SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, which is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration. SSI provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also receive SSI. The program is designed to help people with little or no income meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
SSI benefits are not based on prior work or a family members prior work, unlike Social Security benefits. The maximum Federal SSI benefit amount changes yearly and varies based on income, living arrangements, and other factors. In 2023, the Federal benefit rate is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple. Some states supplement the Federal SSI benefit with additional payments, while others do not.
To be eligible for SSI, an individual or child must have income and resources below specific financial limits. Victims of severe forms of human trafficking or those who have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty may also be eligible for SSI if they have limited income and resources and are aged, blind, or disabled. However, if an individual gives away a resource or sells it for less than it is worth in order to reduce their resources below the SSI resource limit, they may be ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months.
