Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
link to page 1 
Updated April 10, 2024
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Overview
adjusted annually for average wage growth. Adults are
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal assistance
generally found to have disabilities if their impairments
program that provides monthly cash payments to older
prevent them from doing any kind of substantial work that
adults and individuals with qualifying disabilities who have
exists in the national economy, taking into consideration
income and resources (i.e., assets) within prescribed limits.
their age, education, and work experience.
The program is administered by the Social Security
Children under age 18 meet the definition of disability if
Administration (SSA) and intended to provide eligible
they have medically determinable physical or mental
individuals with a guaranteed minimum income for meeting
impairments that result in marked and severe functional
basic needs, such as food and shelter. SSI provides a flat
limitations and that (1) are expected to result in death or (2)
maximum monthly benefit, which is reduced by an
individual’s
have lasted, or are expected to last, for at least 12
countable income. In February 2024, SSI
consecutive months. Children are typically found to have
provided federally administered payments to more than 7.4
disabilities if they have one or more severe impairments
million recipients, including about 1.0 million children
that limit their ability to engage in age-appropriate
under age 18, 4.0 million adults ages 18 to 64, and 2.4
childhood activities at home, in childcare, at school, or in
million people age 65 or older (Figure 1).
the community. In addition, their earnings must generally
Figure 1. SSI Recipients, by Age Group, February
not exceed the SGA limit.
2024
Financial Requirements
To be financially eligible for SSI, a person’s countable
income and resources—gross income and resources minus
applicable exclusions—must be within certain limits
provided in federal law. In general, SSI counts only the
income and resources of the individual. However, SSI may
deem (i.e., attribute) a portion of the income and resources
of an SSI-ineligible spouse or parent who lives in the same
household in determining the individual’s eligibility and
payment amount.
In general, the higher an individual’s countable income, the
lower the individual’s monthly SSI payment. In 2024, the
maximum monthly SSI payment, known as the federal
benefit rate (FBR), is $943 per month for an individual and
Source: SSA, “Monthly Statistical Snapshot,” Table 3.
$1,415 per month for a couple if both members are SSI
Notes: Components may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
eligible. The FBR is adjusted annually for inflation by the
same cost-of-living adjustment applied to Social Security
Eligibility Requirements
benefits. Countable income is subtracted from the FBR,
To qualify for SSI, a person must meet categorical,
dollar for dollar, in determining an individual’s program
financial, and certain other eligibility requirements.
eligibility and monthly payment amount (if any).
SSI counts most types of income, including earned and
Categorical Requirements
unearned income. Earned income includes wages, net
To be categorically eligible for SSI, an individual must be
earnings from self-employment, and other compensation
age 65 or older or blind or have a disability as defined in
related to work. Unearned income is all other income, such
law.
as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, periodic annuity or
An individual of any age is considered blind if he or she has
pension payments, and cash or shelter provided by others.
20/200 or less vision in the better eye with the use of a
Certain income is not counted, such as the first $20 per
correcting lens or tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less.
month of any income and the first $65 per month of earned
income plus one-half of any earned income above $65.
Adults age 18 or older meet the statutory definition of
These exclusions are not adjusted for inflation. SSI also
disability if they are unable to engage in any substantial
excludes federal tax refunds and credits as well as federal
gainful activity (SGA) due to any medically determinable
food and housing assistance.
physical or mental impairment that (1) is expected to result
in death or (2) has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least
The countable resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and
12 consecutive months. SSA generally uses an earnings
$3,000 for a couple. These limits are not adjusted for
limit to determine if a person’s work activity is SGA, which
inflation. Resources are cash or other liquid assets or any
for 2024 is $1,550 per month under SSI. This amount is
real or personal property that a person owns and could
https://crsreports.congress.gov
link to page 2 link to page 2
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
convert to cash to be used for the person’s support and
FY2023 was $64.6 billion, with $60.0 billion for benefits
maintenance. Resources include checking or savings
and $4.6 billion for administrative and other costs.
accounts, stocks, bonds, individual retirement accounts or
401(k) plans that cannot be claimed as periodic payments,
Program Integrity
and certain types of trusts. Certain resources are not
SSA conducts several types of reviews to assess continuing
counted, such as an individual’s primary residence,
eligibility for SSI. Continuing disability reviews (CDRs) are
household goods and personal effects, one vehicle, property
periodic reviews of SSI blindness or disability recipients to
essential to self-support, federal tax refunds and credits for
determine if they continue to meet the medical criteria in
a 12-month period after receipt, and the first $100,000 in an
law. Recipients with impairments that may improve are
Achieving a Better Life Experience account.
scheduled for CDRs at least once every three years, and
those with the most severe impairments are scheduled at
Other Requirements
least once every five to seven years. Child recipients are
To qualify for SSI, a person must reside in the United
reevaluated at age 18 to determine if they meet the adult
States, which the program defines as the 50 states, the
standard of disability. SSA also performs redeterminations
District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
of nonmedical factors (i.e., income, resources, and living
(SSI is not available in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto
arrangements) to verify that recipients are still financially
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.) In addition, a person
eligible and receiving the correct payment amounts.
must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified noncitizen who meets
Redeterminations are conducted on a periodic basis or when
certain other criteria. Individuals who are outside of the
a recipient’s circumstances change.
country (as defined above) for 30 consecutive days or more
are ineligible for SSI. Residents of public institutions (such
Relationship with Social Security
as jails or prisons) are generally ineligible for SSI, except
Though SSA administers both programs, SSI is not part of
for situations involving certain medical facilities. Lastly,
Social Security. SSI is a public assistance program that
individuals must apply for certain other benefits for which
provides monthly payments based on need. In contrast,
they may be eligible (e.g., Social Security, pensions).
Social Security is a social insurance program that provides
benefits based on qualified workers’ career-average
Cash and Medical Benefits
earnings. However, one of SSI’s goals is to supplement the
In February 2024, the average federally administered SSI
income of individuals who have low levels of Social
payment was $697 (Table 1). Benefits are generally lower
Security and other income. In December 2022, 34% of all
for adults age 65 or older because some of them also
SSI recipients also received Social Security, including 57%
receive Social Security, which, after the first $20 per
of those age 65 or older (Figure 2).
month, is countable income. Benefits for children are
typically higher because they often do not have income of
Figure 2. Share of SSI Recipients with Other Income,
their own. Some states use their own funds to supplement
by Type of Income and Age Group, December 2022
the federal SSI payment to provide a higher overall benefit
level than is prescribed in federal law.
Table 1. SSI Payments, by Age Group, February 2024
Average
Total Monthly
Monthly
Payments
Category
Payment
(in Millions)
All Ages
$697
$5,414
Under Age 18
$808
$856
Ages 18-64
$743
$3,165
Age 65+
$575
$1,393
Source: SSA, “Monthly Statistical Snapshot,” Table 3.
Most states confer Medicaid eligibility to all SSI recipients.
Source: SSA, Annual Statistical Supplement, 2023, Table 7.D1.
Thirty-four states and D.C. enroll SSI recipients in
Notes: Recipients may have more than one type of income.
Medicaid automatically, while eight states require SSI
recipients to file separate applications before enrolling them
For more information on SSI, see CRS Report R44948,
in Medicaid. The remaining eight states confer Medicaid
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and
eligibility to SSI recipients only if they meet more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Eligibility, Benefits,
restrictive eligibility criteria than SSI criteria.
and Financing.
Financing
Emma K. Tatem, Analyst in Social Policy
Federal SSI benefits and administrative costs are financed
William R. Morton, Analyst in Income Security
by annual appropriations from general revenues. SSI
benefits are mandatory spending, while administrative costs
IF10482
are discretionary spending. Total federal spending on SSI in
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10482 · VERSION 13 · UPDATED
Updated April 10, 2024
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Overview
adjusted annually for average wage growth. Adults are
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal assistance
generally found to have disabilities if their impairments
program that provides monthly cash payments to older
prevent them from doing any kind of substantial work that
adults and individuals with qualifying disabilities who have
exists in the national economy, taking into consideration
income and resources (i.e., assets) within prescribed limits.
their age, education, and work experience.
The program is administered by the Social Security
Children under age 18 meet the definition of disability if
Administration (SSA) and intended to provide eligible
they have medically determinable physical or mental
individuals with a guaranteed minimum income for meeting
impairments that result in marked and severe functional
basic needs, such as food and shelter. SSI provides a flat
limitations and that (1) are expected to result in death or (2)
maximum monthly benefit, which is reduced by an
individual’s
have lasted, or are expected to last, for at least 12
countable income. In February 2024, SSI
consecutive months. Children are typically found to have
provided federally administered payments to more than 7.4
disabilities if they have one or more severe impairments
million recipients, including about 1.0 million children
that limit their ability to engage in age-appropriate
under age 18, 4.0 million adults ages 18 to 64, and 2.4
childhood activities at home, in childcare, at school, or in
million people age 65 or older (Figure 1).
the community. In addition, their earnings must generally
Figure 1. SSI Recipients, by Age Group, February
not exceed the SGA limit.
2024
Financial Requirements
To be financially eligible for SSI, a person’s countable
income and resources—gross income and resources minus
applicable exclusions—must be within certain limits
provided in federal law. In general, SSI counts only the
income and resources of the individual. However, SSI may
deem (i.e., attribute) a portion of the income and resources
of an SSI-ineligible spouse or parent who lives in the same
household in determining the individual’s eligibility and
payment amount.
In general, the higher an individual’s countable income, the
lower the individual’s monthly SSI payment. In 2024, the
maximum monthly SSI payment, known as the federal
benefit rate (FBR), is $943 per month for an individual and
Source: SSA, “Monthly Statistical Snapshot,” Table 3.
$1,415 per month for a couple if both members are SSI
Notes: Components may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
eligible. The FBR is adjusted annually for inflation by the
same cost-of-living adjustment applied to Social Security
Eligibility Requirements
benefits. Countable income is subtracted from the FBR,
To qualify for SSI, a person must meet categorical,
dollar for dollar, in determining an individual’s program
financial, and certain other eligibility requirements.
eligibility and monthly payment amount (if any).
SSI counts most types of income, including earned and
Categorical Requirements
unearned income. Earned income includes wages, net
To be categorically eligible for SSI, an individual must be
earnings from self-employment, and other compensation
age 65 or older or blind or have a disability as defined in
related to work. Unearned income is all other income, such
law.
as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, periodic annuity or
An individual of any age is considered blind if he or she has
pension payments, and cash or shelter provided by others.
20/200 or less vision in the better eye with the use of a
Certain income is not counted, such as the first $20 per
correcting lens or tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less.
month of any income and the first $65 per month of earned
income plus one-half of any earned income above $65.
Adults age 18 or older meet the statutory definition of
These exclusions are not adjusted for inflation. SSI also
disability if they are unable to engage in any substantial
excludes federal tax refunds and credits as well as federal
gainful activity (SGA) due to any medically determinable
food and housing assistance.
physical or mental impairment that (1) is expected to result
in death or (2) has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least
The countable resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and
12 consecutive months. SSA generally uses an earnings
$3,000 for a couple. These limits are not adjusted for
limit to determine if a person’s work activity is SGA, which
inflation. Resources are cash or other liquid assets or any
for 2024 is $1,550 per month under SSI. This amount is
real or personal property that a person owns and could
https://crsreports.congress.gov
link to page 2 link to page 2
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
convert to cash to be used for the person’s support and
FY2023 was $64.6 billion, with $60.0 billion for benefits
maintenance. Resources include checking or savings
and $4.6 billion for administrative and other costs.
accounts, stocks, bonds, individual retirement accounts or
401(k) plans that cannot be claimed as periodic payments,
Program Integrity
and certain types of trusts. Certain resources are not
SSA conducts several types of reviews to assess continuing
counted, such as an individual’s primary residence,
eligibility for SSI. Continuing disability reviews (CDRs) are
household goods and personal effects, one vehicle, property
periodic reviews of SSI blindness or disability recipients to
essential to self-support, federal tax refunds and credits for
determine if they continue to meet the medical criteria in
a 12-month period after receipt, and the first $100,000 in an
law. Recipients with impairments that may improve are
Achieving a Better Life Experience account.
scheduled for CDRs at least once every three years, and
those with the most severe impairments are scheduled at
Other Requirements
least once every five to seven years. Child recipients are
To qualify for SSI, a person must reside in the United
reevaluated at age 18 to determine if they meet the adult
States, which the program defines as the 50 states, the
standard of disability. SSA also performs redeterminations
District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
of nonmedical factors (i.e., income, resources, and living
(SSI is not available in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto
arrangements) to verify that recipients are still financially
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.) In addition, a person
eligible and receiving the correct payment amounts.
must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified noncitizen who meets
Redeterminations are conducted on a periodic basis or when
certain other criteria. Individuals who are outside of the
a recipient’s circumstances change.
country (as defined above) for 30 consecutive days or more
are ineligible for SSI. Residents of public institutions (such
Relationship with Social Security
as jails or prisons) are generally ineligible for SSI, except
Though SSA administers both programs, SSI is not part of
for situations involving certain medical facilities. Lastly,
Social Security. SSI is a public assistance program that
individuals must apply for certain other benefits for which
provides monthly payments based on need. In contrast,
they may be eligible (e.g., Social Security, pensions).
Social Security is a social insurance program that provides
benefits based on qualified workers’ career-average
Cash and Medical Benefits
earnings. However, one of SSI’s goals is to supplement the
In February 2024, the average federally administered SSI
income of individuals who have low levels of Social
payment was $697 (Table 1). Benefits are generally lower
Security and other income. In December 2022, 34% of all
for adults age 65 or older because some of them also
SSI recipients also received Social Security, including 57%
receive Social Security, which, after the first $20 per
of those age 65 or older (Figure 2).
month, is countable income. Benefits for children are
typically higher because they often do not have income of
Figure 2. Share of SSI Recipients with Other Income,
their own. Some states use their own funds to supplement
by Type of Income and Age Group, December 2022
the federal SSI payment to provide a higher overall benefit
level than is prescribed in federal law.
Table 1. SSI Payments, by Age Group, February 2024
Average
Total Monthly
Monthly
Payments
Category
Payment
(in Millions)
All Ages
$697
$5,414
Under Age 18
$808
$856
Ages 18-64
$743
$3,165
Age 65+
$575
$1,393
Source: SSA, “Monthly Statistical Snapshot,” Table 3.
Most states confer Medicaid eligibility to all SSI recipients.
Source: SSA, Annual Statistical Supplement, 2023, Table 7.D1.
Thirty-four states and D.C. enroll SSI recipients in
Notes: Recipients may have more than one type of income.
Medicaid automatically, while eight states require SSI
recipients to file separate applications before enrolling them
For more information on SSI, see CRS Report R44948,
in Medicaid. The remaining eight states confer Medicaid
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and
eligibility to SSI recipients only if they meet more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Eligibility, Benefits,
restrictive eligibility criteria than SSI criteria.
and Financing.
Financing
Emma K. Tatem, Analyst in Social Policy
Federal SSI benefits and administrative costs are financed
William R. Morton, Analyst in Income Security
by annual appropriations from general revenues. SSI
benefits are mandatory spending, while administrative costs
IF10482
are discretionary spending. Total federal spending on SSI in
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10482 · VERSION 13 · UPDATED