What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal needs-based program that provides monthly cash payments to people who are aged (65+), blind, or disabled and have very limited income and financial resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not based on your work history. It is funded through general tax revenues, not Social Security payroll taxes.

This makes SSI accessible to people who have never worked, have limited work history, or haven't earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.

Who Is Eligible for SSI?

To qualify for SSI, you must meet all three of the following criteria:

  • Age or disability: You must be 65 or older, blind, or have a disability that meets the SSA's definition.
  • Limited income: Your monthly income must fall below SSA thresholds. Not all income counts — the SSA excludes the first $20 of most income and the first $65 of earned income each month.
  • Limited resources: Your countable resources must be under $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples. Some assets are excluded — your primary home and one vehicle do not count against these limits.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen, and a resident of one of the 50 states, Washington D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands.

How Much Does SSI Pay?

The SSA sets a Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) that serves as the maximum monthly SSI payment. This rate is adjusted annually for inflation. Your actual payment may be lower if you have countable income, or higher if your state supplements the federal amount.

Many states add their own state supplemental payments on top of the federal SSI amount. If you receive state supplements, the SSA may pay the combined amount in one check, or your state may pay separately.

SSI vs. SSDI: Key Differences

Feature SSI SSDI
Based on work history? No Yes
Income/resource limits? Yes (strict) No resource limits
Funding source General tax revenue Social Security payroll taxes
Health coverage Medicaid (usually automatic) Medicare (after 24-month wait)
Who can apply? Disabled, blind, or aged 65+ Workers with disabilities under retirement age

Can You Receive Both SSI and SSDI?

Yes — this is called receiving concurrent benefits. If your SSDI payment is low (because your work history earnings were modest), you may also qualify for SSI to bring your total income up to the federal benefit level. The SSA will calculate your combined amount automatically if you apply for both.

How Does SSI Affect Medicaid?

In most states, being approved for SSI automatically qualifies you for Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program. This is a critical benefit because SSI recipients typically don't qualify for Medicare (which requires SSDI for disability recipients). Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and in many states, long-term care services.

Reporting Requirements for SSI Recipients

Because SSI is needs-based, you must report changes to your income, resources, living situation, and household composition to the SSA. Failure to report changes can result in overpayments that you'll be required to pay back. Key things to report include:

  • Starting or stopping work
  • Changes in income or assets
  • Moving to a new address
  • Changes in household members
  • Entering or leaving an institution (hospital, nursing home)