SSI Eligibility Calculator 2025

Check if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income

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2025 updated

Check Your SSI Eligibility

Fill out the form below to see if you qualify for SSI benefits.

Include wages, Social Security, pensions, and other income sources

Include cash, bank accounts, investments, and other assets

SSI is available for people 65+ or those with disabilities

Must have a severe disability that prevents substantial work

Legal blindness has specific vision requirements

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 2026 Complete Guide

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older. Unlike SSDI, you do not need any past work history to qualify for SSI, as it is strictly a needs-based safety net program.

2026 SSI Payment Amounts

The federal government sets a standard maximum monthly payment amount for SSI, known as the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For 2026, the maximum monthly SSI payments are:

  • Individual: Approximately $943 per month
  • Eligible Couple: Approximately $1,415 per month

Many states add a small "state supplement" to this federal payment. However, your actual payment may be reduced if you have other sources of income, or if you receive free food and shelter (known as In-Kind Support and Maintenance).

Strict Asset and Resource Limits

Because SSI is a welfare program, it has extremely strict resource limits. To qualify in 2026, your countable assets cannot exceed:

  • $2,000 for an individual
  • $3,000 for a married couple

What doesn't count: The home you live in and the land it is on, one vehicle used for transportation, household goods, and ABLE accounts (up to $100,000) are generally excluded from this limit.

Medical Eligibility

If you are under age 65, you must meet the same strict medical definition of disability as the SSDI program. You must have a physical or mental impairment that severely limits your ability to do basic work activities and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. In most states, if you are approved for SSI, you automatically qualify for Medicaid.

About SSI Benefits

What is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability.

  • Monthly cash payments for basic needs
  • Available to elderly, blind, and disabled
  • Based on financial need, not work history
  • Can be combined with other benefits
  • Automatic Medicaid eligibility in most states

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SSI, you must meet several requirements:

  • Age/Disability: 65+ or have qualifying disability
  • Income: Below SSI income limits
  • Resources: Below $2,000 ($3,000 for couples)
  • Citizenship: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Residency: Live in the U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands

2025 SSI Limits

SSI has strict income and resource limits. For 2025:

$943

Maximum Monthly Benefit (Individual)

$2,000

Resource Limit (Individual)

$1,971

Monthly Income Limit (Individual)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between SSI and SSDI?

SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. SSDI is based on work credits and is available to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.

Can I work and still receive SSI?

Yes, but your SSI benefit will be reduced based on your earnings. SSI has special work incentives that allow you to keep more of your benefits while working.

How do I apply for SSI?

You can apply for SSI in several ways:

  • Online at ssa.gov
  • By phone at 1-800-772-1213
  • In person at a Social Security office

What counts as income for SSI?

SSI counts most types of income:

  • Wages from work
  • Social Security benefits
  • Pensions and retirement benefits
  • Unemployment benefits

Find Benefits Near You

Select your city below to see hyper-local government assistance offices, exact income limits, and localized application guides. Or use our ZIP Code Locator Tool for your specific neighborhood.

SSI Benefits 2025 — Complete Guide to Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash payments to low-income adults and children who are blind, disabled, or aged 65+. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not based on work history — it is a needs-based program funded from general tax revenues.

In 2025, approximately 7.4 million Americans receive SSI. The maximum federal SSI benefit for 2025 is $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for a couple, following a 2.5% COLA increase from January 2025.

2025 SSI Payment Amounts & Resource Limits

Category2025 Amount2024 AmountChange (2.5% COLA)
Individual Maximum Benefit$967/month$943/month+$24
Couple Maximum Benefit$1,450/month$1,415/month+$35
Essential Person (in household)$484/month$472/month+$12
Resource Limit — Individual$2,000$2,000Unchanged
Resource Limit — Couple$3,000$3,000Unchanged
SGA (non-blind)$1,620/month$1,550/month+$70
SGA (blind)$2,700/month$2,590/month+$110

Source: SSA.gov — 2025 SSI Amounts

What Counts as a "Resource" for SSI? (The $2,000 Limit)

SSI has a strict $2,000 resource limit for individuals ($3,000 for couples). Many people are confused about what counts. Here's what does and does NOT count:

COUNTS Toward Limit

  • ✗ Cash and bank accounts
  • ✗ Stocks, bonds, mutual funds
  • ✗ Second real estate property
  • ✗ Extra vehicles (non-essential)
  • ✗ Life insurance (cash value over $1,500)

EXCLUDED (Does NOT Count)

  • ✓ Primary home you live in
  • ✓ One vehicle (any value)
  • ✓ Household goods and personal effects
  • ✓ ABLE account assets (up to $100,000)
  • ✓ Burial funds up to $1,500
  • ✓ Retroactive SSI/SSDI payments (9 months)

How SSI Benefits Are Reduced by Income

SSI uses an income formula that is more generous than you might expect:

SSI Benefit = $967 − Countable Income

Countable earned income = (Gross wages − $65) ÷ 2  (after $20 general exclusion)

Example: Earn $500/mo → Countable = ($500−$65)÷2 = $217.50 → SSI = $967−$217.50 = $749.50/mo

SSI FAQ 2025

Yes. SSI recipients in most states are categorically eligible for SNAP and automatically qualify without a separate income/resource test. Use our SNAP calculator to estimate your food benefits.
In most states, receiving SSI automatically qualifies you for Medicaid as well. This is called "categorical eligibility." You don't need to apply separately for Medicaid in these states — it comes automatically with SSI approval.
Yes — unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history. It is based entirely on financial need and disability/age status. Children, elderly adults with no work history, and adults who became disabled before working can all receive SSI.
An ABLE account (Achieving a Better Life Experience) allows people with disabilities to save money without it counting against the SSI $2,000 resource limit — up to $100,000. This is a major planning tool that lets SSI recipients build savings for disability-related expenses without losing benefits.

Reviewed by SSA Benefits Specialists

2025 SSI amounts from SSA.gov official COLA tables. Resource exclusion rules per 20 CFR Part 416.

Last verified: Feb 20252.5% COLA confirmed

Official Sources

↗ SSA.gov — SSI Program ↗ SSA — 2025 SSI Amounts ↗ SSA — What Are Resources? ↗ SSA — How Income Affects SSI

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