilities, who have little or no income. SSI provides cash assistance to eligible individuals. For SSI purposes, individuals are considered blind if they meet specific visual criteria with corrective lenses. SSI is meant to offer assistance for basic needs – food, shelter and clothing. When determining eligibility, personal effects and household goods are excluded from countable resources.
SSI follows the same standards in terms of whether a person is disabled as Social Security Disability, providing monthly benefits to those who qualify. To be eligible, an individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents them from being able to gainfully work. However, the SSI program is funded by federal tax revenue, not Social Security taxes. It is a means based program, and is not based on the Social Security taxes that you have paid into the system.
Qualifying for SSI – Supplemental Security Income
Let our Ohio SSI attorneys help you qualify for SSI. You may have a limited income and still qualify for some SSI – Supplemental Security Income benefits. But, there are limits as to how much you can make, how much help from others you can receive, and how much assets you can own. These income and asset restrictions are set by law. The asset restrictions are also known as resource limits. The income limitations vary depending on your marital status, whether you have children, and the source of your income. Earned income is treated more favorably than unearned income. If you are married, income and resources from a spouse living in the same household may be deemed to you. For children, the income and resources of a parent who they live with will impact the child’s financial eligibility. An individual’s eligibility for SSI depends on meeting these financial and non-financial criteria. Benefit amounts are determined based on these limits and how close you are to them. After your income is calculated, SSI payments are determined by subtracting countable income from the Federal Benefit Rate. If you qualify for both SSDI and SSI (note that there is a five-month waiting period for SSDI), you may be able to receive SSI during the SSDI waiting period- if you meet the SSI financial requirements. SSI benefits may be suspended or your monthly amount may be changed depending on the monthly state of your financial situation.
The asset restrictions generally allow for one house that you live in and one car that you drive (SSI allows for one vehicle to be excluded from countable resources). Beyond that, you’re typically limited to $2000 ($3000 for couples) in assets, including:
- Cash, on hand or in the bank
- Land or real property (other than the exception for one house)
- Retirement accounts
- Stocks
- Life insurance
- Any other assets that could be converted to cash and used for food or shelter
When applying, you can create an online account to manage your SSI benefits. Payment amounts may change over time due to cost of living adjustments, changes in your living arrangements, changes in your marital status, changes in household composition, changes in household income, or changes in household assets. Some recipients receive Social Security Disability in addition to SSI. SSI funding and administrative costs are tracked by fiscal year, and the national economy can influence program funding and benefit adjustments.
SSI Benefits and Payment
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provide crucial monthly payments to eligible individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or living with a disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the SSI program, using specific eligibility requirements based on income, resources, and disability status to determine who qualifies. SSI benefits are designed to help recipients meet their basic needs—such as food, shelter, and clothing—when their own income and resources are limited.
The amount of the monthly payment an SSI beneficiary receives depends on several factors, including their countable income, living arrangements, and whether they receive other income such as Social Security benefits, pensions, or wages. For 2025, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $967 for an eligible individual and $1,450 for an eligible couple. These amounts may be reduced depending on the recipient’s living arrangements and household income. The SSA carefully reviews each case to ensure the payment amounts reflect the individual’s current circumstances.
In addition to the federal SSI payments, most states provide Medicaid coverage to SSI beneficiaries, giving them access to essential health care services. SSI recipients may also qualify for other assistance programs, such as housing assistance and food stamps, to further support their basic needs.
In addition to reviewing the financial requirements, The Social Security Administration also periodically reviews the eligibility of SSI recipients to confirm they still meet the program’s disability requirements. These reviews include checking income, resources, and disability status. It’s important for SSI recipients to report any changes in their household income, living arrangements, assets (including spousal) or disability status to the SSA promptly. These changes can affect one’s eligibility or payment amount. Prompt notification helps to to avoid overpayments or underpayments.
SSI benefits are also available to disabled children who have severe functional limitations. The SSA uses a different definition of disability for children. This ensures that children with significant disabilities can receive the support they need when their parents have limited income and resources.
Beyond SSI, the Social Security Administration offers additional programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and vocational rehabilitation services, to help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life.
SSI benefits, funded by the United States government through general revenues, play a vital role in supporting those over age 65, disabled adults, and disabled children who have limited income and resources. By providing monthly payments and access to essential services, the SSI program helps millions of Americans meet their basic needs and maintain a better standard of living.
Questions and Answers:
What is the difference between Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based upon being disabled and having certain financial needs. You cannot have over $2,000 in assets minus a home you live in and the car you drive and get SSI. Also, any income that you have or that your spouse has can cut into the amount of SSI that you can receive. SSD is based on the taxes that you paid. You can have an unlimited amount of assets and get SSD. Further, your spouse’s income and any unearned income that you have will not cut into your SSD. Earned income does not cut into SSD but if you make too much for too long you cannot be considered disabled.
What makes someone eligible for SSI?
To be eligible for SSI you must be considered disabled. This means that you must have health problems that prevent you from being able to work. Also, you must have limited financial means. Generally, you cannot have over $2,000 in assets minus your home and car ($3,000 if married). Additionally, any income that you have will cut into the SSI maximum of $967 per month. Unearned income cuts into this figure on essentially a dollar for dollar basis. Earned income cuts into this figure essentially at 50 cents on the dollar. Income that your spouse has can also reduce your SSI maximum. For a family with no children a spouse’s unearned income of just $517 per month begins to cut into the claimant’s SSI. SSI is eliminated if you have a spouse with unearned income of $1,511 per month provided that you have no minor children. A spouse’s earned income starts to cut into SSI at $1,079 per month. SSI would be eliminated if you have no minor children and your spouse earns $3,067 per month gross.
Can I get both Social Security Disability and SSI?
Yes. If your SSD amount is lower than the SSI maximum of $967 per month, you can get both SSD and SSI to bring your combined benefit up to about $987 per month. If your SSD amount is higher than the SSI maximum, you will only get SSD.
Does SSI count as income?
Yes. SSI is considered unearned income that can impact how much SSI is payable to a spouse. If both spouses are disabled, their combined SSI maximum is $1,491 per month.
Let Smith & Godios Inc. Help You Determine If You Qualify
The qualifications and application process can be complicated and confusing. Our Ohio SSI attorneys can help you determine what benefits you may be eligible for, we can help you fill out and submit the appropriate applications, and we can help you appeal any denial of benefits. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 877-351-2086. Our Akron, Ohio SSI Disability lawyers regularly represent disability clients at the Court in Akron, Ohio but our clients also come from the surrounding areas of Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Stow, Norton, Wadsworth, Medina, Green, Fairlawn, Richfield, New Franklin, Canton, Kent, Massillon, Ravenna, Rootstown, Tallmadge, Uniontown, Canal Fulton, Brunswick, and Wooster since we do represent all of Ohio.