The federal SSI payment limit for 2024

The maximum federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 per month for a couple, both living independently. These are the highest amounts the federal government will pay under Supplemental Security Income. Your actual payment may be lower if you have other income or resources, or if your state does not add money on top of the federal amount.

These federal maximums change once per year, usually in January, based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2024 amounts are higher than 2023 because of inflation. If you receive SSI, the Social Security Administration will tell you the new rate before it takes effect.

The federal maximum applies nationwide, but your state may add its own supplementary payment on top of it. Some states add nothing; others add $50 to $200 or more per month depending on your living situation and household size.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI maximum for 2024 is $943 monthly for one person and $1,415 for a couple, and these amounts increase each January based on inflation.
  • Your actual payment will be lower if you earn income from work, receive other benefits, or have savings or assets above the resource limit of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
  • Many states add supplementary payments on top of the federal amount, ranging from nothing to several hundred dollars depending on where you live and your household setup.
  • SSI payments are reduced dollar-for-dollar for most earned income after the first $65 per month, and for unearned income like pensions or Social Security after the first $20 per month.

How your actual payment is calculated

The federal maximum is a starting point, not a may provide. The Social Security Administration subtracts your other income from the maximum to find what you actually receive. If you work, they count your wages after you pass the first $65 per month earned-income exclusion. For every dollar you earn above that, your SSI payment drops by 50 cents (this is called the "earned income exclusion").

Unearned income — such as a pension, Social Security benefit, unemployment, or child support — is treated differently. The first $20 per month is not counted. After that, dollar-for-dollar reduction applies. If you receive $100 per month in unearned income, $80 of it reduces your SSI payment.

Your resources also matter. If you own more than $2,000 in countable assets (as an individual) or $3,000 (as a couple), you lose SSI entirely until your resources drop below the limit. A home you live in, one vehicle, and certain items do not count toward this limit, but bank accounts, stocks, and second properties do.

State supplementary payments and how they vary

About half of U.S. states run their own supplementary payment programs on top of the federal SSI amount. These state supplements are not uniform — they depend on where you live and your living arrangement. A person living independently in California may receive a different state supplement than someone in the same situation in New York.

Some states pay supplements only to people living in their own homes; others pay less if you live with family or in a group setting. A few states have no state supplement at all. The amount ranges from roughly $50 to $300 per month in most states that offer it. To find out what your state pays, contact your local Social Security office or your state's human services department.

If you move to a different state, your federal SSI payment stays the same, but your state supplement changes based on your new state's rules. This can mean a significant increase or decrease in your total monthly payment.

What counts as income and what does not

Wages from a job count as earned income. So do net earnings from self-employment. Gifts, in-kind support (like someone paying your rent directly), and certain other payments are treated as unearned income or may reduce your payment in other ways.

Some income does not count at all. The first $20 per month of any unearned income is excluded. The first $65 per month of earned income is excluded, plus half of earnings above that. Student grants and scholarships used for tuition, fees, or books do not count. Certain work incentives and plans to achieve self-support (PASS) can shelter income and resources if you are working toward a goal.

In-kind support — when someone else pays for your food or shelter directly instead of giving you cash — reduces your SSI payment by one-third of the federal benefit rate (roughly $314 in 2024) or the actual value of what was provided, whichever is less. This is one of the most confusing rules, so ask your Social Security representative if you are unsure whether a gift or help counts.

How SSI differs from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSI and SSDI are separate programs with different rules. SSI is need-based and pays based on your income and resources, regardless of your work history. SSDI is based on your own or a family member's work record and has no resource limit or income test (though work earnings can affect your payment).

SSDI payments are typically higher than SSI because they are tied to your prior earnings record. An SSDI beneficiary can have unlimited savings and still receive their full benefit. An SSI recipient with more than $2,000 in the bank loses SSI entirely.

Some people receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time. When this happens, the SSDI payment is calculated first, then SSI tops it up to the federal maximum (or state maximum if your state pays more). This is called "concurrent" receipt.

When your payment changes during the year

Your SSI payment can change if your income changes, your living situation changes, or you turn a certain age. If you start working or your wages increase, your payment will drop. If you stop working or your income decreases, your payment will rise. These changes usually take effect the month after Social Security is notified.

If you move in with family or into a group home, your payment may drop because of in-kind support rules. If you move into your own place, it may rise. If you marry or divorce, your payment changes because the household composition changes.

At age 65, your SSI case converts to Social Security retirement benefits, though the payment amount may stay similar if you have been on SSI for a long time. The rules change slightly at that point, but your benefits do not stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SSI maximum include state supplements?

No. The $943 federal maximum is what the federal government pays. Your state may add money on top of that. The total you receive is federal SSI plus any state supplement your state offers. Some states call their supplement "SSP" or "state supplementary payment."

What happens if I inherit money or receive a lump-sum payment?

A lump sum counts as a resource. If it pushes your total resources above $2,000 (or $3,000 for a couple), you lose SSI until your resources drop back below the limit. Some lump sums, like certain tax refunds or disaster assistance, may be excluded for a limited time. Contact Social Security immediately if you receive a large payment.

Can I work and still receive the full SSI maximum?

Only if your earnings are very low. You can earn up to $65 per month and keep your full payment. Above that, your payment drops by 50 cents for every dollar earned. If you earn $200 per month, your SSI payment drops by $67.50. You can still receive SSI as long as your total income (including SSI) does not exceed the maximum.

Do I have to report changes in my income to Social Security?

Yes. You must report changes in earnings, living situation, household members, resources, and other benefits within 10 days. Failure to report can result in overpayment, which Social Security will ask you to repay. Some changes can be reported online through your Social Security account.

What is the resource limit and does it include my home?

The resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Your primary residence does not count, nor does one vehicle, household goods, or certain personal items. Savings accounts, stocks, bonds, second homes, and vehicles beyond one do count. If you are unsure whether something counts, ask Social Security before you acquire it.