Who can qualify
- Age 65 or older, blind, or disabled (adults and children under the SSA definition).
- Limited income and resources (see below).
- U.S. citizen or certain non-citizens, living in the U.S. (the 50 states, D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands).
Payment amounts
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum federal payment, individual | $994 | $1,029 |
| Maximum federal payment, couple | $1,491 | $1,544 |
| Resource limit, individual | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Resource limit, couple | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Your actual payment is reduced by your countable income, and some states add a supplement on top.
How income counts
- SSA ignores the first $20 a month of most income.
- For earnings, it also ignores the first $65 and then half of the rest, so working a little does not wipe out SSI.
- Other benefits, such as Social Security, count as income and reduce SSI.
What counts as resources
Cash, bank accounts, stocks, and extra property count. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, and up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses generally do not count. Money in a qualifying ABLE account up to $100,000 does not count toward the SSI resource limit.
Living arrangements and the food rule
Help with housing from others is called in-kind support and maintenance (ISM). It can reduce your SSI by up to one-third of the federal rate plus $20, which is $351.33 a month in 2026. Since September 30, 2024, food no longer counts as ISM, so groceries or meals provided by family, friends, or charities no longer reduce your payment. Only shelter-related support (such as rent-free housing) can reduce it.
Marriage and household
If you are married and both spouses are eligible, the couple rate applies. A spouse's income and resources count even if the spouse does not receive SSI. For children, parents' income and resources count (called deeming) until the child turns 18.
How to apply
Apply with Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, online for some groups, or at an office. There is no application fee. You will need your identity documents, proof of income, and bank statements.