A
Understanding
Supplemental Security
Income – 2024 Edition
2024
SSA.gov
You may also access this publication in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/pubs/ES-17-008-SP.pdf titled
Comprendiendo el programa de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario.
También puede acceder la versión de esta publicación en español titulada Comprendiendo el
programa de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario en __ www.ssa.gov/pubs/ES-17-008-SP.pdf.
i
Printed 2024
UNDERSTANDING SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI
INTRODUCTION 1
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 2
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI OVERVIEW 4
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI GENERAL INFORMATION 5
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 6
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI BENEFITS 12
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI RESOURCES 13
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI INCOME 16
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS 20
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI FOR CHILDREN 23
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI APPLICATION PROCESS AND APPLICANTS’ RIGHTS 27
HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI 29
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED WHEN YOU APPLY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI 31
IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY OR ARE BLIND 34
CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS 40
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI WORK INCENTIVES 41
REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES 48
SOCIAL SECURITY NOTICES AND LETTERS 50
REDETERMINATIONS 52
OVERPAYMENTS 54
APPEALS PROCESS 56
EXPEDITED PAYMENTS 61
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM 64
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI AND ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT AND STATE
PROGRAMS 66
SOCIAL SECURITY ENTITLEMENT REQUIREMENTS 68
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SSI SPOTLIGHTS
SPOTLIGHT ON RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 71
SPOTLIGHT ON LIVING ARRANGEMENTS 73
SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES 74
SPOTLIGHT ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ACCOUNTS 75
SPOTLIGHT ON BURIAL FUNDS 76
SPOTLIGHT ON LOANS 77
SPOTLIGHT ON ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE ACCOUNTS ABLE 78
SPOTLIGHT ON TRUSTS 84
SPOTLIGHT ON DEDICATED ACCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN 86
SPOTLIGHT ON DEEMING PARENTAL INCOME AND RESOURCES 88
SPOTLIGHT ON REPORTING YOUR EARNINGS TO SOCIAL SECURITY 89
SPOTLIGHT ON ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS 91
SPOTLIGHT ON IMPAIRMENTRELATED WORK EXPENSES 93
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL SSI RULE FOR BLIND PEOPLE WHO WORK 94
SPOTLIGHT ON INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS 95
SPOTLIGHT ON PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELFSUPPORT 96
SPOTLIGHT ON PROPERTY ESSENTIAL TO SELFSUPPORT 97
SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSFERS OF RESOURCES 98
SPOTLIGHT ON THE STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION 99
SPOTLIGHT ON PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL TO MEDICAL EXAMS OR TESTS 100
SPOTLIGHT ON GETTING SSI BENEFITS WHILE YOU TRY TO SELL EXCESS RESOURCES 101
SPOTLIGHT ON CONTINUED SSI BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE TEMPORARILY INSTITUTIONALIZED 102
SPOTLIGHT ON THE PRERELEASE PROCEDURE 103
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL SSI RULES FOR CHILDREN OF MILITARY PERSONNEL LIVING OVERSEAS 104
SPOTLIGHT ON SSI BENEFITS FOR YOUTH WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE DISABILITIES IN FOSTER CARE 105
SPOTLIGHT ON SSI BENEFITS FOR NONCITIZENS 106
SPOTLIGHT ON CONTINUED MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK: SECTION 1619b 109
SPOTLIGHT ON INTERPRETER SERVICES 110
SPOTLIGHT ON INCOME FROM THE ARTS 112
SPOTLIGHT ON HOMELESSNESS 115
SPOTLIGHT ON WINDFALL OFFSET 116
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ONETHIRD REDUCTION PROVISION 117
INTRODUCTION
We created
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) to inform recipients, potential
recipients, advocates, and other interested agencies and organizations about SSI eligibility
requirements and processes.
We hope this information will help you understand the eligibility requirements and the application
process. It may also enable recipients to continue receiving SSI for as long as they remain eligible.
Understanding SSI
is general information and a reference tool. It is not necessary for you to know
everything in
Understanding SSI
. You may simply refer to those sections that are most useful to you.
Please visit our website at www.ssa.gov if you have any questions while using
Understanding SSI
.
You may also contact your local Social Security oce or call our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213.
We can answer most of your questions on the phone. Our website www.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp can
help you nd your local eld oce.
You should refer any potentially eligible individuals to us to apply for SSI or to get an answer to any
question they may have. If you have any doubts about a person’s eligibility, always refer them to us
immediately to avoid a possible loss in benets.
Understanding SSI
is not a complete review of all SSI-related rules and policies. It only provides
general information and references. It does not replace the information available to you by
contacting your local Social Security oce or our toll-free number. You must contact us for
individual case information.
Go to www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm to view this
Understanding SSI
publication.
You may also access this publication in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/pubs/ES-17-008-SP.pdf titled
Comprendiendo el programa de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario
.
1
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICES
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a national network of approximately 1,230 local eld
oces and 164 local hearing oces. In addition, we have 10 regional oces, 5 National Hearing
Centers, 8 centralized processing centers, 5 National Case Assistance Centers, the Appeals Council,
and 24 teleservice centers that you can reach by calling our national toll-free number, below. Our
national headquarters is near Baltimore, Maryland.
We administer the Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Special
Veterans Benets (SVB) programs. We will answer questions about those programs on the
telephone. Informational booklets can be obtained at www.ssa.gov or upon request. Go to
https://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/aboutpoms to access the Social Security policy manual, called the
Program Operations Manual System (POMS).
CONTACTING SOCIAL SECURITY
We are available to assist you by telephone, mail, or at www.ssa.gov/agency/contact through the internet.
You can call our National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter early in the day
(between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
local time). We are also less busy later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the
month. We also oer many automated telephone services, available 24 hours a day, so you do not
need to speak with a representative.
Spanish-speaking representatives are available to speak with callers who prefer to do business with
us in Spanish. In addition, if you contact the local SSA eld oce (FO) or call the 1-800 number, you
may request an interpreter to help you communicate with us, which we will provide at no cost.
We have telephone interpreter services in more than 120 languages and dialects. Interpreters are
available immediately, with no appointment necessary.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, we will take your telecommunications relay services (TRS) assisted
calls at 1-800-772-1213. If you prefer, you may call Social Security’s toll-free TTY-TDD number at
1-800-325-0778 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you need assistance that is not available via our online services, the fastest way to obtain service
is to contact us by telephone through the toll-free number. Our representatives can answer most
questions. If an additional interview is necessary, we can make an appointment for you with a local
FO at a time convenient for you.
We can schedule most interviews by telephone at a local Social Security oce. If you do not want to
wait for a scheduled appointment, you may visit any Social Security oce and we will serve you as
quickly as possible.
When you call or visit us, note the name of any representative you speak with and the date of contact.
Put your name and Social Security Number on written correspondence with us and keep a copy for
your records.
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SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE
Social Security’s website at www.ssa.gov provides links to our publications, information on Social
Security, the benets we administer, our online claims process and other services. Information on
benets is available in many languages at www.ssa.gov/multilanguage through the internet. We
provide public information materials in many languages.
FIND A SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
You can get information online by providing your zip code at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
if you need to nd the closest Social Security oce. The information will include a map showing
directions to the oce and the business hours.
YOU CAN APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND SSI ONLINE
You can apply for Social Security retirement, spouse’s, disability, or Medicare benets at
www.ssa.gov/applyforbenets using our internet application. You can now le for SSI online if you
are also applying for Social Security disability benets if you meet all of the following:
• You are between the ages of 18 and 65.
• You have never been married.
• You are alleging a disability.
• You are a U.S. citizen residing in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern
Mariana Islands.
• You have not applied for or received SSI in the past.
If you do not meet all of these online ling requirements, you will need to contact us by phone to
apply for SSI.
Once you nish the online process, a Social Security representative will contact you for any additional
information needed for the application(s).
The Adult Disability Report is available online as part of the disability application. Go to
www.ssa.gov/childdisabilityreport to access The Child Disability Report.
See www.ssa.gov/onlineservices for the most recent information about what you can do online.
PROOF OF YOUR MONTHLY SSI PAYMENT
If you receive SSI, and you need a letter to verify your monthly benet amount, you can
get a benet verication letter online instantly through a my Social Security account. Go
to www.ssa.gov/myaccount to learn more and set up a my Social Security account. With
my Social Security, those who receive benets can easily view, print, or save an ocial letter
that includes:
• Benet amount and type.
• Medicare start date and withholding amount.
• Age of beneciary.
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI OVERVIEW
WHAT IS SSI?
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay
monthly benets 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 get SSI.
HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benets. In fact, the
application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benets. However, SSI and Social Security
are dierent in many ways.
• Social Security benets may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are
“insured,” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security
benets, SSI is not based on your prior work or a family member’s prior work.
• SSI is nanced by general funds of the U.S. Treasury — personal income taxes, corporate taxes,
and other taxes. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act
(FICA) or the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do not fund the SSI program.
• In most States, SSI recipients can also get medical assistance (Medicaid) to pay for hospital stays,
doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs.
• Many States also provide a supplemental payment to certain SSI recipients.
• SSI recipients may also be eligible for food assistance. In some States, an application for SSI also
serves as an application for food assistance.
• SSI is paid on the rst of the month.
• To get SSI, you must be at least 65 years old, blind, or have a disability, and have “limited” income
and resources.
• In addition, to get SSI, you must also:
- Be either a U.S. citizen or national, or a noncitizen in one of the certain alien classications
granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- Reside in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Not be absent from the U.S. for a full calendar month or 30 or more consecutive days.
HOW IS SSI LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
• Both programs pay monthly benets.
• The medical standards for disability are generally the same in both programs for individuals age
18 or older. For children from birth to the attainment of age 18 there is a separate denition of
disability under SSI. The medical standard is based on the severity of your disability. Financial
need is not considered at this step in the eligibility process.
• SSA administers both programs.
NOTE: For more information on Social Security benets, see page 68.
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI GENERAL INFORMATION
SSI MONTHLY FEDERAL BENEFIT RATES FBRS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
See the chart below to determine the maximum monthly SSI payment you can get in the following
living arrangements if both of the following are true:
• Your State does not add to the SSI monthly FBR.
• You have no countable income.
See SSI Income on page 16 for more information on countable income.
Depending on what State you live in, you may receive a supplemental payment. Some States
contribute to the total amount payable to SSI recipients. This amount varies from State to State. See
SSI Benets on page 12 for more information on the State supplement. The chart below refers to
the amount you get from the Federal government only, provided you or your spouse do not receive
any other countable income.
Live alone or pay your share of
food and housing costs:
January 2024
• Individual/Child $ 943.00
• Couple $ 1,415.00
Live in the household of another: January 2024
• Individual/Child $ 628.67
• Couple $ 943.34
Live in a Medicaid Institution: January 2024
• For each Individual/Child $ 30
NOTE: Amounts given are general guidelines only. For more information about living arrangements,
see pages 20 and 73.
SSI RESOURCE LIMITS – You can get SSI in all States if we count the things that you own and they are
worth less than the following:
January 2024
• Individual/Child $2,000
• Couple $3,000
NOTE: We do not count all of the things you own as a resource. For more information about
resources, see pages 18 and 81.
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
Anyone who:
• Is age 65 or older;
• Is blind; or
• Has a qualifying disability.
And who:
• Has limited income.
• Has limited resources.
• Is a U.S. citizen or national, or a noncitizen in one of certain alien classications granted by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (NOTE: In general, an alien who is subject to an active
warrant for deportation or removal does not meet the noncitizen requirement.)
• Is a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
• Is not absent from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands for a full
calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more.
• Is not conned to an institution (such as a hospital or prison) at the government’s expense.
• Applies for any other cash benets or payments for which they may be eligible (for example,
pensions or Social Security benets).
• Gives SSA permission to contact any nancial institution and request any nancial records
about them.
• Files an application.
• Meets certain other requirements.
WHAT DOES “AGED” MEAN?
“Aged” means age 65 or older.
WHAT IS “BLINDNESS”?
Blindness in our disability programs means:
• You have a central visual acuity for distance of 20/200 or less in your better eye with use of a
correcting lens; or
• You have a visual eld limitation in your better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual
eld subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.
If you have a visual impairment, but are not blind according to our rules as dened above, you may
still be eligible for SSI on the basis of disability. See the denitions of disability for children and
adults below.
6
WHAT DOES HAVING A “DISABILITY” MEAN FOR A CHILD?
If you are under age 18, we may consider you “a child with a disability” if you have a medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that:
• Results in marked and severe functional limitations; and
• Can be expected to result in death; or
• Has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
If you are age 18 or older, the adult denition of disability explained below applies.
See SSI for Children on page 23 and page 40 for more information on the childhood
disability evaluation.
WHAT DOES HAVING A “DISABILITY” MEAN FOR AN ADULT?
If you are age 18 or older, we may consider you a person with a “disability” if you have a medically
determinable physical or mental impairment which:
• Results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity (see denition of substantial gainful
activity on page 35); and
• Can be expected to result in death; or
• Has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
SSA is committed to providing benets quickly to claimants whose medical conditions are so serious
that their conditions clearly meet disability standards.
Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions
that, by denition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benets. These conditions primarily
include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that aect children. The
CAL initiative helps reduce the wait time to reach a disability determination for individuals with the
most serious disabilities. By incorporating cutting-edge technology, the agency can easily identify
potential CAL to quickly make decisions. SSA receives information from the public, advocacy groups,
comments received from the Social Security and Disability Determination Services communities,
counsel from medical and scientic experts, research with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and
information received from past public outreach hearings regarding potential CAL conditions. Go to
www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/ for more information on CAL.
WHAT DOES “LIMITED INCOME” INCLUDE?
Income, for the purposes of SSI, includes:
• Money you earn from work;
• Money you receive from other sources, such as Social Security benets, workers compensation,
unemployment benets, the Department of Veterans Aairs, friends or relatives; and
• Free food or shelter.
NOTE: We do not count all income for SSI, but income that we do count reduces your SSI benet
amount. For more information about SSI income, see page 16.
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WHAT ARE “LIMITED RESOURCES”?
Resources, for the purposes of SSI, are things you own such as:
• Cash;
• Bank accounts;
• Stocks, mutual funds, and U.S. savings bonds;
• Land;
• Vehicles;
• Personal property;
• Life insurance; and
• Anything else you own that could be converted to cash and used for food or shelter.
NOTE: We do not count the value of all of your resources for SSI. See SSI Resources on page 13.
The SSI limits for resources that we do count are:
Individual/Child $2,000
Couple $3,000
CITIZEN AND NONCITIZEN STATUS
To receive SSI, you must be one of the following:
• A citizen or national of the U.S.
• A noncitizen who is a qualied alien or in one of certain alien classications granted by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
WHEN IS A NONCITIZEN ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
Beginning August 22, 1996, most noncitizens must meet two requirements to be eligible for SSI
they must:
1. Be in a “qualied alien” category.
2. Meet a condition that allows qualied aliens to get SSI.
A noncitizen must also meet all of the other requirements for SSI eligibility, including the limits on
income, resources, etc.
WHO IS A “QUALIFIED ALIEN”?
There are seven categories of noncitizens who are qualied aliens. You are a “qualied alien” if the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says you are in one of these categories:
1. Lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LAPR) in the U.S., including “Amerasian immigrant”
as dened in P.L. 100-202, with a class of admission AM-1 through AM-8.
2. Granted conditional entry under section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as
in eect before April 1, 1980.
3. Paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of the INA for a period of at least one year.
4. Refugee admitted to the U.S. under section 207 of the INA.
5. Granted asylum under section 208 of the INA.
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6. Deportation is being withheld under section 243(h) of the INA as in eect before April 1, 1997, or
removal is being withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA.
7. A “Cuban or Haitian entrant” under section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of
1980 or in a status that is to be treated as a “Cuban or Haitian entrant” for SSI purposes.
In addition, you can be a “deemed qualied alien” if, under certain circumstances, you, your child,
or your parent has been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by a family member while in the
United States.
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS IS A “QUALIFIED ALIEN” ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
If you are in one of the seven “qualied alien” categories listed above or have been determined to
be a “deemed qualied alien” because you have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty, you
may be eligible for SSI if you have limited income and resources and are 65 or older, blind, or have a
qualifying disability and also meet one of the following conditions:
1. You were receiving SSI and lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996.
2. You are a Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence (LAPR) with 40 qualifying quarters of
earnings. Work done by your spouse or parent(s) may also count toward the 40 quarters of
earnings, but only for getting SSI.
We cannot count quarters of earnings earned after December 31, 1996, if you, your spouse, or
your parent(s) worked or received certain benets from the U.S. government based on limited
income and resources during that period.
IMPORTANT: If you entered the U.S. on or after August 22 1996, then you may not be eligible for
SSI for the rst 5 years as a LAPR, even if you have 40 qualifying quarters of earnings.
3. You are currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or you are an honorably discharged
veteran and your discharge is not because you are a noncitizen. This condition may also apply if
you are the spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent child of certain U.S. military personnel.
4. You were lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996, and you are blind have a qualifying
disability.
5. You may receive SSI for a maximum of 7 years from the date DHS granted you qualied alien status
in one of the following categories, and the status was granted within 7 years of ling for SSI:
• Refugee admitted to the U.S. under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Asylee admitted to the U.S. under section 208 of the INA.
• Noncitizen whose deportation was withheld under section 243(h) of the INA or whose
removal is withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA.
• Admitted as a “Cuban or Haitian entrant” as dened under section 501(e) of the Refugee
Education Assistance Act of 1980 or in a status that is to be treated as a “Cuban or Haitian
entrant” for SSI purposes.
• “Amerasian immigrant” pursuant to P.L. 100-202, with a class of admission of AM-1 through AM-8.
EXEMPTION FROM THE AUGUST 22, 1996 LAW FOR CERTAIN NONCITIZEN INDIANS
Certain categories of noncitizens may be eligible for SSI and are not subject to the August 22, 1996
law. These categories include:
• American Indians born in Canada who were admitted to the U.S. under Section 289 of the INA.
• Noncitizen members of a Federally recognized Indian tribe who fall under Section 4(e) of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
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ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE NONCITIZEN CATEGORIES
Victims of Severe Forms of Human Tracking: You may be eligible for SSI under certain
circumstances if the Department of Health and Human Services’ Oce of Refugee Resettlement and
the Department of Homeland Security determine that you meet the requirements of the Tracking
Victims Protection Act of 2000.
Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants: If you are an Iraqi or Afghan national who was admitted
to the U.S. as a special immigrant, you may qualify for seven years of SSI benets if you served as a
translator or intrepreter for the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan or if you worked for the U.S.
government in Iraq.
Afghan humanitarian parolee or Afghan Non-Special Immigrant Parolee: You may qualify
for SSI if you are an Afghan humanitarian parolee or Afghan non-special immigrant parolee. On
September 30, 2021, Congress passed the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act 2022 (Public
Law 117-43) and Section 2502 of this legislation provides that Afghan humanitarian parolees, known
as Non-Special Immigrant Parolees, may qualify for SSI until March 31, 2023, or until the end of their
parole period, whichever is later.
Ukrainian humanitarian parolee: You may qualy for SSI if you are a Ukraine humanitarian
parolee and were paroled between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 (or paroled after
September 30, 2023 if you are the spouse or child of such an individual), you may qualify for SSI until
the end of your parole period.
NOTE: See the Spotlight on SSI Benets for Noncitizens, page 106.
WHAT IS RESIDENCY?
You must:
• Live in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands, with the
intent to continue living within these geographic limits; or
• Be a child living with a parent in the military service assigned to permanent duty ashore
anywhere outside of the U.S. NOTE: See the “SSI Spotlight on Special SSI Rules for Children of
Military Personnel Living Overseas”, page 104; or
• Be a student temporarily abroad for the purpose of conducting studies as part of an
educational program.
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
Some examples of who is not eligible for SSI include, but are not limited to:
SOMEONE WHO HAS AN UNSATISFIED FELONY OR ARREST WARRANT
You are ineligible to receive SSI for any month during which you have an unsatised felony or arrest
warrant for:
• Escape from custody;
• Flight to avoid prosecution or connement; or
• Flight-escape.
In addition, we cannot pay you any retroactive payments if you have one of these unsatised felony
or arrest warrants. We will hold your retroactive payments until you contact SSA and provide proof
that you satised the felony or arrest warrant.
10
SOMEONE WHO IS IN PRISON OR JAIL
If you are receiving SSI and you go to prison or jail (this also includes correctional institutions, such
as detention centers, halfway houses, boot camps, etc., but does not necessarily include home
connement) you are not eligible to receive SSI for any full calendar month you are incarcerated. In
addition, we cannot pay any retroactive payments for benets due before you were incarcerated.
We will hold the retroactive payments until you contact SSA and provide proof that you are no
longer a prisoner.
Please see our pamphlet,
What Prisoners Need to Know
, or view it online at
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10133.pdf if you want more information about how being in jail or prison
aects your SSI benets.
In most instances, you can apply for SSI and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
benets several months before you expect to be released from prison or jail. See the Spotlight on the
Prerelease Procedure, page 103.
SOMEONE WHO IS IN A PUBLIC INSTITUTION
If you are in any institution for a whole month that is run by a Federal, State, or local government,
you are not eligible for SSI for that month unless an exception applies such as residence in a public
emergency shelter for the homeless or publicly operated community residence. If you expect to leave
the institution, you may use the prerelease procedure described in the Spotlight on page 103.
SOMEONE WHO GIVES AWAY RESOURCES
If you give away a resource or sell it for less than it is worth in order to reduce your resources below
the SSI resource limit, you may be ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months.
NOTE: See SSI Resources on page 13 and the SSI Spotlight on Transfers of Resources, page 98.
SOMEONE WHO IS A NONCITIZEN SSI RECIPIENT WHO FAILS TO MEET THE NONCITIZEN
STATUS REQUIREMENTS
If you are receiving SSI as a noncitizen and you lose your status as an eligible noncitizen, you are not
eligible to receive SSI. For example, your SSI will stop if you lose your status as a “qualied alien” (see
page 6) because there is an active warrant for your deportation or removal from the U.S.
If you are a noncitizen, but no longer meet the requirements that allow SSI eligibility for noncitizens
(see page 6), then your SSI will stop.
SOMEONE WHO IS AN SSI RECIPIENT WHO IS ABSENT FROM THE U.S. FOR A FULL
CALENDAR MONTH OR FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OR MORE
Except for certain students temporarily abroad for study purposes or a child of military parents
stationed overseas, an individual is not eligible for SSI benets for any month during all of which they
have been outside the U.S. Once an individual has been outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or
longer, they must be back in the U.S. for 30 consecutive days to be eligible for SSI.
11
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI BENEFITS
Generally, the maximum Federal SSI benet amount changes yearly. SSI benets increased in 2024
because there was an increase in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2022 to the third
quarter of 2023. Eective January 1, 2024, the Federal benet rate is $943 for an individual and $1,415
for a couple.
Some States supplement the Federal SSI benet with additional payments. This makes the total SSI
benet levels higher in those States. SSI benet amounts and State supplemental payment amounts
vary based upon your income, living arrangements, and other factors.
The following States or territories do not pay a supplement to people who receive SSI:
Arizona North Dakota West Virginia
Arkansas Northern Mariana Islands
Mississippi Tennessee
Social Security administers the State supplement for the following States and the District of Columbia.
You may contact us about your total benet amount.
California Iowa* New Jersey
Delaware* Michigan* Pennsylvania*
District of Columbia* Montana Rhode Island*
Hawaii Nevada Vermont
*Dual administration State. In these States, Social Security administers some categories of State supplement
payments, while the State administers other categories of supplemental payments.
The following States pay and administer their own supplemental payments and you may contact the
State for payment information.
Alabama Louisiana Ohio
Alaska Maine Oklahoma
Colorado Maryland Oregon
Connecticut Massachusetts South Carolina
Florida Minnesota South Dakota
Georgia Missouri Texas
Idaho Nebraska Utah
Illinois New Hampshire Virginia
Indiana New Mexico Washington
Kansas New York Wisconsin
Kentucky North Carolina Wyoming
NOTE: See page 23 for more information on States that supplement Federal SSI benets
to children.
See the publication titled, “SSI Recipient by State and County, 2022” on our website at
www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_sc/ for more information.
12
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI RESOURCES
WHAT ARE RESOURCES?
Resources are things you own such as:
• Cash;
• Bank accounts;
• Stocks, mutual funds, and U.S. savings bonds;
• Land;
• Life insurance;
• Personal property;
• Vehicles;
• Anything else you own that could be changed to cash and used for food or shelter; and
• Deemed resources.
WHAT ARE DEEMED RESOURCES?
Sometimes we “deem” a portion of the resources of a spouse, parent, parent’s spouse, sponsor of a
noncitizen, or sponsor’s spouse as belonging to the person who applies for SSI. We call this process
the deeming of resources. If a child under age 18 lives with one parent, $2,000 of the parent’s total
countable resources does not count. If the child lives with 2 parents, $3,000 does not count. We count
amounts over the parents’ limits as part of the child’s $2,000 resource limit.
WHY ARE RESOURCES IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM?
The value of your resources is one of the factors that determines whether you are eligible for SSI.
However, not all resources count for SSI. If the value of your resources that we count is over the
allowable limit at the beginning of the month, you cannot receive SSI for that month. If you decide
to sell the excess resources for what they are worth, you may receive SSI beginning the month after
you sell the excess resources.You may even be able toreceive benets while you try to sell the excess
resources in certain situations. See SSI Spotlight on Getting SSI Benets While You Try to Sell Excess
Resources, page 101.
WHAT IS THE RESOURCE LIMIT?
The limit for countable resources is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
WHAT RESOURCES DO NOT COUNT FOR SSI?
For SSI, we do not count:
• The home you live in and the land it is on.
• Household goods and personal eects (e.g., your wedding and engagement rings).
• Life insurance policies with a combined face value of $1,500 or less.
• One vehicle, regardless of value, if you or a member of your household use it for transportation.
• Burial spaces for you or your immediate family.
13
• Burial funds for you and your spouse, each valued at $1,500 or less (see the Spotlight on Burial
Funds, page 76).
• Property you or your spouse use in a trade or business, or on your job if you work for someone
else (see the Spotlight on Property Essential to Self Support, page 97).
• If you are blind or have a qualifying disability, any money or property you have set aside under a
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) (see the Spotlight on PASS, page 96).
• Up to $100,000 of funds in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account established
through a State ABLE program (see the Spotlight on ABLE Accounts, page 78).
WHAT ARE INSTALLMENTS?
When an individual is eligible for past-due SSI payments, Social Security must rst reimburse the State
if you received any monetary Interim Assistance while you were waiting for your SSI decision. If the
remaining past-due benets are large, we must pay them in installments. The installment payments
are made in no more than three payments, at six-month intervals.
There is an exception that allows the amount of the rst and second payment to be increased
because of certain debts.
There are also two exceptions that would permit payment of all unpaid benets due an individual to
be paid in one lump sum:
• If you have a medical condition that is expected to result in your death within 12 months.
• You become ineligible for SSI and you are likely to remain ineligible for 12 months.
WHAT OTHER RESOURCES DO NOT COUNT FOR SSI?
• Retroactive SSI or Social Security benets for up to nine months after you receive them (including
payments received in installments).
• Grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts set aside to pay educational expenses for nine months
after receipt.
• Money saved in an Individual Development Account (IDA) (see the SSI Spotlight on
IDAs, page 95).
• Support and maintenance assistance and home energy assistance that we do not count
as income.
• Cash received for medical or social services that we do not count as income is not a resource for
one month. (EXCEPTION: Cash reimbursements of expenses already paid for by the person are
evaluated under the regular income and resources rules).
• Health exible spending arrangements (FSAs).
• State or local relocation assistance payments are not counted for 9 months.
• Crime victim’s assistance is not counted for nine months.
• Earned income tax credit payments are not counted for 12 months.
• Dedicated accounts for children who are blind or have disabilities (see page 23).
• Disaster relief assistance that we do not count as income.
14
• Cash received for the purpose of replacing an excluded resource (for example, a house) that is
lost, damaged, or stolen is not counted for nine months.
• All Federal tax refunds and advanced tax credits received on or after January 1, 2010 are not
counted for 12 months.
• The rst $2,000 of compensation received per calendar year for participating in certain
clinical trials.
• Some trusts (see SSI Spotlight on Trusts, page 84).
WHAT IF I WANT TO SELL A RESOURCE?
If you are trying to sell real property or other resources that put you over the resource limit, you may
be able to get SSI while you are trying to sell them.
When you sell the resource, you must pay back the SSI payments you received for the period in which
you were trying to sell the property or other resource. We call these “conditional benets.” You must
sign the “Agreement to Sell Property” form and we must accept that agreement before conditional
payments can begin. You can get the form from your local Social Security oce.
NOTE: See the SSI Spotlight on Getting SSI Benets While You Try to Sell Excess
Resources, page 101.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GIVE AWAY OR SELL A RESOURCE?
If you, your spouse, or a co-owner give away a resource or sell it for less than it is worth, you may be
ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months. How long you are ineligible for SSI depends on the value of the
resource you transferred.
NOTE: See the SSI Spotlight on Transfers of Resources, page 98.
15
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI INCOME
WHAT IS INCOME?
Income is any item an individual receives in cash or in-kind that can be used to meet their need for
food or shelter. Income includes, for the purposes of SSI, the receipt of any item which can be applied,
either directly or by sale or conversion, to meet basic needs of food or shelter.
TYPES OF INCOME FOR SSI PURPOSES:
• Earned Income is wages, net earnings from self-employment, certain royalties, honoraria, and
sheltered workshop payments.
• Unearned Income is all income that is not earned such as Social Security benets, pensions, State
disability payments, unemployment benets, interest income, dividends, and cash from friends
and relatives.
• In-Kind Income is food, shelter, or both that you get for free or for less than its fair market value.
• Deemed Income is the part of the income of your spouse with whom you live, your parent(s)
with whom you live, or your sponsor (if you are a noncitizen), which we use to compute your SSI
benet amount.
WHY IS INCOME IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM?
Generally, the more countable income you have, the less your SSI benet will be. If your countable
income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI. Some of your income may not count as
income for the SSI program.
WHAT INCOME DOES NOT COUNT FOR SSI?
Examples of payments or services we do not count as income for the SSI program include but are not
limited to:
• The rst $20 of most income received in a month.
• The rst $65 of earnings and one half of earnings over $65 received in a month.
• The value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) received.
• Income tax refunds.
• Home energy assistance.
• Assistance based on need and funded by a State or local government, or an Indian tribe.
• Small amounts of income received irregularly or infrequently.
• Interest or dividends earned on countable resources or resources excluded under
other Federal laws.
• Grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts used for tuition and educational expenses.
• Food or shelter based on need provided by nonprot agencies.
• Loans to you (cash or in kind) that you have to repay.
• Money someone else spends to pay your expenses for items other than food or shelter (for
example, someone pays your telephone or medical bills).
16
• Income set aside under a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). See the SSI Spotlight on Plan to
Achieve Self-Support on page 96;
• Earnings up to $2,290 per month to a maximum of $9,230 per year (eective January 2024) for a
student under age 22. See the Spotlight on the Student Earned Income Exclusion on page 99;
• The cost of impairment-related work expenses for items or services that a person with a disability
needs to work. See Spotlight on Impairment-Related Work Expenses on page 93;
• The cost of work expenses that a blind person incurs in order to work. See Special SSI Rules for
Blind People Who Work on page 94;
• Disaster assistance.
• The rst $2,000 of compensation received per calendar year for participating in certain
clinical trials.
• Refundable Federal and advanced tax credits received on or after January 1, 2010.
• Certain exclusions on Indian trust fund payments paid to American Indians who are members of a
federally recognized tribe.
HOW DOES YOUR INCOME AFFECT YOUR SSI BENEFIT?
Step 1: We subtract any income that we do not count from your total gross income. The remaining
amount is your “countable income.”
Step 2: We subtract your “countable income” from the SSI Federal benet rate. The result is your
monthly SSI Federal benet as follows:
1) Your Total Income
- Your income that we do not count
= Your countable income
2) SSI Federal benet rate
- Your countable income
= Your SSI Federal benet
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE BASED ON SAMPLE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
EXAMPLE A–SSI Federal Benet with only UNEARNED INCOME
Total monthly income = $300 (Social Security benet)
1) $300 (Social Security benet)
- 20 (not counted)
= $280 (countable income)
2) $943 (SSI Federal benet rate)
- 280 (countable income)
= $663 (SSI Federal benet)
17
EXAMPLE B–SSI Federal Benet with only EARNED INCOME
Total monthly income = gross wages of $317
1) $317 (wages)
- 20 (not counted)
$297
- 65 (not counted)
= $232 divided by ½ = $116 (countable income)
2) $943 (SSI Federal benet rate)
- 116 (countable income)
= $827 (SSI Federal benet)
EXAMPLE C–SSI Federal Benet and STATE SUPPLEMENT with only UNEARNED INCOME
The facts are the same as example A, but with federally administered State Supplementation.
1) $300 (Social Security benet)
- 20 (not counted)
= $280 (countable income)
2) $943 (SSI Federal benet rate)
- 280 (countable income)
= $663 (SSI Federal benet)
3) $663 (SSI Federal benet)
+ 15 (State supplement payment for an individual living alone)
= $678 (total Federal and State SSI benet)
EXAMPLE D–SSI Federal Benet and STATE SUPPLEMENT with only EARNED INCOME
1) $317 (wages)
- 20 (not counted)
$297
- 65 (not counted)
= $232 divided by ½ = $116 (countable income)
2) $943 (SSI Federal benet rate)
- 116 (countable income)
= $827 (SSI Federal benet)
3) $827 (SSI Federal benet)
+ 15 (State supplement payment for an individual living alone)
= $842 (total Federal and State SSI benet)
NOTE: For information on how your living arrangement aects your SSI benet, see Living
Arrangements on page 20.
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HOW WILL WINDFALL OFFSET AFFECT MY BENEFIT?
• Windfall oset occurs when we reduce your retroactive Social Security benets if you are eligible
for Social Security and SSI benets for the same months.
• We reduce your Social Security benets by the amount of SSI you would not have received if we
had paid you Social Security benets when they were due.
NOTE: For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Windfall Oset on page 116.
WHEN DOES DEEMED INCOME APPLY?
• When a person who is eligible for SSI lives with a spouse who is not eligible for SSI, we may count
some of the spouse’s income in determining the SSI payment.
• When a child who is blind or has a qualifying disability and is under age 18 lives with parent(s) (or
a parent and a stepparent) and at least one parent does not receive SSI, we may count some of
the parents’ income in guring the child’s SSI payment.
• When a noncitizen has a sponsor, with certain exceptions, we count some or all of the sponsor’s
income in guring the SSI payment.
WHEN DOES DEEMED INCOME NOT APPLY?
• When you no longer live with a spouse or parent.
• When a child is blind or has a disability and attains age 18.
• When a noncitizen sponsorship ends.
NOTE: See SSI Resources on page 13 and the section How Does Deeming Work for a Child on page
24 for more information. Also, see the SSI Spotlight on Deeming Parental Income and Resources on
page 88.
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LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
WHY IS MY LIVING ARRANGEMENT IMPORTANT?
Your living arrangement is another factor used to determine how much SSI you can get.
This means your SSI payments may vary depending on whether you live:
• In your own place such as a house, apartment, or mobile home.
• In someone else’s household.
• In a group care or board and care facility.
• In an institution such as a hospital or a nursing home.
NOTE: For more information on living arrangements, see the SSI Spotlight on Living Arrangements
on page 73 or the spotlight on the One-Third Reduction Provision on page 117.
We may reduce your SSI amount because of your living arrangements when you:
• Live in another person’s house, apartment, or mobile home, and you pay less than your fair share
of your food or housing costs.
• Live in your own house, apartment, or mobile home, and someone else pays for all or part of your
food, rent, mortgage, or other things like electricity and heating fuel.
• Are in a hospital or nursing home for the whole month and Medicaid pays for over one-half of the
cost of your care.
• Are a minor child in a hospital or nursing home for the whole month and private insurance and/or
Medicaid together pay over one-half of the cost of your care.
• Are in a public or private medical treatment facility and Medicaid is paying for more than half of
the cost of your care. If you are in the facility for the whole month, your SSI benet is limited to
$30 (plus any supplementary State payment). We may lower the benet if you have other income.
NOTE: If you will be in a medical institution for 90 days or less, you may be able to receive your
regular SSI payment. See the SSI Spotlight on Continued Benets for Persons Who Are Temporarily
Institutionalized on page 102.
WHAT IF YOU ARE HOMELESS?
We gure your SSI amount the same as we do for a person who lives in their own house, apartment,
or mobile home.
CAN YOU RECEIVE SSI WHILE LIVING IN A PUBLIC SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS?
Yes, you can receive up to the maximum SSI payable in your State while living in a public shelter for
up to six months out of any nine-month period.
WHERE WILL YOU GET YOUR SSI IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ADDRESS?
You do not need an address to get SSI. We will make arrangements to pay you.
For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Homelessness on page 115.
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WHAT IS INKIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE?
In-kind support and maintenance is food, shelter, or both that somebody else provides for you.
We count in-kind support and maintenance as income when we gure the amount of your SSI. For
example, if someone helps pay for your rent, mortgage, food, or utilities, we reduce the amount of
your SSI. Receiving in-kind support and maintenance can reduce your monthly SSI payments as much
as $334.33, depending on the value of the help you receive.
We do not count in-kind support and maintenance if you:
• Live alone and pay for your own food and shelter.
• Live only with your spouse and minor children and nobody outside the household pays for your
food and shelter.
• Live with other people and pay your share of the food and shelter expenses.
HOW DOES MY LIVING ARRANGEMENT AFFECT MY SSI BENEFIT AMOUNT?
Your living arrangement is where you live, if you live alone or with someone else, or if you live in an
institution, such as a nursing home. Your living arrangement also depends on who pays for your food
and shelter. Whether you live alone or with someone else, we need to know who pays for your food,
shelter, and utilities. Here are some examples of common living arrangement situations.
EXAMPLE A: If you live alone in an apartment
Suppose you live alone and your only income is SSI. Yoursibling pays your rent of $800. We count
this payment as in-kind support and maintenance. Although the rent is $800, we limithow much of
the $800 we count by using a presumed maximum value (PMV) rule. The PMV is equal to 1/3 of the
Federal benet rate plus $20. Here are the steps we use to gure the SSI payment amount:
1. The SSI Federal Benet Rate is $943.00.
2. One-third of the SSI Federal Benet Rate of $943.00 is $314.33
3. $314.33 (1/3 of the Federal Benet Rate)
+ 20.00 (from the PMV rule)
= $334.33 (the PMV of in-kind support and maintenance)
4. $334.33 (the PMV of in-kind support and maintenance)
- 20.00 (general income exclusion)
= $314.33 (the amount of the reduction due to in-kind support and maintenance)
5. $943.00 (Federal Benet Rate)
- 314.33 (reduction due to in-kind support and maintenance)
= $628.67 (your SSI benet amount)
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EXAMPLE B: If you live alone in a home that you own
Suppose you live alone in a home that you own and your only income is SSI. Your adult child pays
your electric bill of $100, your phone bill of $50 per month, and your cable television bill of $75 per
month. We do not count the payment of the phone bill or the cable television bill as in-kind support
and maintenance, so these payments do not aect your SSI. However, we count payment of the $100
electric bill as in-kind support and maintenance. Because SSI is your only income, we apply the $20
general exclusion to the $100 electric bill payment. This leaves $80 as countable in-kind support and
maintenance. We determine your SSI benet amount as follows:
$943.00 (the SSI Federal Benet Rate)
$100.00 (in-kind support and maintenance)
- 20.00 (general exclusion)
= $80.00 (the reduction due to in-kind support and maintenance)
$943.00 (SSI Federal Benet Rate)
-80.00 (the reduction due to in-kind support and maintenance)
= $863.00 (your SSI benet amount)
EXAMPLE C: If you live in another person’s household and share expenses.
Suppose you live with your sibling and 2 other adults in a home that your sibling is buying and your only
income is SSI. There are 4 people in the household. The mortgage payment is $700. The average monthly
bills are $200 for electricity, $100 for water and sewer, and $600 for food. The total monthly expenses are
$1,600. Because there are 4 people in the household, your share of the expenses is $400 per month.
If you pay your full share of $400 for the household expenses, there would be no reduction of your
benet and you would get the full $943 in your SSI check.
If you pay less than $400, then you would be receiving in-kind support and maintenance. We would
apply the one-third reduction rule and the $943 would be reduced by $314.33, so your SSI payment
would be $628.67.
EXAMPLE D: If you live in a house rent-free
Suppose you live in a house owned by your sibling who allows you to live there rent-free. You receive $300
per month in Social Security benets. You pay all the utilities and buy all the food. We determine that the
house would rent for $900 per month if your sibling rented it on the open market. The rent-free house is
counted as in-kind support and maintenance. Although the value of the rent-free house is $900 per month,
we count $324.66 as in-kind support and maintenance. We would determine your SSI benet as follows:
$943.00 (SSI Federal benet rate)
$300.00 (Social Security benets)
- 20.00 (general exclusion)
= $280.00 (countable Social Security benets)
$943.00 (SSI Federal benet rate)
- 280.00 (countable Social Security benets)
= $663.00 (sub-total)
$663.00 (sub-total)
- 334.33 (the reduction due to in-kind support and maintenance)
= $328.67 (your SSI benet amount)
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI FOR CHILDREN
WHO IS A “CHILD” FOR SSI?
A person who is neither married (as determined by Social Security) nor head of a household and:
• Is under age 18; or
• Is under age 22 and is a student regularly attending school (as determined by Social Security).
HOW DOES THE SSI DISABILITY PROGRAM WORK FOR A CHILD?
To be eligible for SSI, a child must be either blind or have a disability.
• A child may be eligible for SSI disability benets beginning as early as the date of birth; there is no
minimum age requirement.
• A child may be eligible for SSI disability benets until attainment of age 18 (see denition of
disability for children on page 7).
• When the child attains age 18, we evaluate impairments based on the denition of disability for
adults (see page 7 for the denition of disability for adults).
• A child with a visual impairment may be eligible for SSI benets based on blindness if the
impairment meets the denition of blindness (see blindness requirements on page 6).
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR A CHILD WHO IS “BLIND” OR HAS A “DISABILITY”?
• If under age 18, whether or not married or head of household, the child has a medically
determinable physical or mental impairment or impairments which result in marked and severe
functional limitations; and
• The impairment(s) has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12
months or be expected to result in death; or
• If the child is blind, they must meet the same denition of “blind” as applies for adults (see
page 6 for denition). Unlike the requirement for SSI disability benets, there is no duration
requirement for SSI blindness benets.
SSA is committed to providing benets quickly to claimants whose medical conditions are so serious
that their conditions obviously meet disability standards.
Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions
that, by denition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benets. These conditions primarily
include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that aect children. The
CAL initiative helps reduce waiting time to reach a disability determination for individuals with the
most serious disabilities. By incorporating cutting-edge technology, the agency can easily identify
potential CAL to quickly make decisions. SSA receives information from the public, advocacy groups,
comments received from the Social Security and Disability Determination Services communities,
counsel from medical and scientic experts, research with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and
information received from past public outreach hearings regarding potential CAL conditions. Go to
www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/ for more information on CAL.
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HOW DOES DEEMING WORK FOR A CHILD?
If a child is under age 18, not married, and lives at home with parent(s) who do not receive SSI, we
may consider a portion of the parents’ income and resources as if they were available to the child.
We may also count a portion of a stepparent’s income and resources if the child lives with both a
parent and a stepparent (or an adoptive parent and a stepparent). We also do this when a child is
temporarily away at school, returns home during weekends, on holidays, or during the summer and
remains subject to parental control. We call this process “deeming.”
We make deductions from deemed income for parent(s) and other children living in the home. After
we subtract these deductions, we use the remaining amount to decide if the child with a disability
meets the SSI income and resource requirements for a monthly payment.
NOTE: For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Deeming Parental Income and Resources on
page 88.
WHEN DOES DEEMING NOT APPLY?
Deeming from the parent stops when a child attains age 18, marries, or no longer lives with a parent.
Deeming does not apply and we may pay up to $30 plus the applicable State supplement when:
• A child with a disability receives a reduced SSI benet while in a medical treatment facility; and
• The child is eligible for Medicaid under a State home care plan; and
• Deeming would otherwise cause ineligibility for SSI.
Also, we do not consider the income of a parent for deeming purposes if the parent receives a public
income maintenance (PIM) payment such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and
their other income was used to compute the PIM payment.
NOTE: See page 66 for information on TANF.
If either child or parent is temporarily absent from the household (less than 60 days), the rules about
deemed income still apply.
CAN A CHILD GET MEDICAID?
In most States, a child who gets SSI can get Medicaid to help pay medical bills.
In some cases, a child may be eligible for Medicaid while in an institution, but not be eligible when
living at home either because of the parents’ income and resources or because of other income.
At the State’s option, children under age 18 who need institutional-level care and live at home may
keep Medicaid eligibility while getting home care if that care is less costly to the government.
Even if a child is not eligible for SSI, the child still may be eligible for Medicaid under other State rules.
Always check on Medicaid eligibility with the State.
For more information about Medicaid, go to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ webpage
www.medicaid.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-633-4227.
In addition, other State services may also be available.
If you have children or grandchildren under age 19 who are not covered by health insurance, there is
a Children’s Health Insurance Program that may help. To nd out more, you can look on the internet
at www.insurekidsnow.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). The number
connects you to your State program.
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CHILDREN OF U.S. ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL LIVING OVERSEAS
Children living with a parent in the military service overseas may receive SSI, but they are not eligible
for Medicaid.
NOTE: For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Special SSI Rules for Children of Military
Personnel Living Overseas, page 104.
WHAT IS A DEDICATED ACCOUNT?
When an eligible child under age 18, who has a representative payee, is eligible for certain large
past-due payments covering more than six months of benets, these payments must be paid directly
into a separate account in a nancial institution. We call this separate account a dedicated account
because the representative payee, or later the child, may use the funds in this account only for certain
expenses, primarily those related to the child’s disability or education. The representative payee
must maintain the dedicated account separately from any other savings or checking account set
up for the child. Each year, we will monitor how the representative payee spends the funds in the
dedicated account.
NOTE: For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Dedicated Accounts for Children, page 86.
DEEMING ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
The Deeming Eligibility Chart for Children below gives the highest amount of gross monthly income
for this year (before taxes are withheld) that a parent(s) can earn or receive and still have a child
qualify for SSI. Note that we do not count some types of income that a parent may receive; for
example, money received for providing foster care to an ineligible child.
NOTE: For more information on income, see SSI Income on page 16.
DEEMING ELIGIBILITY CHART FOR CHILDREN FOR 2024
CAUTION: BEFORE USING THIS CHART, SEE “SSI FOR CHILDREN” ON PAGE 23. IF THERE IS ANY
DOUBT WHETHER A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE, CONTACT US FOR HELP.
Gross monthly income BELOW the dollar amounts shown
means a child with a disability may be eligible for SSI.
Amounts given are general guidelines only.
Number of
ineligible
children in
household
All income is earned All income is unearned
One parent in
household
Two parents in
household
One parent in
household
Two parents in
household
0 $ 3,897 $ 4,841 $ 1,926 $ 2,398
1 $ 4,369 $ 5,313 $ 2,398 $ 2,870
2 $ 4,841 $ 5,785 $ 2,870 $ 3,342
3 $ 5,313 $ 6,257 $ 3,342 $ 3,814
4 $ 5,785 $ 6,729 $ 3,814 $ 4,286
5 $ 6,257 $ 7, 201 $ 4,286 $ 4,758
6 $ 6,729 $ 7,673 $ 4,758 $ 5,230
25
The Deeming Eligibility Chart for Children does not apply when:
• The parent(s) receives both earned income (for example, wages or net earnings from
self-employment) and unearned income (for example, Social Security benets, pensions,
unemployment compensation, interest income, and State disability).
• The parent(s) receives a public income maintenance payment such as Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF), or a needs-based pension from the Department of Veterans Aairs. See
page 66 for more information on TANF.
• The parent pays court-ordered support payments.
• The child has income of their own.
• Any ineligible child has income of their own, marries, or leaves the home.
• There is more than one child with a disability applying for or receiving SSI.
• Your State supplements the Federal benet.
Use the Deeming Eligibility Chart for Children in the following States or territory, which do not
supplement the Federal benet for children:
Alabama Kansas Ohio
Alaska Maryland South Carolina
Arizona Mississippi South Dakota
Arkansas Missouri Tennessee
Delaware North Carolina Texas
District of Columbia North Dakota Virginia
Indiana Northern Mariana Islands West Virginia
If you live in one of the States listed below, Social Security administers the State supplement for
children. Call us for deeming eligibility information.
California Montana* Pennsylvania
Hawaii Nevada* Rhode Island
Iowa* New Jersey Vermont
*Montana supplements disabled and blind children in certied foster homes only. Nevada supplements blind children
only. Iowa supplements children with in-home related care or that reside in residential care facilities without SSA
involvement.
If you live in one of the States listed below, your State administers the State supplement for children.
Contact the State for information.
Colorado Maine Oklahoma
Connecticut* Massachusetts Oregon
Georgia Michigan Utah
Florida Minnesota* Washington
Idaho Nebraska Wisconsin
Illinois New Hampshire* Wyoming
Kentucky New Mexico
Louisiana New York
*Connecticut, Minnesota, and New Hampshire only supplement benets for blind children.
26
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI APPLICATION PROCESS
AND APPLICANTS’ RIGHTS
CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI AND HOW TO APPLY
We strongly recommend you check the eligibility requirements for SSI before you start your
application or contact us to make an appointment. If you are unsure that you may qualify after
reading these requirements, call us at 1-800- 772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or
hard of hearing).
You can apply for SSI by:
• Visiting our Apply Online for Disability Benets website to start the application process online.
You may be eligible to apply for SSI through the online disability application.
• Visiting our Get Started to Apply for SSI website to request an appointment to apply for benets.
After you complete your request, a Social Security representative schedules an appointment to
help you apply for benets.
• Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing) and
making an appointment to apply for SSI. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, we also will take
your telecommunications relay services (TRS) assisted calls at 1-800-772-1213. You can have a
telephone appointment with one of our representatives at your local Social Security oce to le
for SSI.
• Having someone else assist you with your application for SSI.
• Calling your local Social Security oce to schedule a telephone appointment to le for SSI benets.
You will have to provide information and work with us to get documents concerning SSI eligibility.
WHEN TO APPLY
Apply as soon as possible so that you do not lose benets. We cannot pay benets for time periods
earlier than the eective date of your application.
If you call us to make an appointment to apply and you keep your appointment and le an
application, we may use the date of your call as your application ling date.
If you do not keep this appointment and you do not contact us to reschedule the appointment, we
will try to contact you. If we do not get in touch with you to reschedule the appointment, we will
send you a letter. The letter will say that if you le an application within 60 days from the date of the
letter we will use the date of your original contact with us as your SSI application date.
If you are in a public institution but you will be leaving within a few months, you may not be eligible
for SSI until you leave. You may, however, be able to apply before you leave so that SSI payments can
begin quickly after you leave. Check with the institution and contact us about ling an application
under the “prerelease procedure.”
NOTE: See the SSI Spotlight on the Prerelease Procedure, page 103.
If you are a youth with a disability in foster care, eligibility for foster care payments in most States
ends when you attain age 18. You may need the income support and health services that result from
SSI eligibility to ease the transition to independent living. To help with this transition, SSA may accept
an SSI application from you up to 180 days before your foster care eligibility ends due to age.
NOTE: See the SSI Spotlight on SSI Benets for Youth with disabilities in Foster Care, page 105.
27
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPLY
• Anyone may apply for SSI.
• There is no charge to apply.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE HELP FROM SOCIAL SECURITY
We will complete the application forms for you based on information you give to us.
We will help you get documents you need to show that you meet the SSI eligibility requirements.
If you are applying because you have a disability or are blind and we decide that the medical
information needed to make a determination is not available from existing sources, we will pay for you
to have a medical exam or test and make the appointment for you. If we decide you need a medical
exam or test, you must go to the exam or test before we can determine whether you are eligible to
receive SSI. In some circumstances we may also pay your travel costs to get to this exam or test.
NOTE: For information on when we pay for travel to medical exams, see the SSI Spotlight on Payment
for Travel to Medical Exams or Tests, page 100.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A REPRESENTATIVE
You may appoint someone as your representative to help you with your SSI claim and go with you to
your appointment(s) with us.
NOTE: See How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI, page 29.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A NOTICE
We will notify you in writing of any decision about your SSI eligibility or change in benet amount.
We will also send copies of all notices to your representative if you have one. Each notice about your
eligibility or change in benet amount will explain your appeal rights.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXAMINE YOUR FILE
You or your appointed representative may request and examine or get a copy of the information
in your case le. Also, you or your representative may access www.ssa.gov/ssi/ssi-law-regs.htm to
review and copy the laws, regulations, and policy statements used in deciding your case.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL
You may appeal most determinations we make about your eligibility for SSI or changes we make in
your benet amount.
NOTE: See Appeals Process, page 56, for further information.
28
HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME SSI
YOU MAY CHOOSE SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU WITH:
• Completing forms.
• Calling your local Social Security oce.
• Interpreting for you.
• Gathering and giving information.
• Taking you to medical examinations, tests, or contacting your Social Security oce.
• Receiving mail for you at their address.
IF YOU WANT HELP WITH YOUR CLAIM, YOU MAY APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE TO
HELP YOU:
• Complete and le forms.
• Gather information and le it with us.
• Review your le and understand the law.
• Get information from us about your claim, including notices and letters, just as you would.
• Represent you at informal or formal hearings.
• Give us evidence for you.
• Help you with your appeals. (See Appeals Process, page 56.)
HOW DO YOU APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE?
• You must sign a statement naming (or in other words “appointing”) your representative. We
have an “Appointment of Representative” form that you can use. You can obtain it online at
www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-1696.pdf or call us and ask for Form SSA-1696.
• Your representative does not have to be a lawyer, but they must have certain qualications.
For example, attorneys must be licensed and all others must have good character and skills to
help you. Also, the representative cannot be someone who is disqualied or suspended from
representing individuals before us or is prohibited by law from acting as a representative.
• An appointed representative’s duties are dierent from those of a representative payee’s.
NOTE: See page 64 for information about a representative payee’s duties.
IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR HAVE DIFFICULTY SPEAKING ENGLISH
• We will provide an interpreter, at no cost to you, if you ask for one or if you need language assistance.
• You may use a bilingual family member, friend, or other third party to interpret for you, if they
meet our requirements for a qualied interpreter.
For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Interpreter Services on page 110.
NOTE: We will not use minor children under age 18 as interpreters when dealing with dicult issues,
unless they are qualied and you request that we do so.
29
IF YOU ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
• You may provide your own sign language interpreter at no cost to us.
• If you prefer, we will provide you with a sign language interpreter, if needed, at no cost to you.
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE
If you do not have a representative and we denied your case, we will give you a list of legal referral
services, legal service organizations (for example, local bar associations, legal aid societies, legal
service corporations, and law schools with legal aid programs), and community organizations in your
area that may represent you or help you nd a representative at no charge.
The representative you appoint may not charge you a fee that is more than the amount we authorize.
WHAT WE WILL ASK YOU ABOUT
To decide whether you can get SSI, we will ask you about:
• Your income.
• The things you own (resources).
• Your living arrangements (where you live, with whom, who pays for things).
• Your citizenship or noncitizen status.
If you are age 65 or over, or a child under age 18, we will ask for proof of your age (unless you already
receive Social Security benets). If you are under age 18 and living with your parent(s), or if you are
married and living with your spouse, we will also ask about their income and resources.
If you are applying because you have a disability or are blind, we will complete a disability report. We
will ask about your health problems, your treatment history, and how your health problems aect
your daily activities.
We will also ask for all of your medical records from medical sources and request authorization from
you to obtain those records. You can also mail your medical records to your local Social Security oce
after you have led your application.
You can complete the Child Disability Report at www.ssa.gov/childdisabilityreport if you are ling
for a child.
30
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED WHEN YOU APPLY FOR
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI
You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for
another. The lists are not all-inclusive. We will tell you what you need and what other documents are
acceptable. We may be able to help you get them if you are having trouble.
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER
You will need to apply for a Social Security Number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number
will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI.
PROOF OF AGE
• A public birth record recorded before age 5.
• A religious birth record recorded before age 5.
• Other documents showing your age or date of birth.
NOTE: If you already proved your age when you applied for Social Security benets, you do not need
to prove it again for SSI.
CITIZENSHIP OR NONCITIZEN STATUS RECORD
If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:
• Birth certicate showing you were born in the U.S.
• Religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the U.S.
• Naturalization certicate.
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• Certicate of citizenship.
If you are a noncitizen, examples of documents you may need are:
• A current immigration document; for example, an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card); or
• I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
If you are a noncitizen who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may need your military
discharge paper (form DD-214).
PROOF OF INCOME
If you have income, you may need to provide the following:
• Earned income — payroll stubs, or if self-employed, a tax return for the last tax year.
• Unearned income — any records you have (for example, award letters, bank statements, court
orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment.
• Work expenses — See page 41 for more information on SSI work incentives.
31
PROOF OF RESOURCES
• Bank statements for all checking and savings accounts.
• Deed or tax appraisal statement for all property you own besides the house you live in.
• Life or disability insurance policies.
• Burial contracts, burial plots, etc.
• Certicates of deposit, stocks, mutual funds, or bonds.
• Titles or registrations for vehicles like cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, campers, etc.
PROOF OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
• Lease or rent receipt.
• Names, dates of births, medical assistance cards, or Social Security Numbers for all
household members.
• Deed or property tax bill.
• Information about household costs such as rent, food, and utilities.
MEDICAL SOURCES if you are ling as blind or a person with a disability
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals, and other providers of medical
services to you and the approximate dates you were treated.
• Names of the prescription and non-prescription medications that you take.
• Medical reports, if you have them.
WORK HISTORY
• Job titles.
• Type of business.
• Names of employers.
• Dates worked.
• Hours worked per day and hours worked per week.
• Days worked per week, and rates of pay for work you did in the 15 years before you became
unable to work because of your illnesses, injuries, or conditions.
• Description of job duties for the type of work you performed.
DISABILITY STARTER KITS
If you are applying for SSI disability benets, the Disability Starter Kits available on our website at
www.ssa.gov will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are
available for adults and for children under age 18. Both the Adult Disability Starter Kit and the Child
Disability Starter Kit are available in Spanish.
The starter kits provide information about the specic documents and the information that we will
request from you. The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and our
decision-making process.
32
Each Disability Starter Kit contains a:
• Fact sheet that answers questions most people ask about applying for disability benets.
• Checklist of documents and information we will request, and
• Worksheet to help you gather and organization the information you will need.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
• Do not wait to apply. If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you should contact us right away.
The earliest we will pay SSI is the month after the ling date of your application, or the month
after you rst meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later. We may use the date you
contact us as the ling date. If you do not have all of the things we need, we will give you time to
provide them.
• We need to see the original documents. If you do not have an original document, we can accept
a certied copy from the oce that issued the original document. We do not accept photocopies.
We will return the document to you.
• Try to keep a copy of things you send us. Keep track of the dates you send information to us, or
talk to us, as well as the name of the Social Security employee with whom you spoke.
33
IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY OR ARE BLIND
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “A PERSON OR CHILD WITH A DISABILITY”?
See page 7 for the denition of disability for a child under age 18. See page 7 for the
denition of disability for anyone age 18 or older.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “BLIND”?
See page 6 for the denition of blindness for an adult or child.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY?
When you le an application for SSI based on disability or blindness, we will rst decide whether you
meet the income and resource criteria and other eligibility requirements. If you do, we will ask you
for the:
• Dates, places, and types of work you have done in the 15 years before you became unable to work
because of your illnesses, injuries, or conditions, including your daily duties for the type of work
you did and why your employment ended.
• Information about your physical or mental impairment(s).
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals, and any other medical sources
you have seen.
• Dates of treatment and the kinds of treatment you have received from your doctors, hospitals and
other medical sources.
• Names of each prescription and non-prescription medicine that you take and the doctor who
prescribed it.
• The kinds of medical tests you have had, when and where they were done, and who sent you
for them.
• For a child with a disability, the name, address, and telephone number of the child’s school and
teacher and a third party to assist with the claim.
It is very important that you give us complete information.
As part of the disability or blindness determination, Social Security also looks at any work you are
doing. Generally, if you are working and earning more than $1,550 per month (eective January 2024),
we will not nd you to have a qualifying disability. We call this Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) (see
page 35). We apply a higher SGA, $2,590 if you are blind (eective January 2024).
The local Social Security oce personnel does not make the disability determination. The local
Social Security oce sends the claim to a State agency that we call the Disability Determination
Services (DDS). The DDS decides whether or not you have a qualifying disability according to the SSA
denition of disability.
NOTE: We or the DDS may ask you to ll out forms about your disability or blindness. If you need
help, a Social Security or DDS employee will help you. If we mail the forms to you, you can also ask
someone to help you.
34
OBTAINING EVIDENCE ABOUT YOUR IMPAIRMENTS AND FUNCTIONING
The DDS contacts doctors, hospitals, schools, teachers, therapists, relatives, or others who can provide
useful information about your impairment(s) and functioning.
The DDS does not examine you and they usually do not meet with you. They may contact you for
additional information. While they will not base their decision solely on your statements about
yourself, (for example, the fact that you are enrolled in special education classes), that kind of
information is very important and useful.
If the DDS cannot get enough information from your doctors and other people to decide if you have
a qualifying disability, they will arrange and pay for an examination or testing by a qualied medical
professional (who may be your own physician, psychologist, optometrist, or speech-language
pathologist or other health care provider). See the SSI Spotlight on Payment for Travel to Medical
Exams and Tests on page 100.
WHAT IS SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY SGA?
We use the term substantial gainful activity (SGA) to describe a level of work activity and earnings
that is both substantial and gainful. SGA involves performance of signicant physical or mental
activities, or a combination of both. For your work activity to be substantial you do not need to
work full time. Work activity performed on a part-time basis may also be SGA. If your impairment
is anything other than blindness, earnings averaging over $1,550 per month or $2,590 for blind
individuals (for the year 2024) generally demonstrate SGA.
Gainful work activity is:
• Work performed for pay or prot.
• Work of a nature generally performed for pay or prot.
• Work intended for prot, whether or not a prot is realized.
For SSI purposes, the SGA provision in initial eligibility cases does not apply to blind individuals.
HOW LONG DOES THE MEDICAL DECISION TAKE?
The timeframe can vary widely, but the decision usually takes about six to eight months from the
date of application.
Individuals with CAL conditions may receive a decision on their claim in a matter of weeks instead of
months or years.
It can vary depending on several factors, but primarily on:
• How quickly we obtain medical evidence from a medical source.
• Whether a medical examination is necessary in order to obtain evidence to support the claim.
• If the claim is randomly selected for quality assurance review of the decision.
Sometimes we can make a “presumptive” disability or blindness determination and start paying you
while waiting for the DDS to make the nal determination. See page 61 for more information.
35
WHO DECIDES IF I AM BLIND OR HAVE A DISABILITY
After helping you complete your application, the Social Security oce will review it to make sure that
you meet the basic non-medical requirements for disability or blindness benets. Then the Social
Security oce will send your application to the DDS oce in your State. The DDS will decide whether
you are blind or have a qualifying disability under the Social Security law.
The DDS will consider all the facts in your case. They will consider what your doctors or other sources
have said about your impairment(s), when it began, how it limits your activities, what the medical
tests have shown, and what treatment you have received. They will use medical evidence from
your doctors and from hospitals, clinics, or institutions where you have been treated, and any other
information they have about your condition.
The DDS looks at the information you have given us. They also review your medical records,
information about how you are functioning, and if applicable, your work history, and then decides if
you are blind or have a qualifying disability for SSI purposes.
If they cannot make a determination based on the information they have, the DDS will schedule a
special medical examination or test for you and will pay for this examination or test. They may pay
for your travel expenses to this examination or test. It is important that you go to the special medical
examination or test if one is scheduled. If you do not keep the appointment, the DDS could deny
your claim.
NOTE: For more information on when we pay your travel costs to attend a medical exam, see the SSI
Spotlight on Payment for Travel to Medical Exams or Tests, page 100.
In deciding if you have a qualifying disability, the DDS team uses a process called the sequential
evaluation process.
WHAT IS THE SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS?
If you appear to meet all the non-medical eligibility requirements (income, resources, residency,
citizenship, etc.), we use a step-by-step process to determine if you have a qualifying disability. These
steps are called the sequential evaluation process. The following sections describe how we use the
sequential evaluation process for adults and children.
SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AGE 18 OR OLDER
STEP 1: ARE YOU WORKING?
If you are performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), we cannot consider you to have a qualifying
disability, and the sequential evaluation process ends here. We make this decision in your local Social
Security oce.
We generally consider earnings over $1,550 per month or $2,590 for blind individuals (eective
January 2024) to be SGA.
If you are not performing SGA, we will send your case to the DDS for a determination concerning your
impairment(s). We refer to the DDS as “we” in the following sections because Social Security uses the DDS
to decide whether you have a qualifying disability according to Social Security’s denition of disability.
STEP 2: DO YOU HAVE A SEVERE IMPAIRMENT?
If you are not performing SGA, we then decide whether you have medically determinable physical
or mental impairments. We need objective medical evidence to establish a medically determinable
impairment. Next, we decide if your medically determinable impairment or combination of
impairments is “severe.” An impairment is considered severe if it signicantly limits your physical or
mental ability to do basic work activities.
36
Examples of basic work activities are:
• Physical functions such as standing, walking, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or
handling.
• Seeing, hearing, and speaking.
• Understanding, remembering, and carrying out simple instructions.
• Using judgment.
• Responding appropriately to supervision, co workers, and usual work situations.
• Dealing with changes.
If your impairment(s) is not severe, we will nd that you do not have a qualifying disability. If your
impairment(s) is severe, we will go to the next step.
STEP 3: DO YOU HAVE AN IMPAIRMENT THAT MEETS OR MEDICALLY EQUALS A SOCIAL
SECURITY “LISTING”?
If your impairment(s) is severe, then we decide if it meets or medically equals criteria in our Listing of
Impairments (the listings).
You have a qualifying disability if you have an impairment that:
• Meets the criteria of one of the listings; or
• Medically equals the criteria of one of the listings.
We determine if your impairment(s) “meets” one of the listings by comparing it to the specic
requirements in the listings. It is not enough to have a diagnosis that is named in the listings. We
determine your impairment(s) medically equals one of the listings if it is at least equal in severity
to any listed impairment. If your impairment(s) meets or medically equals a listing, and meets the
duration requirement, we will nd you to have a disability and the process ends here.
NOTE: Go to www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook to view the published listings.
If your impairment(s) is severe, but does not meet or medically equal a listing, we can still nd you
have a qualifying disability at a later step in the process. We decide the most you are physically and
mentally able to do, despite the limitations resulting from your impairments. We call this a “Residual
Functional Capacity” (RFC) assessment.
STEP 4: ARE YOU ABLE TO DO YOUR PAST WORK?
We next consider whether, given your RFC, you are physically and mentally able to do any job that
you did in the past (generally the last 15 years). At step four, we do not consider whether you can get
a particular job, but whether you can do a particular job. If you can do work you did in the past, we
will nd you do not have a qualifying disability. If you cannot do your past work, we consider the fth
step of the sequential evaluation process.
STEP 5: CAN YOU DO ANY OTHER KIND OF WORK?
At step ve, we consider your RFC limitations, vocational factors such as age, education, and work
experience, and work existing in the national economy. Generally, your ability to do other work is
greater if you are younger, have more education, or have learned transferrable skills in previous work.
If you cannot perform other work that exists in signicant numbers in the national economy, we will
nd that you have a qualifying disability.
37
SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION FOR CHILDREN INDIVIDUALS UNDER AGE 18
STEP 1: IS THE CHILD WORKING?
If a child is working and performing SGA, we cannot consider a child to have a disability, and the
sequential evaluation process ends here. Your local Social Security oce determines whether a child
is performing SGA. We dene SGA for children in the same way that we dene it for adults. We dene
“SGA” in the section What is Substantial Gainful Activity on page 35.
STEP 2: DOES THE CHILD HAVE A SEVERE IMPAIRMENT?
If the child is not performing SGA, we will determine if the child has a medically determinable
physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments established by objective medical
evidence (hereafter referred to as impairment(s)) and whether it is severe. An impairment(s) is
not severe if it is only a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that causes
no more than minimal functional limitations. If the child does not have a medically determinable
impairment(s), or the child has a medically determinable impairment(s) but it is not severe, we
will nd that the child does not have a disability. If the child has a severe medically determinable
impairment(s), we will go to the next step.
STEP 3: DOES THE CHILD’S IMPAIRMENT MEET OR MEDICALLY EQUAL A LISTING, OR
FUNCTIONALLY EQUAL THE LISTINGS?
If the child’s impairment(s) is severe, then we decide if it meets or medically equals a listing.
A child with a disability has an impairment that:
• Meets the criteria of one of the impairments in the listings.
• Medically equals the criteria of one of the listings.
• Functionally equals the listings.
We determine if a child’s impairment(s) “meets” one of the listings by comparing it to the specic
requirements in the listings. It is not enough to have a diagnosis that is named in the listings. We
determine a child’s impairment(s) medically equals one of the listings if it is at least equal in severity
to any listed impairment. If a child’s impairment(s) meets or medically equals a listing, and meets the
duration requirement, we will nd the child has a qualifying disability.
If a child’s impairment(s) is severe but does not meet or medically equal a listing, we determine
whether the impairment(s) “functionally equals the listings.”
We will consider factors such as:
• How well the child can initiate and sustain activities, how much extra help the child needs, and
the eects of structured or supportive settings.
• How the child functions in school.
• The eects of the child’s medications or other treatment.
38
Once we have a clear picture of a child’s functioning in all activities and settings (at home, at school,
and in the community), we consider how the child functions in these activities in six domains. These
domains are broad areas of functioning intended to capture all of what a child can or cannot do. The
domains we use are:
• Acquiring and using information.
• Attending and completing tasks.
• Interacting and relating with others.
• Moving about and manipulating objects.
• Caring for yourself.
• Health and physical well-being.
If a child’s impairment(s) results in “marked” limitations in two of these domains of functioning, or an
“extreme” limitation in one domain, then their impairment(s) functionally equals the listings.
We dene “marked” and “extreme” limitations in several ways in our rules. The most general
denition of a “marked” limitation in a domain is when a child’s impairment(s) interferes seriously
with the child’s ability to independently initiate, sustain, or complete activities. An “extreme”
limitation in a domain is when a child’s impairment(s) interferes very seriously with these abilities.
39
CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS
WHAT IS A CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW?
Social Security periodically reviews your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a
disabling condition. If we determine that you are no longer blind or have a qualifying disability, your
benets will stop.
We call this review a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The law requires us to perform a medical
CDR at least once every three years, however, if you have a medical condition that is not expected
to improve, we will still review your case, once every ve to seven years. We will reach out to you to
obtain updated information about your condition using the SSA-454 (Continuing Disability Review
Report) or SSA-455 (Disability Update Report) form. Those who receive the SSA-455 now have the
option to complete the Disability Update Report (SSA-455) form online.
NOTE: During the CDR, we will also review your income, resources, and living arrangements to
ensure that you continue to meet the non-medical program requirements. We call this periodic
review a Redetermination. For more information on SSI Redeterminations, see page 52.
HOW DO WE CONDUCT CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS FOR A CHILD?
For a child, SSA initiates a CDR at least once every three years if we expect the child’s medical condition
may improve. We may also initiate a CDR if we do not expect the child’s condition to improve.
If we decided the child has a qualifying disability based on low birth weight, we will generally initiate
a CDR by age 1. However, if we initially decide that medical improvement in the child’s medical
condition(s) is unlikely to occur by age 1, we will schedule the child’s CDR after age 1.
During the CDR, we may ask the child’s representative payee to provide evidence that the child
is, and has been, continuing treatment that is medically necessary and appropriate for their
medical condition.
If the child’s representative payee refuses to provide the necessary evidence without good cause, we
may look for another representative payee. We may also decide to pay the child directly, if they are
old enough to receive their own benets.
NOTE: See page 64 for information about the duties of a representative payee.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CHILDHOOD DISABILITY AT AGE 18?
If you are eligible for disability benets as a child, 2 months prior to attaining age 18, we will review
your case. During this review, we will determine if your current medical condition(s) meets the
disability requirements as an adult. When we initiate the medical redetermination, we will use the
adult criteria to determine if you are eligible for disability benets. We use the same criteria for adults
who le new SSI applications.
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI WORK INCENTIVES
WHAT ARE WORK INCENTIVES?
One of our highest priorities is to help people with disabilities achieve independence by helping
them take advantage of employment opportunities. Work incentive employment supports help
people with disabilities and blind SSI recipients go to work by minimizing the risk of losing their SSI or
Medicaid benets.
Some incentives allow us to not count some of your income or resources.
Other incentives let you continue to receive Medicaid coverage even though you are not receiving
SSI payments.
You may be entitled to take advantage of more than one work incentive program. Depending
on the types of income you receive, it will change the amount we do not count and the SSI
payment amount.
Visit our websites at www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/workincentives.htm and
www.ssa.gov/redbook for more information about work incentives.
EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION
We do not count the rst $65 of earned income plus one half of the amount over $65. Therefore, we
reduce your SSI benet only $1 for every $2 you earn over $65.
STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION
If you are a student under age 22, as explained on page 99, we may exclude up to $2,290
of gross earnings in a month (but not more than $9,230 in calendar year 2024) in guring your
countable income.
IMPAIRMENTRELATED WORK EXPENSES
If you are a person with a disability, we may exclude from your earned income any out-of-pocket
expenses you pay for certain items and services that relate to your disability that you need in order
to work as long as the cost is reasonable. It does not matter if you also use these items and services
for non-work activities. For example, we can deduct the costs of co-pays, medications, counseling
services, car modications, assistive technology that people with disabilities use for employment-
related purposes; such as software applications, computer support services, and special tools that
have been specically designed to accommodate the person’s impairment or attendant care services.
We call these expenses impairment-related work expenses (IRWE) and can deduct the cost of them
as long as the cost is “reasonable,” that is, it represents the standard charge for the item or service in
your community. However, if somebody reimburses you for these expenses, we cannot exclude them
from your earned income.
We will exclude IRWE from your earned income when we gure your SSI monthly payment amount.
This means your SSI benet could go up.
We may also consider these items when we gure your earnings in order to decide if you are doing
substantial work. We only look at substantial gainful activity (SGA) when you rst apply for SSI. If you
are receiving SSI and go to work, SGA is not an issue. However, we do have to gure your countable
income, as explained on page 16.
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WORK EXPENSES FOR BLIND PERSONS
If you are blind, we will deduct any part of your earned income that you spend to be able to work
(such as for transportation, taxes, or special equipment) from the amount of income we use to gure
your SSI benet. The expense does not have to be related to your blindness. See the SSI Spotlight on
Impairment-Related Work Expenses, page 93.
PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELFSUPPORT PASS
If you are blind or have a disability, you may set up a plan to set aside income or resources to meet
expenses for reaching a work goal. You may also exclude part of your ineligible spouse’s income and
resources.
If you are a child living with your parent(s), you may also exclude part of your parents’ income
and resources.
Unlike impairment-related work expenses, you may use a PASS to exclude unearned income and
resources as well as earned income and use that money to meet the expenses of reaching your
work goal.
We do not count income or resources set aside under a PASS when guring the SSI benet amount.
You cannot use your SSI payment to pay the expenses necessary to reach your work goal. This is
because you must use the SSI to pay ordinary living expenses.
You can use a PASS to establish, maintain, or increase SSI benets.
NOTE: See the SSI Spotlight on Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), page 96.
TICKET TO WORK
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-170) provides
several important opportunities for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security
disability or SSI benets and who want to go to work or increase their earnings. See our website at
www.ssa.gov/work to nd out more about this program.
One of the opportunities provided by this law is the Ticket to Work Program. The Ticket program is
available in all States. Under the Ticket program, you may be eligible to receive free employment
services from an approved employment support service provider of your choice. Our term for an
approved service provider is an “employment network.” Or you can choose to work with your State
Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
The employment network will work with you to come up with a plan designed to help you reach
your work goals. We pay the employment networks for helping you achieve certain earnings-related
milestones and outcomes. There is no cost to you. The ultimate goal is to help you nd a good job, a
good career and a better self-supporting future.
While you are participating in the Ticket program, we will not conduct regularly scheduled continuing
medical disability reviews to see if your disabling condition has improved.
Under the Ticket to Work legislation, beneciaries who are interested in returning to work can also
receive free benets counseling from Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects.
WIPA projects are community-based organizations that will help you understand the employment
supports that are available to you, how work will aect your benets, and enable you to make
informed choices about work.
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Another provision of the Ticket to Work legislation is the Protection and Advocacy for Beneciaries of
Social Security (PABSS) program. PABSS organizations are located in all states and territories and serve
beneciaries who want to work by helping to remove barriers to employment. PABSS organizations
assist beneciaries with understanding employment rights, reasonable accommodations, and can
assist with complaints about an employment network or your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
You can nd a list of employment networks in your area and other information on this program at
https://choosework.ssa.gov/ or by calling 1-866-968-7842 (TTY 1-866-833-2967).
MEDICAID BUYIN
Another provision of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 expands the
States’ options under the Medicaid buy-in program for working individuals with disabilities.
• States can cover working individuals with disabilities who are at least 16, but less than 65 years of
age using income and resource limits set by the State.
• States can provide Medicaid to employed individuals covered under the group described above,
who lose that coverage due to medical improvement, but who still have a medically determinable
severe impairment.
The Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are
encouraging States to participate in this program.
HOW TO APPLY: To apply for assistance under this rule, you should contact the State medical
assistance (Medicaid) oce in your area to nd out if your State participates or plans to participate.
BENEFIT CONTINUATION FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK: SECTION 1619a OF THE
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
Section 1619(a) provides that, even if you are working at or above the SGA level, you may be able
to continue to receive cash payments and Medicaid benets. Your benets will not necessarily stop
just because of work. To qualify, you must have been eligible for an SSI payment for at least one
month before you begin working at the SGA level; you must still be considered to have a qualifying
disability; and you must meet all other eligibility rules, including the income and resource tests.
MEDICAID WHILE WORKING: SECTION 1619b OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
Section 1619(b) provides that, in most cases, even if your earned income (after the applicable
exclusions) is too high to permit an SSI payment, you may still be eligible for Medicaid as long
as you need Medicaid in order to work and your earnings are under a “threshold” amount. See
www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/1619b.htm to learn more about threshold amounts. In certain
cases you can have an individual threshold amount. See www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html for more
information about individualized thresholds.
REINSTATEMENT WITHOUT REAPPLYING
If you are eligible for Medicaid under Section 1619(b), you remain eligible for SSI and may begin
receiving payments again without a new SSI application if your earnings drop.
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SSI AND EXTRA HELP WITH MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
If you receive SSI and you have Medicare, you are automatically eligible for prescription drug
coverage and Extra Help with your prescription drug coverage costs. You will not be required to le
a separate application. You will be able to select a prescription drug plan. If you do not select a plan
on your own, Medicare will enroll you in a plan with no premium to make sure you get help paying
for your prescription drugs. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare prescription drug plan during
certain times throughout the year.
If you need information about Medicare prescription drug plans or how to enroll in a plan, visit
www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY
users can call 1-877-486-2048. You can also request information about your State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP is a national program that oers free help with your Medicare
questions.
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR SOME INSTITUTIONALIZED BENEFICIARIES
If you are eligible under section 1619 of the Social Security Act and you enter a medical institution,
you may be eligible for a regular SSI benet for up to 2 months.
EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT EXR OF BENEFITS
EXR is a safety net for people who successfully return to work and lose their eligibility to SSI benets
and payments. If your cash payment ended because of your work and earnings, and you stop work
within ve years of when your benets ended, we may be able to start your benets again.
EXR allows you to receive up to six months of temporary cash benets while we conduct a medical
review to determine whether we can reinstate your benets. You may also be eligible for Medicaid
during this provisional benet period. To get payments while we make our decision and to meet the
reinstatement requirements, your previous SSI eligibility must have terminated because of excess
earned income or a combination of earned and unearned income, and you must:
• Be unable to work at the SGA level due to your medical condition.
• Be unable or become unable to perform SGA in the month of the EXR request.
• Have a current impairment(s) that is the same as, or related to, your original
disabling impairment(s).
• Request EXR within ve years from the month your benets stopped.
EFFECT OF WORK ON MEDICAL REVIEW
Eective January 1, 2002, Social Security will not conduct a continuing disability review of a
beneciary with a disability based on work activity alone. This provision applies to SSI recipients who
have received Social Security disability benets for at least 24 months. This provision does not apply
to SSI only beneciaries. If you receive SSI only, we will conduct regularly scheduled medical reviews,
unless you are using your Ticket to Work. As long as you are using your Ticket to Work, participating
in the program, and making progress toward your vocational goals, we will not conduct a medical
review. For more information about Ticket to Work, see page 42.
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CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS AFTER MEDICAL CESSATION
SECTION 301 BENEFITS
If we nd that you are no longer have a qualifying disability due to medical improvement or that
you do meet the adult requirements for disability, your benet payments usually stop. However, if
you are participating in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation (VR) or similar services,
your benets may continue until your participation in the program ends. To qualify for continued
payments, you must meet these requirements:
• You must be participating in an appropriate program of VR or similar services that began before
your disability ends under our rules.
• We must decide that your continued participation in the program will increase the likelihood of
your permanent removal from the disability benet rolls.
Here are some examples of appropriate programs:
• An individualized education program (IEP) for an individual age 18 through 21
• The Ticket to Work
• A Vocational Rehabilitation Agency using an individualized plan for employment (IPE)
• Support services using an individualized written employment plan
• A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
MEDICAID BUYIN PROGRAM FOR WORKING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
What is Medicaid Buy-in? Medicaid Buy-in is designed to provide Medicaid to working people with
disabilities, who because of relatively high earnings cannot qualify for Medicaid under one of the
other provisions.
Who is eligible? States are allowed to provide Medicaid to these individuals by creating a new
optional eligibility group.
Although some States may have more liberal income limits, in most States individuals may become
eligible if:
• They are in a family whose net income is less than 250 percent of the national poverty guideline
for a family of the size involved (for example, the 2024 Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of 3
is $25,820, so the limit for this program would be $64,550).
• Except for their earnings, they would be considered eligible for SSI — this includes meeting the
denition of disability.
• They meet all other SSI income and resource limits.
Each State determines its own denition of a “family.” All SSI exclusions apply to the determination of
family income, including the earned income exclusions.
Individuals are not required to have been receiving SSI benets to be eligible for this Medicaid
Buy-in provision. However, the State must make a disability determination if an individual was not
an SSI recipient. SGA (wages or self-employment) is not a consideration when States make this
determination.
EXAMPLE: The 2024 Federal Poverty Guideline for an individual is $15,060. The net income limit
for Medicaid Buy-in for an individual is income of less than 250 percent of $15,060, that is, less
than $37,650.
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For example, if Joe Green’s annual income is earnings of $42,765 they meet the net income limit (after
the SSI earned income exclusions) and are eligible for Medicaid Buy-in if Joe’s State participates, as
long as they meet all other eligibility factors of SSI.
$42,765.00 earnings divided by 12 months = $3,563.75
$ 3,563.75 monthly earnings
-85.00 general and earned income exclusion
$ 3,478.75
-1,739.38 exclusion of half remaining earned income
$ 1,739.37 monthly countable income, or $20,872.44 a year.
In this example, Mr. Green’s net income of $20,872 is below 250 percent of the poverty guideline for
an individual (less than $37,650).
Are there premiums? States are allowed (but not required) to charge eligible individuals premiums
or other cost-sharing charges. These charges may be set on a sliding scale based on income. Each
State makes the decision about the premiums or other cost-sharing charges.
How do I get more information? To nd out more about Medicaid in your State, call your
State medical assistance (Medicaid) oce. You may nd information on the Medicare website at
www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone on how to contact your State Medicaid oce.
To nd out if your State has a Medicaid Buy-in plan, contact your State Medicaid oce.
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
Most Social Security oces have a Work Incentive Liaison (WIL) who works with outside organizations
that serve people who are blind or have disabilities. Please contact your local oce for the name and
telephone number of the WIL.
Also available to provide assistance are Area Work Incentives Coordinators (AWIC). AWICs are
experienced employment support experts who:
• Coordinate and/or conduct public outreach on work incentives in their local areas.
• Provide and/or coordinate and oversee training on SSA’s employment support programs for all
personnel at local Social Security oces.
• Handle sensitive or high prole disability work-issue cases, if necessary.
• Monitor the disability work-issue workloads in their areas.
See www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/resources-supports.htm#a0=1 for information on how to contact
your local AWIC.
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For more information on work incentives, see the SSI Spotlights on:
Impairment-Related Work Expenses page 93
Special SSI Rule for Blind People Who Work page 94
Individual Development Accounts page 95
Plans to Achieve Self-Support page 96
Property You Need for Self-Support page 97
Student Earned Income Exclusion page 99
Continued Medicaid Eligibility for People Who Work: Section 1619(b) page 109
Go to www.ssa.gov/redbook to view the “Red Book” (a summary guide to employment supports)
on our website.
The Red Book is also available on audiocassette, Braille, large print, and CD. It contains additional
information on both SSI and Social Security disability work incentives. In addition, the above site,
along with www.ssa.gov/work, provide information on our eorts to help people with disabilities
enter the workforce in employment or self-employment. There are sections about vocational
rehabilitation programs, employment support, legislation, employment programs, health care for
people with disabilities, and much more.
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REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
WHAT THINGS MUST YOU REPORT TO SOCIAL SECURITY?
You must report any of the changes listed below to us, because they may aect your eligibility for SSI
and your benet amount:
• Change of address.
• Change in living arrangements.
• Change in earned and unearned income, including a change in wages or net earnings from self-
employment, including your spouse’s income if you are married and living together, and parents’
income if applying for a child.
• Change in resources, including your spouse’s resources, if you are married and living together, and
parents’ resources if applying for a child.
• Death of spouse or anyone in your household.
• Change in marital status (including any same-sex relationships).
• Change in citizenship or immigration status.
• Change in help with living expenses from friends or relatives.
• Eligibility for other benets or payments.
• Admission to or discharge from an institution (such as a hospital, nursing home, or a correctional
institution such as prison, jail, detention center, boot camp, etc.).
• Change in school attendance (if you are under age 22).
• Change in lawful noncitizen status.
• Sponsor (or sponsor’s spouse) changes of income, resources, or living arrangement for noncitizens.
• Leaving the U.S. for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more.
• An unsatised felony or arrest warrant for escape from custody, ight to avoid prosecution or
connement, or ight-escape.
WHAT MUST YOU ALSO REPORT IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY?
• Improvement in your medical condition.
• When you start or stop work, or have a change in pay or hours worked.
• Any change in your Ticket to Work status.
• Any change in your work or PASS expenses (see page 42 for information about PASS).
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WHEN DO YOU NEED TO REPORT?
Report any changes that may aect your SSI as soon as possible and no later than 10 days after the
end of the month in which the change occurred.
NOTE: Please see the “Spotlight on Reporting Your Earnings to SSA” on page 89.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT REPORT CHANGES TIMELY AND ACCURATELY?
You may be underpaid and not receive the benets due to you as quickly as you otherwise could if
you do not report changes on time.
We may overpay you and you may have to pay us back. We may apply a penalty that will reduce your
SSI payment by $25 to $100 for each time you fail to report a change to us, or you report the change
later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred.
If you knowingly make a false or misleading statement or knowingly fail to report important changes,
we may impose a sanction against your payments. The rst sanction period is a withholding of
payments for 6 months. Subsequent sanction periods are for 12 months and then 24 months.
NOTE: See the “SSI Spotlight on Rights and Responsibilities” on page 71.
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SOCIAL SECURITY NOTICES AND LETTERS
WHAT DOES A NOTICE LOOK LIKE?
A Social Security notice will have the following features:
• A heading that always includes the agency name, usually the name of the Social Security
program, and the type of notice. For example:
Social Security Administration
Supplemental Security Income
Notice of Change in Payment
• Social Security’s internet link, toll-free telephone number, and the address for your local oce.
WHY DO WE SEND YOU A NOTICE?
Notices are one of the ways that we communicate with the public. Notices are necessary to explain
our decisions, inform you of your rights and responsibilities, and explain what you can do if you
disagree with our decisions.
We also send notices that may ask you to call or come into the oce, or to request information or
documents.
WHEN DO WE SEND YOU A NOTICE?
We will send you a notice, to inform you about your claim, benet status or benet amount. A notice
will be sent if your benet amount or eligibility changes and/or terminates.
For example, if you receive SSI and changes in your living arrangement, other income, or resources
aect your benet amount, you will receive a notice each time your benet amount changes.
WHAT DO WE TELL YOU IN OUR NOTICE?
Our notices generally state the following:
• The purpose of the letter.
• Any action we plan to take or decision we’ve made and the reason.
• Any change in your benet status or payment amount and the starting date of the change.
• Any action you should take.
• What you should do if you disagree with the decision.
• How to contact us.
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WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS?
You can choose to receive notices from us in one of the following ways. Just let us know which you
prefer. Your choices for receiving notices are:
• Standard print notice by rst-class mail;
• Standard print notice by certied mail;
• Standard print notice by rst-class mail and a follow-up telephone call;
• Standard print notice and Braille notice by rst-class mail;
• Standard print notice and data compact disc (CD) that contain a Microsoft Word le by rst-class mail;
• Standard print notice and audio CD by rst-class mail; or
• Standard print notice and large print (18-point size) notice by rst-class mail.
To select or change the way you wish to receive information from Social Security, go to our secure
internet application, my Social Security or contact us.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS?
Most notices from Social Security are available in Spanish. Notices that are not available in Spanish
include a Spanish cover letter oering translation services from a local Social Security oce.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING OR
RESPONDING TO OUR NOTICE?
Contact us if you do not understand a notice, or if you cannot do what we ask in the time allowed.
Have the notice with you when you contact us, so we will be able to help you more quickly. We will
explain the letter to you and help you do what you need to do to meet your responsibility.
If you misplace a notice that we have sent to you, please contact us. Do not ignore the letter under
any circumstances. If you do, you could lose benets or the chance to exercise your rights.
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REDETERMINATIONS
WHAT IS A REDETERMINATION?
We review your non-medical eligibility factors (i.e., income, resources, and living arrangements) to
determine whether you are still eligible for and receiving the correct SSI payment.
If you are married or you are a child with a disability under age 18 living with your parent(s), we also
review the income, resources, and living arrangements of your spouse or parent(s).
NOTE: We also do a disability redetermination using the adult disability rules when a child attains
age 18. See page 40.
WHEN DO WE CONDUCT A REDETERMINATION?
We redetermine eligibility and benet amounts of most recipients once every one to six years.
When you report a change that aects eligibility or payment (for example marriage), we may review
your record for other factors of eligibiity such as income, resources, and living arrangements.
HOW DO WE DO A REDETERMINATION?
There are three ways that we do a redetermination:
• Telephone.
• In person.
• Mail.
For telephone and in-person interviews, we send a letter telling you that we will call you on a certain
date and time, or ask you to come into the local Social Security oce for a redetermination. Our
sta will ll out the forms during the interview based on information you give them. If you have a
representative payee, we will send the appointment letter to your representative payee.
If you are unable to keep the scheduled appointment, call us. We will make a new appointment that is
more convenient for you.
If we do your redetermination by mail, we will send you a redetermination form for you to complete,
sign, and return.
If you have a representative payee, they must complete and sign the redetermination form for you.
If you need help completing a redetermination form you receive in the mail, call us or visit your local
Social Security oce. Our sta will help you ll it out.
RESPONDING TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR THE REQUEST TO
COMPLETE FORMS
You have 30 days to:
• Respond to the appointment letter.
• Complete and return the form.
• Tell us that you cannot keep the appointment or are having trouble lling out the form.
NOTE: It is to your advantage to respond to our requests as soon as possible.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR
COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM?
If you do not respond, you may:
• Have your payments stopped.
• Be overpaid or underpaid.
If you lose SSI eligibility, you may also lose Medicaid eligibility based on getting SSI.
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED FOR A REDETERMINATION
• Pay stubs or income tax returns.
• Proof of other income you receive (pensions, annuities, unemployment compensation, workers’
compensation, etc.).
• Savings account, checking account, or other bank statements.
• Life insurance policies.
• Burial contracts.
• Proof of other resources (savings bonds, vehicles, property, trusts, etc.).
• Household receipts and bills to show your monthly expenses (lease, utilities, etc.).
NOTE: We may not need all of these documents. If a document is necessary, we will tell you what we
need and help you get it.
53
OVERPAYMENTS
WHAT IS AN OVERPAYMENT?
An overpayment is when you receive more money for a month than the amount you should have
been paid. The amount of your overpayment is the dierence between the amount you received and
the amount due.
WHAT CAN CAUSE AN OVERPAYMENT?
• Your income is more than you estimated.
• Your living situation changes.
• Your marital status changes.
• You have more resources than the allowable limit.
• You no longer have a qualifying disability and continue to receive benets.
• You do not report a change to us (on time or at all) as required.
• We incorrectly gure your benets because of incorrect or incomplete information.
WHAT WILL WE DO IF THERE IS AN OVERPAYMENT?
We will send you a notice explaining the overpayment and asking for a refund of the overpaid
amount within 30 days. If you are currently getting payments and you do not repay the overpayment,
the notice will:
• Propose to withhold the overpayment at the rate of the lesser of 10 percent or the entire
monthly payment.
• State the month the proposed withholding will start.
• Fully explain your appeal rights and how you can appeal our overpayment decision.
• Explain how you can ask us to review and waive the overpayment, so you may not have to pay it back.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU GET AN OVERPAYMENT NOTICE?
If you were a minor child receiving Foster Care benets, and the State was your representative payee
at the time you were overpaid, let us know.
If you believe you were not overpaid or the amount of the overpayment is incorrect, you may request
a reconsideration.
If you ask for an appeal within 60 days from the date you receive the notice, any payment we are
currently making will continue until we make a determination.
NOTE: For information on requesting a reconsideration, see Appeals Process, page 56.
If you believe that you may have been overpaid, but feel that it was not your fault and you cannot
aord to pay us back, you may:
• Ask for a waiver of recovery of the overpayment.
• Ask for and complete form SSA-632 (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery).
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NOTE: You may not need to complete the SSA-632 if you think you are not at fault and your
overpayment is $1,000 or less. Instead, please request a waiver by calling us at 1-800-772-1213. We
may be able to process your request quickly over the phone.
If necessary, we will help you.
You can ask for a waiver at any time.
If we grant a waiver, you will not have to repay all or part of the overpayment. Generally, for us to
grant a waiver, you must show that:
• You were not at fault in causing the overpayment; and
• Paying us back would mean that you cannot aord to pay for housing, food, clothes, or medical
expenses. You may have to submit proof of your income, as well as bills to show that all of your
income is used for your monthly expenses and that it would be a hardship for you to repay; or
• You believe paying us back would be unfair for some other reason.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE OVERPAYMENT, YOU MAY ASK FOR A
RECONSIDERATION, A WAIVER, OR BOTH.
You may ask to see your le to see the information we used in guring the overpayment. You may
have us explain the reason for the overpayment while you are examining your le.
WHAT IF THERE WAS AN OVERPAYMENT AND WE DO NOT GRANT YOUR REQUEST
FOR A WAIVER?
You can request a reconsideration of Social Security’s denial of your request for waiver. If we continue
to deny your waiver request upon reconsideration, you may appeal the determination by requesting
a hearing (see Appeals Process, page 56). If the agency ultimately denies your waiver request, it is
likely that you will have to pay back the overpayment or have it withheld from your monthly benets.
You can submit form SSA-634 Request for Change in Repayment Rate to ask us to withhold less than
the proposed amount each month, or you can arrange to make monthly payments if you no longer
receive SSI benets.
If you no longer receive SSI, we may withhold your overpayment from a Federal Income Tax refund
and/or from any future Social Security benets you may receive. If you become eligible for SSI in the
future, we will withhold your overpayment from future SSI payments.
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APPEALS PROCESS
You can appeal most determinations and decisions we make about whether you can get SSI or if we
make changes to your benet amount. That means you can ask us to look at your case again.
When you ask for an appeal, we will look at the entire determination or decision, even those parts
that were in your favor.
HOW TO APPEAL SOCIAL SECURITY DETERMINATIONS AND DECISIONS
We have established appeals procedures for individuals who disagree with the determinations or
decisions we make. The levels of appeal are:
• Reconsideration;
• Hearing by an administrative law judge;
• Appeals Council review; and
• Federal Court review.
INITIAL DETERMINATION
We call the determinations we make that you can appeal “initial determinations.” These
determinations are SSA’s written ndings regarding any legal or factual issue, including but not
limited to:
• Whether you are eligible for SSI.
• The amount of your SSI payment.
• The fact that you were overpaid, the amount of the overpayment, and whether you must repay it.
After you le an application for SSI, we will mail you a written notice of our initial determination. This
is your rst “initial determination”, but each time we make a determination about your eligibility or
payment amount after that is also an initial determination.
Every time we make an initial determination, we will send you a written notice. If you want to appeal
the initial determination in that notice, you must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of the
date you receive your notice. That notice will tell you how to appeal. The notice will also tell you if
you are entitled to continued benets. If you le an appeal for a non-medical initial determination
within 60 days after the date you receive your notice, your SSI payments may continue or be
reinstated at the same amount until we make a determination on your appeal. If you le an appeal for
a medical disability cessation within 10 days of the date you receive your notice and elect payment
continuation, your SSI payments may continue at the same amount until we make a determination on
your appeal.
Contact us if you need help ling your appeal.
NOTE: You may appoint a representative to act for you in the SSI appeals process. For information on
how to appoint a representative, see “How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI” on page 29.
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STEPS IN THE APPEALS PROCESS
1. RECONSIDERATION
If you disagree with the initial determination, you may le a request for reconsideration.
• For a disability or non-medical determination, take one of the following actions to le a request
for reconsideration.
- Online
The quickest and easiest way to le a request for reconsideration on a disability or non-medical
determination is online at https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made/request-
reconsideration. Select “Start disability request” or “Start non-medical request” button
as applicable. Follow the instructions on the screens to complete and submit the appeal
electronically.
- Send Us a Form by Mail or Fax
You may also download, complete, and print the form Request for Reconsideration (SSA-561-U2)
available at www.ssa.gov/forms online and then send the completed form to your local Social
Security oce. You can nd the local oce fax number and address from the Social Security Oce
Locator page by entering your ZIP code.
• Medical Disability Cessation
You may write to us or complete a Form SSA-789 (Request for Reconsideration - Disability Cessation)
available at www.ssa.gov/forms online.
You or your representative must ask in writing for a request for reconsideration within 60 days
after the date you receive the written notice of the initial determination. We assume that you
receive the notice ve days after the date on the notice unless you show us evidence it was
received after the ve days.
Payment Continuation for non-medical initial determination and medical disability cessation
determination:
• Non-Medical Initial Determination:
- If you ask for a reconsideration in writing within 10 days of the date you receive the notice,
any payment we are currently making will continue until we make our reconsideration
determination if you continue to meet all other SSI eligibility requirements.
- If you ask for a reconsideration more than 10 days after the date you receive the notice, but
within 60 days of the date you receive the notice, your payment may decrease temporarily.
However, we will restart any payment we are currently making once we receive and enter your
reconsideration. You will continue to receive that payment until we make our reconsideration
determination if you continue to meet all other SSI eligibility requirements.
- If you do not want to continue to receive payments, you can ask us not to continue payments by
completing Form SSA-263 (Waiver of Supplemental Security Income Payment Continuation).
• Medical Disability Cessation Determination:
- If you appeal a medical disability cessation determination and you want to keep receiving
benets until we make a new determination, you must complete a written request for benet
continuation within 10 days after the date you receive the written notice. You are entitled to a
hearing with a disability hearing ocer.
We will send you (and your representative if you have one) a written notice of the reconsideration
determination at your last known address. We will state the specic reasons for the reconsideration
determination and tell you and any other appropriate parties of the right to a hearing.
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We have a service that provides detailed information about disability and SSI appeals led either
online at www.ssa.gov or with a Social Security employee. To check the status of your appeal , create
or log in to your personal my Social Security account.
2. HEARING
If you disagree with the reconsideration determination, you or your representative may request a
hearing before a judge by writing to us or by completing a Form HA-501-U5 (Request for Hearing by
Administrative Law Judge). Take one of the following actions to le a request for hearing.
• Online
The quickest and easiest way to le a request for hearing on a disability or non-medical
determination is online at https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made/
request-hearing. Select “Start disability request”or “Start non-medical request” button
as applicable. Follow the instructions on the screens to complete and submit the appeal
electronically.
• Send us a Form by Mail or Fax
You may also download, complete, and print the form Request for Hearing by Administrative
Law Judge (HA-501-U5) available at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ online and then send the
completed form to your local Social Security oce. You can nd the local oce fax number and
address from the Social Security Oce Locator page by entering your ZIP code.
You or your representative must request a hearing within 60 days after you get the notice of
reconsideration determination (or, in rare cases, the initial determination). We assume that you
receive the notice ve days after the date on the notice. You or your representative may review your
le before the hearing and may submit or inform us about new evidence no later than ve business
days before the date of the hearing. You may continue to receive your SSI if you are appealing a
determination that your disability has ended. You must ask in writing for your benets to continue
within 10 days of the cessation notice.
If you do not want to appear at a hearing before a judge, you or your representative may ask the
judge to make a decision based on the evidence in your le.
If you do want to have a hearing before a judge, it is very important that you or your
representative appear at the scheduled hearing. While the agency determines the manner of
appearance, there are several options: in person; video; and telephone. We will provide notice of the
hearing date, location, and issues to be decided at least 75 days before the hearing. If for any reason
you cannot make it to your hearing, contact the hearing oce in writing, as soon as possible before
the hearing, but not later than ve days before the date set for the hearing or 30 days after receiving
the notice of hearing, whichever is earlier, and explain why you cannot attend. If you do not attend
the scheduled hearing, you may lose your appeal rights and benets.
We may pay you for travel costs if the distance to the hearing from your home is more than 75 miles
one way. If you need money for reasonable and necessary travel costs, tell the judge as soon as
possible before the hearing.
The hearing process is very similar for all types of appeals. If your request for hearing is about
whether you have a qualifying disability, the judge will focus on your medical condition(s) and make
a decision based on the evidence in your case le. The judge may also call witnesses to testify. For
example, the judge may call a medical or vocational expert to testify. During the non-medical hearing
process, the judge will focus on the reason you requested a hearing and request evidence specically
related to that issue. Examples of non-medical hearing request reasons include eligibility for SSA
benets, or issues that may have caused an overpayment.
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In certain circumstances, you (or your representative, if you have one) may request to subpoena
documents or witnesses. You must le a written request for the issuance of a subpoena with the
judge or at one of our oces at least 10 business days before the hearing date, unless you show that
your circumstances meet the conditions described in 20 CFR 416.1435(b), including that you actively
and diligently sought evidence and the evidence was not received. The written request must give
the names of the witnesses or documents to be produced; describe the address or location of the
witnesses or documents with sucient detail to nd them; state the important facts that the witness
or document is expected to prove; and indicate why these facts could not be proven without issuing
a subpoena (20 CFR 416.1450). The judge will decide if the documents or witnesses’ testimony is
reasonably necessary. During the hearing, the judge will explain your case and may ask you and any
of your witnesses questions. You may also ask any witnesses questions and present new evidence
under certain circumstances.
For claims that are based on an application for disability benets, you (or your representative, if
you have one) must inform the judge about or submit all written evidence, objections to the issues,
and pre-hearing written statements no later than ve business days prior to the scheduled hearing
and must submit subpoena requests no later than 10 business days prior to the hearing. The judge
may decline to obtain or consider late submissions of evidence, objections, written statements, or
subpoena requests unless you meet certain requirements listed in Social Security’s rules at 20 CFR
416.1435(b). These rules do not apply to claims not based on an application for non-disability benets
(20 CFR 416.1435(c)).
The hearing is informal, but we make an audio recording. You may ask for a copy of the hearing recording.
The judge will send you (and your representative, if you have one) a copy of the hearing decision.
3. APPEALS COUNCIL
If you disagree with the judge’s decision or dismissal of a hearing request, you (or your representative,
if you have one) may request that the Appeals Council review that action. The notice you received will
tell you how to appeal the judge’s decision or order. Take one of the following actions to le a request
for review:
• Online
The preferred method for appealing the judge’s decision or order is by using the SSA secure
online process AC iAppeal Online at https://secure.ssa.gov/iAppINMD/oao. Select “Start an
Appeal” button. Follow the instructions on the screens to complete and submit the appeal
electronically.
• Send us a Form by Mail or Fax
You may also download, complete, and print the form Request for Review of Hearing Decision/
Order (HA-520) available at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ online and then send the completed
form to:
Social Security Administration
Oce of Appellate Operations
6401 Security Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Or, fax it to 1-833-509-0817.
You (or your representative, if you have one) must request within 60 days after you get the hearing
decision or order. We assume that you receive the hearing decision or order ve days after the date
on the hearing decision or order. You (or your representative) may also request additional time to
submit evidence or argument.
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The Appeals Council may also decide to review your case on its own within 60 days of the date of
the decision.
You or your representative may submit or inform us about new evidence. The Appeals Council will
only review a case based on additional evidence if it is new material, related to the period on or
before the hearing decision, and there is a reasonable probability the evidence would change the
outcome of the decision.
The Appeals Council will examine your case and will grant, deny, or dismiss your request for review.
If the Appeals Council grants your request for review, it will either decide your case or remand (return)
it to a judge for further action, which could include another hearing and a new decision. If the
Appeals Council plans to issue a decision that is less than fully favorable to you and does not intend
to remand the case for further proceedings, it will send you (and your representative, if you have
one) a notice of its proposed action and will allow you and your representative an opportunity to
respond before issuing the decision. However, if the Appeals Council plans to issue a fully favorable
decision, remand your case for further proceedings, or issue a decision that is favorable in part while
also remanding the remaining issues for further proceedings before a judge at the hearing level, the
Appeals Council may send you a notice of its review with the decision or remand order.
The Appeals Council will send you (and your representative, if you have one) a copy of the action it
takes on your request for review and explain the reasons for this action.
4. FEDERAL COURT
If you disagree with the Appeals Council’s decision or denial of your request for review of a judge’s
decision, you may le a civil action with the U.S. District Court in your area. We cannot help you le a
court action. You may contact a lawyer or a legal aid group to help you.
You must le an action in U.S. District Court within 60 days after you receive the notice of Appeals
Council action. We consider that you receive notice of the Appeals Council action 5 days after the
date on the notice. The U.S. District Court will review the evidence and the nal agency decision.
The District Court may send the case back to the agency, and a judge may be ordered to hold a new
hearing and issue a new decision. The District Court may also direct the agency to award benets or it
may dismiss the case.
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EXPEDITED PAYMENTS
We can start payments more quickly than usual in four dierent types of situations:
• Presumptive disability (PD) or presumptive blindness (PB) payment.
• Emergency advance payment.
• Immediate payment.
• Expedited reinstatement cases.
PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY OR BLINDNESS PAYMENTS
If your claim is for SSI for disability or blindness, we may make presumptive disability (PD) or
presumptive blindness (PB) payments for up to six months while you are waiting for the Disability
Determination Services (DDS) to make a nal decision. Our decision to grant PD or PB payments is
based on the severity of your condition, the evidence available at the time, and the high likelihood
that your claim will be ultimately approved, and is not based on your nancial need.
NOTE: We will base the amount of these payments on your countable income. See page 16 for an
explanation of countable income.
You may be eligible to receive SSI payments right away on the basis of a PD or PB determination if
you have one or more of the following medical conditions:
• Amputation of a leg at the hip.
• Allegation of total deafness; that is, no sound perception in either ear.
• Allegation of total blindness; that is, no light perception in either eye.
• Allegation of bed connement or immobility without a wheelchair, walker, or crutches, due to a
longstanding condition excluding recent accident and recent surgery.
• Allegation of stroke (cerebral vascular accident) more than three months in the past and
continued marked diculty in walking or using a hand or arm.
• Allegation of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or muscular atrophy and marked diculty in
walking (for example the use of braces), speaking, or coordination of the hands or arms.
• Allegation of Down syndrome.
• Allegation of intellectual disability or another neurodevelopmental impairment (for example,
autism spectrum disorder) with complete inability to independently perform basic self-care
activities (such as toileting, eating, dressing, or bathing) made by another person ling on behalf
of a claimant who is at least four years of age.
• A child has not attained their rst birthday and the birth certicate or other medical evidence
shows a weight below 1,200 grams (2 pounds, 10 ounces) at birth:
• A child has not attained their rst birthday and available medical evidence shows a gestational
age (GA) at birth with these corresponding birth-weights:
- GA: 37-40 weeks; weight at birth: 2,000 grams (4 pounds, 6 ounces) or less.
- GA: 36 weeks; weight at birth: 1,875 grams (4 pounds, 2 ounces) or less.
- GA: 35 weeks; weight at birth: 1,700 grams (3 pounds, 12 ounces) or less.
- GA: 34 weeks; weight at birth: 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces) or less.
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- GA: 33 weeks; weight at birth: at least 1,200 grams, but no more than 1,325 grams (2 pounds,
15 ounces) or less.
- GA: 32 weeks; weight at birth; at least 1,200 grams (2 pounds, 10 ounces), but less than 1,325
grams (2 pounds, 15 ounces).
• Symptomatic human immunodeciency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeciency
syndrome (AIDS); Form SSA-4814-F5 or SSA-4815-F6 is needed.
• A physician conrms by telephone or in a signed statement that an individual has a terminal
illness with a life expectancy of six months or less; or a physician or knowledgeable hospice
ocial (for example, hospice coordinator, sta nurse, social worker, or medical records custodian)
conrms that an individual is receiving hospice services because of a terminal illness.
• Allegation of a spinal cord injury producing an inability to ambulate without the use of a walker
or bilateral hand-held assistive devices for more than two weeks with conrmation of such status
from an acceptable medical source.
• Allegation of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring chronic dialysis and the le contains
a completed CMS-2728-U3 (End Stage Renal Disease Medical Evidence Report-Medicare
Entitlement and/or Patient Registration).
• Allegation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
If we are not able to make a PD or PB determination, sometimes the DDS will make a PD or PB
determination based on one of the medical conditions listed above, or on the basis of another severe
condition, if a nal approval seems likely.
WHAT HAPPENS TO PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY OR BLINDNESS PAYMENTS IF WE
LATER DENY YOUR SSI?
We do not ask you to repay these PD or PB payments, even if you are later found not to be blind or
have a qualifying disability. However, if you received an overpayment for other reasons, (for example,
excess income, SGA, or resources), we may ask you to repay some of the PD or PB payments.
EMERGENCY ADVANCE PAYMENT
We may be able to make an emergency advance payment to new claimants who face a nancial
emergency and who are due SSI payments that are delayed or not received. We can only pay one such
advance payment. The maximum emergency advance payment you may receive is the smallest of:
• The SSI Federal benet rate (plus any federally administered State supplement).
• The total amount of benet due.
• The amount requested for the nancial emergency.
WHO CAN RECEIVE AN EMERGENCY ADVANCE PAYMENT?
People who:
• Are due SSI payments (including PD or PB payments) that are delayed or not received.
• Are facing a “nancial emergency”, which means they need money right away due to a threat to
health or safety, such as not enough money for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
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HOW DO WE RECOVER AN EMERGENCY ADVANCE PAYMENT?
We will subtract the emergency advance payment from the payments already due you and pay you
the dierence. If you are not due past payments, we will subtract the emergency advance payment
from your current monthly benets in up to six monthly installments.
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
We may be able to make an immediate payment to new claimants and those already receiving SSI
whose benets are delayed or not received and who face a nancial emergency. The immediate
payment cannot be higher than $999.00.
WHO CAN RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE PAYMENT?
People who:
• Are initially eligible for SSI, or already receiving benets.
• Are due SSI payments (including PD or PB payments) that are delayed or not received.
• Are facing a “nancial emergency,” which means they need money right away due to a threat to
health or safety, such as not enough money for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
HOW DO WE RECOVER AN IMMEDIATE PAYMENT?
We will subtract the immediate payment from the rst regular payment due to you.
NOTE: The decision to issue an immediate payment is up to us. You do not have formal appeal rights
if we decide you are not eligible for any of these payments.
EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT EXR
If your payments terminated due to excess earned income or a combination of earned and unearned
income, you can request to have your payments started again without having to complete a new
application. We call this process “expedited reinstatement.”
You can request that your payments start again if you:
• Are unable to work at the SGA level due to your medical condition.
• Are unable or become unable to perform SGA in the month of the EXR request.
• Have a current impairment(s) that is the same as, or related to, your original disabling
impairment(s).
• Request EXR within ve years from the month your benets stopped.
In order to reinstate your payments under this provision we need updated medical information for the
DDS to make their determination. A Social Security representative will assist you with all the necessary
forms. If we approve your request for expedited reinstatement of your SSI, your provisional (temporary)
benets will begin the month after your request. You may be eligible for Medicaid coverage.
We can give you provisional benets for up to six months while we determine whether you can get
benets again. These benets include Federal payments and Medicaid coverage.
If we decide that you cannot get benets again, we usually will not ask you to repay the
provisional benets.
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REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM
WHAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE?
A representative payee is a person, agency, organization, or institution we select to manage your
benets when we determine that you are unable to do so yourself or direct others to do it for you.
For more information on representative payees, you can read the publication
When a Representative
Payee Manages Your Money
at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10097.pdf on our website.
Before appointing a representative payee, we must evaluate medical and other types of evidence
about your ability to manage your SSI payments.
WHO MUST HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE?
• Most children under the age of 18.
• Legally incompetent adults.
• Anyone we determine to be incapable of managing or directing the management of
their benets.
WHO CAN SERVE AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE?
• Someone who is concerned with your welfare, usually a parent, spouse, close relative, guardian,
or friend.
• An institution such as a nursing home or health care provider.
• A public or nonprot agency, social service agency, or nancial organization.
• Providers or administrative ocers at homeless shelters.
• A community based non-prot agency that has been approved by SSA to charge a fee for its
service as a payee.
WHAT ARE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE’S DUTIES?
The most important duty of a representative payee is to know your needs and to use the benets in
your best interests. Your representative payee must rst use your SSI benets for your current basic
needs for food, clothing, housing, medical care, and personal comfort items. After paying for your
needs, your representative payee must save for you any money left, preferably in an interest-bearing
bank account.
Each year, we will ask certain representative payees to complete a Representative Payee Accounting
Report showing how they spent and saved the money they received for you during the 12-month
report period.
Your representative payee should respond on your behalf to any of our requests for action or
information. Common requests are the annual Representative Payee Accounting Report, the SSI
redetermination of eligibility, or a request for a continuing disability review.
Your representative payee’s authority is limited to matters between you and us. A power of attorney
does not give someone authority to act as your representative payee. A representative payee has no
authority to enter into any binding contracts on your behalf.
Your representative payee is responsible for reporting to us any changes in your circumstances that
could aect your eligibility to benets (income, resources, change of address, living arrangements,
return to work, etc.).
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You or your representative payee may, at any time, request that we change or terminate the payee
arrangement. Following such a request, we will investigate the situation and make a determination.
NOTE: If you are a representative payee for a child under age 18, see:
• SSI for Children on page 23.
• SSI Spotlight on Dedicated Accounts for Children on page 86; and
• How Do Continuing Disability Reviews Work for Children on page 40.
IMPORTANT: Social Security needs volunteers to serve as representative payees.
If you would like more information, please visit our website at www.ssa.gov/payee or call your local
Social Security oce.
Also, please read the booklet,
A Guide for Representative Payees
at
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10076.pdf on our website.
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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI AND ELIGIBILITY FOR
OTHER GOVERNMENT AND STATE PROGRAMS
Many people who are potentially eligible for SSI benets do not know how receiving SSI aects their
benets or payments from other government and State programs.
MEDICAID
In most States, if you are an SSI recipient, you may be automatically eligible for Medicaid; an SSI application is
also an application for Medicaid. In other States, you must apply for and establish your eligibility for Medicaid
with another agency. In these States, we will direct you to the oce where you can apply for Medicaid.
Please see the Medicaid website at www.medicaid.gov for consumer information.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM formerly “FOOD STAMPS”
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides help for low-income households
to buy the food needed for good health. If you receive SSI, you may be eligible to receive SNAP
assistance to purchase food.
If you are applying for or receiving SSI, you are able to get SNAP information and a SNAP application
form at your local Social Security oce.
If all other members of your household apply for or receive SSI, and you apply for or receive SSI, we
will help you complete a SNAP application and forward it to the SNAP oce for processing. If you and
all other members of your household apply for or receive SSI and already receive SNAP, you may be
able to complete the SNAP forms for a recertication at your local Social Security oce. SSI benets
count in computing SNAP eligibility.
In some States, the SSI application may serve as an application for SNAP if the individual
lives alone. Information is available about SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs at
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10100.pdf on our website.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES TANF
The TANF program provides cash block grants to States. TANF gives states the exibility to determine
TANF eligibility rules and to set TANF payment amounts.
In a household receiving TANF, we pay SSI only to adults or children who are blind or have qualifying
disabilities, or age 65 or older member(s).
AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN WHO NEED IT
Medicaid provides free health coverage to most low-income children through State children’s health
insurance programs. Contact your local State or local medical assistance (Medicaid) oce, social
service oce, or welfare oce for more information.
STATE OR LOCAL ASSISTANCE BASED ON NEED
Some States oer state or local assistance based on need to aged, blind, and people with disabilities
through the State welfare department. The State may require you to apply for SSI if you receive state
or local assistance based on need. If we approve you for SSI, your State or local public assistance
payments will usually stop. Your State may be entitled to collect part of your retroactive SSI benets
as repayment for the money they paid you while we processed your SSI claim.
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID, AND MEDICARE
Many people receive both SSI and Social Security benets.
Medicaid is linked to receipt of SSI in most States. Medicare is linked to entitlement to Social Security
benets. It is possible to get both Medicare and Medicaid.
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States pay the Medicare premiums for people who receive SSI if they are also eligible for Medicaid.
If you get SSI and have Medicare, you will also be eligible for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription
Drug Plan Costs without ling a separate application. See Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan Costs | SSA on our website.
STATE PROGRAMS THAT HELP WITH MEDICARE COSTS MEDICARE
SAVINGS PROGRAMS
You may also qualify for help with certain Medicare costs under the programs below if:
• You receive Medicare.
• Your income and resources are limited.
NOTE: These limits vary in some States.
Contact your State, county, or local medical assistance oce, social service oce, or human services
oce to nd out if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs. To get the phone number for your
State Medicaid oce, visit www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone, and then scroll down the click page
and nd the box that reads, “Get help with costs.” Click on “Find Your State Oce” in the box. This will
take you to a page titled, “Medicaid and CHIP How-To Information.” Scroll down the page until you see
the map of the United States, and simply click on your state in the map. Your state Medicaid agency’s
name and telephone number will appear.
• Qualied Medicare Beneciary (QMB) Program
The QMB program helps low-income Medicare beneciaries by paying Medicare Part A and/
or Part B premiums. Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for Medicare deductibles,
coinsurance, and copayments.
• Specied Low-Income Medicare Beneciary (SLMB) Program or Qualifying Individual
(QI-1) Program
The SLMB and QI-1 programs will pay Medicare Part B premiums only.
Your resources should not exceed $9,430 if you are single or $14,130 if you are a couple. Several
items, like your home and a car are not counted. Also, some States use higher resource limits and
some states may have no resource limit at all.
• Qualied people with a disability and Working Individuals (QDWI)
The QDWI program will pay Medicare Part A premiums only.
If you are under age 65, a person with a disability and no longer entitled to free Medicare
Hospital Insurance Part A because you successfully returned to work, you may be eligible for a
state program that helps pay your Medicare Part A monthly premium.
To be eligible for this help, you must:
• Continue to have a disabling impairment.
• Sign up for premium Hospital Insurance (Part A).
• Have limited income.
• Not have resources worth more than $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple. Your
State will not count the home where you live, usually one car and $1,500 in burial expenses
(per person) as resources.
• Not already be eligible for Medicaid.
NOTE: Some States have dierent limits.
To nd out more about the QDWI program, contact your local, county, or State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP) or Medicaid oce.
SOCIAL SECURITY ENTITLEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to receive Social Security benets. In fact,
the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benets. We often need to obtain
additional information from the person before we can award Social Security benets.
The following sections provide information on who may be entitled to Social Security benets.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AS A WORKER, YOU MUST BE:
• Age 62 or older, or a person with a disability or blindness.
• “Insured” by having enough work credits.
For applications led December 1, 1996, or later, you must either be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present
noncitizen in order to receive monthly Social Security benets.
HOW MUCH WORK DO YOU NEED TO BE “INSURED”?
We measure work in “work credits.” You can earn up to four work credits per year based on your
annual earnings. The amount of earnings required for a work credit increases each year as general
wage levels rise.
To be eligible for most types of benets (such as benets based on blindness or retirement), you must
have earned an average of one work credit for each calendar year between age 21 and the year in
which you reach age 62 or be a person with a disability or blindness, up to a maximum of 40 credits.
A minimum of six work credits is required, regardless of age.
To qualify for Social Security benets based on a disability other than blindness, you must have
worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security’s rules. The number of work credits
you need for disability benets depends on your age when you met the requirements of a person
with a disability. You generally need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year
you become a person with a disability. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
The rules are as follows:
• Before age 24 — You may qualify if you have six work credits earned in the three-year period
ending when your disability starts.
• Age 24 to 31 — You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between age
21 and the time you become a person with a disability.
For example, if at age 27 you became a person with a disability, you would need 12 work credits
in the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).
• Age 31 and older — In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the
chart below. You must have earned at least 20 of the credits in the 10 years immediately before
you become a person with a disability.
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Born After 1929 and Become A Person with a Disability at Age Work Credits Needed
31 through 42 20
44 22
46 24
48 26
50 28
52 30
54 32
56 34
58 36
60 38
62 or older 40
WHO CAN RECEIVE BENEFITS ON YOUR EARNINGS RECORD?
You can receive Social Security benets based on your earnings record if you are age 62 or older, or a
person with a disability or blindness and have enough work credits.
Family members who qualify for benets on your work record do not need work credits. However, if they
le an application December 1, 1996, or later, they must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present noncitizen.
If you are receiving retirement or disability benets, your spouse may qualify if they are one of the following:
• Age 62 or older.
• Divorced from you, age 62 or older, and were married to you for at least 10 years prior to your divorce.
• Under age 62 and caring for a child (under age 16 or a child with a disability prior to age 22) who
is entitled to benets on your work record.
If you are age 62 or older and have enough work credits to receive Social Security benets, but have
not led a claim, your divorced spouse may still qualify for benets on your record. A divorced spouse
must have been married to you for at least 10 years, and have been nally divorced from you for at
least 2 years. This will not impact your Social Security benet.
Your surviving spouse may qualify if they are:
• Age 60 or older.
• Age 50 or older and have a disability.
• Divorced from you, age 60 or older (or age 50 and have a disability), and were married to you for
at least 10 years prior to your divorce.
• Under age 60 and caring for your child (under age 16 or a person with a disability prior to age 22)
who is entitled to child’s benets.
• Divorced from you, under age 60, and caring for their child (under age 16 or a person with a
disability prior to age 22) who is entitled to benets on your record.
A dependent parent(s), age 62 or older, of a deceased worker may qualify for benets based on the
worker’s record.
Unmarried children of a person with a disability or retired or deceased workers may qualify if they are:
• Under age 18.
• 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12).
• 18 or older and have a disability that started before age 22.
Under certain circumstances, we may also pay benets to stepchildren, grandchildren,
step-grandchildren, and adopted children.
69
SSI SPOTLIGHTS
The SSI Spotlights are in-depth looks at some of the program rules referred to earlier in this package. We
designed them as handouts to help applicants through the process of applying for and receiving SSI.
The SSI Spotlights are available for use by the general public. We encourage advocates to distribute
them to their clients and to any other individuals or groups who can use them. The Spotlights provide
more details than our general information pamphlets. See www.ssa.gov/pubs/index.html to nd
online general information pamphlets.
The information in the SSI Spotlights is general and not to be applied to specic case situations. You
must contact us for specic case information.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 71
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS 73
RESOURCES 74
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ACCOUNTS 75
BURIAL FUNDS 76
LOANS 77
ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE ABLE ACCOUNTS 78
TRUSTS 84
DEDICATED ACCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN 86
DEEMING PARENTAL INCOME AND RESOURCES 88
REPORTING YOUR EARNINGS TO SOCIAL SECURITY 89
ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS 91
IMPAIRMENTRELATED WORK EXPENSES 93
SPECIAL SSI RULE FOR BLIND PEOPLE WHO WORK 94
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS 95
PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELFSUPPORT 96
PROPERTY ESSENTIAL TO SELFSUPPORT 97
TRANSFERS OF RESOURCES 98
STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION 99
PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL TO MEDICAL EXAMS OR TESTS 100
GETTING SSI WHILE YOU TRY TO SELL EXCESS RESOURCES 101
CONTINUED SSI BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE TEMPORARILY INSTITUTIONALIZED 102
PRERELEASE PROCEDURE 103
SPECIAL SSI RULES FOR CHILDREN OF MILITARY PERSONNEL LIVING OVERSEAS 104
SSI BENEFITS FOR YOUTH WITH A DISABILITY IN FOSTER CARE 105
SSI BENEFITS FOR NONCITIZENS 106
CONTINUED MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK: SECTION 1619b 109
INTERPRETER SERVICES 110
INCOME FROM THE ARTS 112
HOMELESSNESS 115
WINDFALL OFFSET 116
THE ONETHIRD REDUCTION PROVISION 117
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SPOTLIGHT ON RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS?
You have the right to:
• Apply for benets free of charge.
• Get help from Social Security to ll in the application forms and get documents you need.
• Have someone help you with your SSI claim and have that person go with you when you visit the
Social Security Administration.
• Be represented by a qualied individual of your choosing (whether an attorney or a non-attorney).
• Ask to see or get copies of the information in your records.
• Get a letter that will tell you what we determine about what benets you can get and what we
will pay you.
• Appeal most determinations we make about whether you can get SSI, or the amount of SSI, if you
disagree with our determination.
• Have the assistance of an interpreter, free of charge, if you do not speak English well enough to do
business with us.
• Get help from us to obtain your medical records.
• Get copies of the law, regulations, or policy statements used to decide your claim.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
You must tell us when:
• You move or change your mailing address.
• Anyone moves into or out of your household.
• There is a change in the income or earnings of you, your spouse, or your parents (if you are a child).
• You have returned to work, or your condition has improved and you are now able to work.
• There is a change in resources owned by you, your spouse, or your parents (if you are a child).
• You get help with living expenses or get income from friends or relatives.
• Your spouse or anyone in your household dies.
• You get married, separated, or divorced (including any same-sex relationships).
• You change your name.
• You become eligible for other benets or payments.
• You enter or leave an institution (such as a hospital, nursing home, prison, or jail).
• You leave the United States or return to the United States.
• You have an unsatised felony or arrest warrant for escape from custody, ight to avoid
prosecution or connement, or ight-escape.
• There is a change in your school attendance (if under age 22).
• There is a change in your immigration status.
• You are a sponsored immigrant and your sponsor’s income changes.
• Your condition improves, if you get SSI because of a disability or blindness.
• You cannot keep an appointment with our oce.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
72
REMINDERS
• If you become unable to manage your funds, you should report this to Social Security.
• We will provide free interpreter services at your request to conduct your Social Security business.
Please call us rst so that someone who speaks your language will be available to help you. See
the SSI Spotlight on Interpreter Services, page 110.
• You and your representative must provide us with accurate information. It is illegal to knowingly
and willfully give us false information.
• You must tell us about all of your medical treatment sources when you apply based on a disability
or blindness.
• Generally, you have 60 days to notify us if you want to appeal a determination that you
disagree with.
• In the event of your death, a family member or friend should notify us.
PLEASE NOTE: This handout provides a general overview of your SSI rights and responsibilities. We
do not mean for the information to cover all parts of the law. For specic information about your case,
contact Social Security.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit or write any Social Security oce, or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. You can
speak to a representative between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Whenever you
call, have your Social Security Number handy.
Spanish speaking representatives are also available to take your calls. Follow the instructions in
Spanish to reach a Spanish-speaking representative.
Recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.
If you contact the local oce or call the 1-800 number service and you need an interpreter to
communicate with us, we will provide one upon request, free of charge.
If you have a TTY machine, you may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 8 a.m.
and 7 p.m. on business days.
We treat all calls condentially whether they’re made to our toll-free numbers or to one of our local
oces. We also want to ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service. That’s why we have a
second Social Security representative monitor some incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
You may also visit our website on the Internet at www.ssa.gov for other topics regarding SSI or
Social Security.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
73
SPOTLIGHT ON LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
DOES WHERE I LIVE AFFECT HOW MUCH SSI I CAN GET?
Yes, it can. If you live in your own place and pay your own food and shelter costs, regardless of
whether you own or rent, you may get up to the maximum SSI amount payable in your State. You
may also get up to the maximum if you live in someone else’s household as long as you pay your
food and shelter costs. If you live in someone else’s household and don’t pay your food and shelter
costs or pay only part of your food and shelter costs, your SSI payment may be reduced by up to one-
third of the SSI Federal benet rate.
DO MY LIVING EXPENSES AFFECT MY SSI BENEFIT?
Generally, they do not. Your SSI benet amount depends on your income, not on your expenses.
WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE HELPS PAY MY LIVING EXPENSES?
Any food or shelter you get from someone else that you do not pay for may reduce your SSI payment.
However, we do not reduce your payment if your spouse who is living with you provides these items.
Likewise, if you are a minor child, we will not reduce your benets if a parent or parents who live with
you provide these items.
There is a limit on how much food and shelter we may count. The limit is one third of the maximum
Federal SSI amount payable for a month, plus $20.
We do not consider items you receive that you cannot use for food or shelter as income. For example,
if someone buys you a household or personal item, such as a small kitchen appliance, clothing, or a
piece of jewelry of modest value, it does not reduce your SSI payment.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE IN INSTITUTIONS?
Generally, people who live in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, or jails are not
eligible for SSI or are only eligible for a maximum of $30 a month (some States supplement this $30
benet). However, there are some exceptions. For more information about one of these exceptions,
see the SSI Spotlight on Continued Benets for Persons Who Are Temporarily Institutionalized on
page 102.
WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS?
Having a permanent residence is not a requirement for receiving SSI. If you are homeless, you may
receive up to the maximum SSI amount payable in your State. In addition, if you are receiving SSI, you
may be able to receive subsidized housing.
If you live in a public shelter, you can receive SSI for up to six months out of any nine months that
you live there. For more information on homelessness see the SSI Spotlight on Homelessness on
page 115.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
74
SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES
WHAT ARE RESOURCES?
A resource is money as well as something that you own and can turn into cash. Examples of resources
are property, stocks, bonds, and bank accounts.
WHY ARE RESOURCES IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM?
SSI is a needs-based program. To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than
$2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. We call this the resource limit.
Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit. Many things you
own do not count.
WHAT THINGS DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE RESOURCE LIMIT?
The following things generally do not count toward the resource limit:
• The home you live in and the land it is on.
• One vehicle, if you or a member of your household use it for transportation.
• Household goods and personal eects.
• Life insurance policies you own with a combined face value of $1,500 or less.
• Burial plots or spaces for you or your immediate family.
• Burial funds of up to $1,500 each for you and your spouse’s burial expenses.
• Property you or your spouse use in a trade or business, or on your job if you work for someone
else (see the SSI Spotlight on Property Essential to Self Support, page 97).
• If you are blind or have a disability, money or property you have set aside under a Plan to Achieve
Self-Support (PASS) (see the Spotlight on page 96).
• Up to $100,000 of funds in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account established
through a State ABLE program (see the Spotlight on ABLE Accounts, page 78).
There are other things you own that may not count as resources for SSI. Sometimes you might be
able to get monthly benets even if you own things that put you over the resource limit.
For more information, see the Spotlight on page 101, “Getting SSI Benets While You Try to Sell
Excess Resources.”
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ACCOUNTS
Financial institution accounts include checking or savings, Christmas club, credit union, certicate of
deposit, and money market accounts. They can be individual or joint accounts. We look at the title of
the account to determine who has access to the money in that account.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND JOINT ACCOUNT?
• An individual account has one person’s name on the title and, usually, only that person can
withdraw money from the account.
• A joint account has more than one person’s name on the title, for example John or Mary Jones,
and all persons named can withdraw money from the account.
CAN I HAVE A JOINT ACCOUNT AND RECEIVE SSI?
Yes, but we consider the money in the account to belong to you even if you do not consider the
money to be yours. If you receive SSI and have a joint account with someone who:
• Does not receive SSI, all of the money in the account is considered yours; or
• Receives SSI, we assume that you both own the money in equal shares unless you can show
us otherwise.
For a joint account, you have the chance to show us that some or all of the money does not belong to
you. We call this a rebuttal. Your local oce can tell you what you have to do to show that the money
is not yours.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT, BUT I AM HOLDING MONEY FOR
SOMEONE ELSE IN IT?
We consider all of the money in your account to be yours. If you receive benets for someone else,
for example as a representative payee, or you are holding money for someone else in your account,
for example as a trustee, it is important that your account be titled to show this. Your Social Security
oce can tell you how you should title the account.
Example: Mary Harris receives SSI. Mary also receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) for their child, Mavis. The monies from SSI and TANF are deposited into Mary’s individual
account. That account balance is $2,200. For SSI purposes, Mary’s share of that account is $2,200.
When Mary contacts us, we advise them how to set up and properly title a separate account for
Mavis.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
76
SPOTLIGHT ON BURIAL FUNDS
WHAT IS A BURIAL FUND?
A burial fund is money set aside to pay for burial expenses. For example, this money can be in a bank
account, other nancial instrument, or a prepaid burial arrangement.
Some States allow an individual to pre-pay for their burial by contracting with a funeral home and
paying in advance for their funeral. You should discuss this with your local Social Security oce.
DOES A BURIAL FUND COUNT AS A RESOURCE FOR SSI?
Generally, you and your spouse can set aside up to $1,500 each to pay for burial expenses. In most
cases, this money will not count as a resource for SSI.
If you (or your spouse) own life insurance policies or have other burial arrangements in addition to
your $1,500 burial funds, some of the money in the burial fund may count toward the resource limit of
$2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
DOES INTEREST EARNED ON YOUR AND YOUR SPOUSE’S BURIAL FUND COUNT
AS A RESOURCE OR INCOME FOR SSI?
No. Interest earned on your (or your spouse’s) burial fund that you leave in the fund does not count as
a resource or income for SSI and does not aect your SSI payment amount.
HOW CAN YOU SET UP A BURIAL FUND?
Any account you set up must clearly show that the money is set aside to pay burial expenses.
Generally, you can do this by either one of the following:
• Titling the account as a burial fund; or
• Signing a statement saying all of the following:
; How much has been set aside for burial expenses.
; For whose burial the money is set aside.
; How the money has been set aside.
; The date you rst considered the money set aside for burial expenses.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SPEND MONEY FROM A BURIAL FUND?
If you spend any money from a burial fund on items unrelated to burial expenses, there may be
a penalty.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
77
SPOTLIGHT ON LOANS
WHAT IS A LOAN?
A loan is anything you receive from someone that you agree to pay for at a later date.
You can make the loan agreement with a lending institution, such as a bank, or an individual, such as
a friend or relative.
You can make it orally or in writing, but it must be enforceable under State law.
A loan can be:
• Cash.
• Food.
• Shelter items (rent, mortgage, utility bills, etc.).
HOW DOES A LOAN AFFECT MY SSI BENEFIT?
If you enter into a valid loan agreement, the value of the cash or item you receive is not income and
does not reduce your SSI payment.
However, any funds that you borrow which you do not spend in that month, will count toward your
SSI resource limit of $2,000 for an individual (or $3,000 for a couple) the next month.
If you lend money to someone else, the money they owe you may be a countable resource and may
aect your eligibility for SSI.
DOES INTEREST ON A LOAN COUNT AS INCOME FOR SSI?
If you lend money to someone else, and we count the loan agreement as a resource, then we do not
count the interest you receive as income.
SPOTLIGHT ON ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE
ACCOUNTS ABLE
INFORMATION ABOUT TAX-FREE SAVING ACCOUNTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) became law on December 19,
2014. The law aims to ease nancial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free
saving accounts available to cover qualied disability expenses.
IMPORTANT FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE ABLE ACT
• The designated beneciary of an ABLE account is the eligible individual who owns the ABLE
account. They must be:
• receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on blindness or disability that began
before age 26;
• in SSI suspense due solely to excess income or resources but otherwise eligible for SSI based
on blindness or disability that began before age 26;
• receiving disability insurance benets (DIB), childhood disability benets (CDB), or widow’s with
disabilities or widower’s benets (DWB) based on blindness or disability that began before age 26; or
• the subject of a disability certication.
- A disability certication, to be signed by the individual or someone else establishing the
ABLE account for the individual:
Certies that the individual is blind or has a physical or mental impairment that results in marked
and severe functional limitations and that such blindness or disability began before age 26;
Includes a certication that the individual has a copy of the diagnosis relating to their
relevant impairment(s), signed by a physician.
- Conditions on SSA’s “List of Compassionate Allowances Conditions” are deemed to meet the
requirements for ling a disability certication if the condition was present and produced
marked and severe functional limitations before the individual attained age 26.
NOTE: We do not determine ABLE eligibility.
• An eligible individual may have only one ABLE account.
• A contribution is the deposit of funds into an ABLE account. Any person may contribute to an ABLE
account for an eligible beneciary. Typically, contributions for an ABLE account may not exceed the
annual gift tax exemption ($18,000 in 2024). However, if the beneciary is working, and they or their
employer are not making certain retirement plan contributions, the beneciary may contribute
an additional amount equal to the lesser of their annual compensation or the individual Federal
Poverty Level for a one-person household in their state of residence for the prior calendar year
(which for 2023, would be $13,590 in the continental US, $16,990 in Alaska, and $15,630 in Hawaii).
For 2024, the additional amounts are $14,580 in the continental US, $18,210 in Alaska, and $16,770 in
Hawaii.
• A distribution is the withdrawal from an ABLE account. Distributions are only to or for the
benet of the designated beneciary.
• A person with signature authority can establish and control an ABLE account for a designated
beneciary who is a minor child or is otherwise incapable of managing the account.
• A representative payee with signature authority may place benets into an ABLE account
when they determine that it is in the beneciary’s best interest. Representative payees
who choose to place benets in an ABLE account must follow our general payee rules for
managing benets. There are no exceptions to our payee rules for ABLE accounts.
78
• Qualied disability expenses (QDE) are expenses made for the benet of the designated
beneciary and related to their disability, including, but not limited to:
• Education.
• Housing.
• Transportation.
• Employment training and support.
• Assistive technology and related services.
• Health.
• Prevention and wellness.
• Financial management and administrative services.
• Legal fees.
• Expenses for ABLE account oversight and monitoring.
• Funeral and burial.
• Basic living expenses.
• A rollover is one of the following;
• The distribution of all or some of the funds from one ABLE account to the ABLE account of the
designated beneciary or a member of their family; or
• A limited amount from a qualied tuition plan (also called a 529 plan) to the SSI applicant,
recipient, or deemor’s ABLE account.
• A program-to-program transfer is:
• the entire balance of an ABLE account into an ABLE account of the same designated
beneciary in which the rst ABLE account is closed upon the transfer of the funds; or
• part or all of the balance to an ABLE account of an eligible individual who is a member of the
family of the designated beneciary.
TREATMENT OF ABLE UNDER FEDERAL MEANS-TESTED PROGRAMS
SSI Program
We disregard the rst $100,000. Only assets above $100,000 count as a resource. If an ABLE balance
exceeds $100,000 by an amount that causes you to exceed the SSI resource limit — whether alone or with
other resources, we suspend the SSI payment until the countable resources are below the allowable limit.
Medicaid Program
A beneciary’s Medicaid continues when an SSI recipient’s ABLE account exceeds $100,000 by an
amount that causes the recipient to exceed the SSI resource limit--whether alone or with other
resources. The recipient retains eligibility for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) without a time limit
as long as they remain otherwise eligible. If ABLE resources above $100,000 cause an individual
to exceed the resource limit, then Medicaid continues uninterrupted. If non-ABLE resources over
$100,000 cause an individual to exceed the resource limit, Medicaid is suspended.
Medicaid Payback Provision
A portion or all of the balance remaining in the ABLE account of a deceased designated beneciary
must be distributed to a State that les a claim against the designated beneciary or the ABLE
account itself with respect to benets provided to the designated beneciary under that State’s
Medicaid plan. The payment of such claim (if any) will be made only after providing for the payment
79
from the designated beneciary’s ABLE account of the designated beneciary’s funeral and burial
expenses and all outstanding payments due for their other qualied disability expenses, and will be
limited to the amount of the total medical assistance paid for the designated beneciary after the
establishment of the ABLE account over the amount of any premiums paid, whether from the ABLE
account or otherwise by or on behalf of the designated beneciary, to a Medicaid Buy-In program.
After the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for ling Medicaid claims against the
designated beneciary’s estate, a qualied ABLE program may distribute the balance of the ABLE
account to the successor designated beneciary or, if none, to the deceased designated beneciary’s
estate. Some States have taken steps to limit payback. See state plan disclosure documents for
specic details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an ABLE account?
An Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account is a tax-advantaged savings account.
Contributions can be made to meet the qualied disability expenses of the owner, or
designated beneciary. ABLE accounts receive favorable treatment and are excluded from
resources in whole or in part, for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs.
2. What is the federal law that made ABLE accounts possible?
The Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act became law on December
19, 2014. The law aims to increase nancial independence and improve quality of life while
easing nancial hardship faced by many individuals with disabilities and their families.
3. Who is eligible to own an ABLE account?
In order to be eligible to own an ABLE account, a person must be:
• receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on blindness or disability that began
before age 26;
• in SSI suspense due solely to excess income or resources but otherwise eligible for SSI based
on blindness or disability that began before age 26;
• receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benets (DIB), childhood disability benets (CDB),
or widow’s with disabilities or widower’s benets (DWB) based on blindness or disability that
began before age 26; or
• the subject of a disability certication.
- A disability certication, to be signed by the individual or someone else establishing the
ABLE account for the individual:
Certies that the individual is blind or has a physical or mental impairment that results in marked
and severe functional limitations and that such blindness or disability began before age 26;
Includes a certication that the individual has a copy of the diagnosis relating to their
relevant impairment(s), signed by a physician.
- Conditions on SSA’s “List of Compassionate Allowances Conditions” are deemed to meet the
requirements for ling a disability certication if the condition was present and produced
marked and severe functional limitations before the individual attained age 26.
Note: We do not determine ABLE eligibility.
4. Do you have to provide proof of disability when opening an ABLE account?
Most ABLE programs simply require individuals to certify that they have a disability and are
eligible to open an account. You do not, generally, have to send in medical records or diagnoses
in order to open an ABLE account. The person must make the proof available for the IRS or the
ABLE program if requested to satisfy the disability certication requirement. Account owners
must recertify their eligibility annually.
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5. Who is the owner and beneciary of an ABLE account?
The person with the disability is the owner and the beneciary of the ABLE account. Therefore,
you may see “owner” and “designated beneciary” used interchangeably when you get
information about ABLE accounts.
6. Who can have signature authority?
A person with signature authority over an ABLE account may administer the account on behalf
of the individual. The person may be the eligible individual’s agent under a power of attorney
or, if none, a conservator or legal guardian, spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent of the eligible
individual, or a representative payee appointed for the eligible individual by SSA, in that order.
Be aware that the representative payee appointed by SSA may not be the same person who has
signature authority over the beneciary’s ABLE account.
7. Do ABLE account balances count toward the SSI statutory resource limit?
Up to and including $100,000 in the person’s ABLE account is excluded from being treated as a
countable resource for SSI benets calculations.
8. What happens if an SSI recipient has more than $100,000 in an ABLE account?
Up to and including $100,000 in an ABLE account is disregarded. Only assets above $100,000
count as a resource for SSI purposes. If the ABLE account balance exceeds $100,000 by an
amount that causes the recipient to exceed the SSI resource limit, either alone or with other
resources, SSI benets will be suspended without a time limit (assuming that the individual
otherwise remains eligible for SSI). SSI benets are reinstated for all months in which the ABLE
account balance no longer causes the individual to exceed the resource limit and the individual
is otherwise eligible for SSI.
9. What happens if countable, non-ABLE resources exceed the allowable SSI resource limit?
The SSI benets will be suspended and the eligibility for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) will
be lost. The SSI eligibility and Medicaid benets can be reinstated for all months in which the
resources, including the ABLE account, no longer exceed the resource limit. The SSI eligibility
terminates after 12 months if the suspension continues for that period of time.
10. Will Medicaid be suspended if the ABLE account exceeds $100,000?
No. Medicaid eligibility continues even if the ABLE account exceeds $100,000 by an amount that
causes the recipient to exceed the SSI resource limit, whether alone or with other resources, as
long as the individual remains otherwise eligible for SSI.
11. Who may contribute to an ABLE account?
Any person may contribute to, or deposit funds into, an ABLE account. (The Internal Revenue
Code denes a person as including an individual, trust, estate, partnership, association,
company, or corporation.)
12. Can Social Security or SSI benets be deposited into an ABLE account?
Yes. Beneciaries who receive Social Security or SSI benets can deposit their benets into their
ABLE accounts. If the beneciary has a representative payee (payee), the payee must ensure that
the ABLE account adheres to all requirements of the Representative Payee Program. For more
information for payees who use ABLE accounts to manage benets, please visit our website:
Social Security - Representative Payee Program - Payee and ABLE Accounts (ssa.gov).
13. Can a Representative Payee deposit SSA funds into an ABLE account?
For information on representative payees’ use of ABLE accounts to manage funds, please visit
Use of ABLE Accounts by Representative Payees.
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14. How much may be contributed annually to an ABLE account?
Total contributions from all sources are limited to the annual gift tax exclusion, unless the
account owner is employed (see below). In 2023, the gift tax exclusion limit is $17,000. In 2024,
the gift tax exclusion is $18,000.
15. Can more money be contributed to the ABLE account of a working account owner?
Yes. ABLE account owners who are employed, and for whom certain retirement plan
contributions have not been made for the taxable year, may contribute additional funds to their
ABLE accounts beyond the annual gift tax exclusion limit ($17,000 in 2023; $18,000 in 2024).
The additional annual contributions may not exceed the federal poverty level for a one-person
household (in the designated beneciary’s state of residence) for the previous calendar year or
the designated beneciary’s compensation for the current taxable year, whichever is less.
16. What is a distribution from an ABLE account?
A distribution is any payment from an ABLE account. Distributions (other than returns
of contributions) may be made only to, or for the benet of, the designated beneciary.
Distributions for Qualied Disability Expenses are not counted as taxable income.
17. What are Qualied Disability Expenses (QDE)?
Qualied Disability Expenses (QDE) are expenses that relate to the disability or blindness of the
designated beneciary and that are for the benet of the designated beneciary in improving
health, independence, or quality of life. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses
related to the designated beneciary’s: education; housing; transportation; employment
training and support; assistive technology; healthcare, prevention, and wellness; nancial
management and administrative services; legal fees; account oversight and monitoring; funeral
and burial expenses; and basic living expenses.
18. Do distributions from ABLE accounts impact SSI benets?
A distribution for a housing expense or for an expense that is not a QDE is counted as a
resource, if the designated beneciary retains the distribution into the month following the
month of receipt. If the designated beneciary spends the distribution within the month of
receipt, there is no eect on SSI eligibility.
19. Who can open an ABLE account?
The ABLE account may be established by a person selected by the eligible individual or if an
eligible individual (whether a minor or adult) is unable to establish their own ABLE account, an
ABLE account may be established on behalf of the eligible individual by: the eligible individual’s
agent under a power of attorney or, if none, by a conservator or legal guardian; spouse, parent,
sibling, grandparent of the eligible individual; or a representative payee appointed for the
eligible individual by the Social Security Administration (SSA), in that order. An account opened
by a representative payee appointed by SSA must meet all of the SSA account rules and
requirements.
20. How do you open an ABLE account?
You can open an ABLE account by going directly to an ABLE program’s website or by calling
their customer service. Some state programs may oer paper enrollment.
21. Who administers ABLE programs?
States administer ABLE programs.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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22. Does the ABLE account have to be opened in the home state of the eligible individual?
No. Eligible persons or their authorized legal representatives may open an account in their own
State’s plan or in a State plan that is available to out-of-State residents. Some State plans are
available only to residents of that State. It is important to look at one’s home State plan rst in
case there are tax benets for owning an ABLE account with that plan.
23. How many ABLE accounts may an account owner have?
Only one ABLE account can be owned no matter what plan you enroll in.
24. Are ABLE accounts transferrable?
ABLE accounts are transferrable to siblings who are also eligible individuals. See state plan
disclosure documents for specic details.
25. What are the tax benets of owning an ABLE account?
Earnings on an ABLE account and distributions from the account for QDEs are not counted as
taxable income.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
SSA Program Operations Manual System (POMS):
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0501130740
Use of ABLE Accounts by Representative Payees
https://www.ssa.gov/payee/able_accounts.htm
Representative Payee FAQ’s
https://www.ssa.gov/payee/faqrep.htm
Federal Rule: Final Regulations
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/19/2020-22144/
guidance-under-section-529a-qualied-able-programs
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ABLE Medicaid Director Letter:
https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/smd17002.pdf
To learn more about ABLE accounts, please visit the Internal Revenue Services’ website at
www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/
able-accounts-tax-benet-for-people-with-disabilities.
Please note: Social Security provides this section as a courtesy to help notify you of ABLE
accounts. However, Social Security is not aliated with and does not endorse any ABLE account
provider or its services.
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SPOTLIGHT ON TRUSTS
As of January 1, 2000, the SSI law on trusts changed. This information applies to trusts established on
or after January 1, 2000.
WHAT IS A TRUST?
A trust is a legal arrangement regulated by State law in which one party holds property for the
benet of another. In certain situations, a trust can be set up for an SSI recipient. A trust can contain:
• Cash or other liquid assets; and
• Real or personal property that could be turned into cash.
HOW DOES A TRUST AFFECT MY SSI?
If you use your assets to establish a trust on or after January 1, 2000, generally, the trust will count as
your resource for SSI.
• In the case of a revocable trust, the whole trust is your resource.
• In the case of an irrevocable trust, if there are any circumstances under which payment could be
made to you or for your benet, the portion of the trust from which payment could be made is
your resource.
See the SSI Spotlight on Resources on page 74, for more information about resources and SSI.
WHAT THINGS COUNT AS ASSETS AND ARE USED TO ESTABLISH A TRUST?
Assets usually include your:
• Income (countable and excluded).
• Resources (countable and excluded).
• Property or payments that you have a right to but do not receive.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THE LAW ON TRUSTS?
The law does not apply to the following:
• Trusts under Section 1917(d)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act, which are often called
“special needs trusts”; and
• Trusts under Section 1917(d)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act, which are often called “pooled trusts”.
We will also not count the trust if counting it causes you hardship, and you meet the undue
hardship criteria.
NOTE: Certain revocable trusts under section 1917(d)(4)(A) or (C) of the Social Security Act may still
count as your resource.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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HOW DOES MONEY FROM A TRUST THAT IS NOT MY RESOURCE AFFECT
MY SSI BENEFITS?
• Money paid directly to you from the trust reduces your SSI benet.
• Money paid directly to someone to provide you with food or shelter reduces your SSI benet but
only up to a certain limit. No matter how much money is paid for these items, we subtract no
more than $334.33 (in 2024) from your SSI check for the month you receive the items.
• Money paid directly to someone to provide you with items other than food and shelter does not
reduce your SSI benets. (Items that are not “food or shelter” include medical care, telephone
bills, education, entertainment, etc.)
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SETTING UP A TRUST?
We cannot tell you how to set up a trust. You may consult a lawyer or nancial advisor to nd out
more about trusts.
Your local Social Security oce has a list of groups that can nd you a lawyer or give you free legal
services if you qualify. You may also contact the State or local bar association or the Legal Services
Corporation for legal assistance if you qualify.
NOTE: Some trusts and trust payments that we do not count as your resources or income for SSI
purposes can aect your Medicaid eligibility.
Contact your State if you need more information about how trust and trust payments can aect
Medicaid eligibility.
NOTE: Additional rules apply to trusts established by representative payees. Your representative
payee should contact the local Social Security oce for more information.
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SPOTLIGHT ON DEDICATED ACCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN
WHAT IS A DEDICATED ACCOUNT?
A dedicated account is a separate nancial institution account that the representative payee of a
child with a disability under age 18 is required to open, when the child is eligible for large past-due
payments (usually any payment covering more than six months at the current benet rate).
The past-due payments will be deposited directly into that “dedicated account” and the use of these
funds is restricted.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACCOUNT?
• A dedicated account must be separate from the account used for the regular monthly benet
payment and can only be a checking, savings, or money market account.
• Other funds, except for certain past-due SSI benets, cannot be commingled with the funds in the
dedicated account.
• The account cannot be in the form of certicates of deposit, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, or trusts.
• The title must show the child owns the funds, including interest.
HOW CAN YOU USE THE MONEY IN THE DEDICATED ACCOUNT?
You can use the money only for the following expenses:
• Medical treatment.
• Education.
• Job skills training.
We also allow the following expenses if they benet the child and are related to the child’s impairment:
• Personal needs assistance (for example in-home nursing care).
• Special equipment.
• Housing modication.
• Therapy or rehabilitation.
• Other items or services approved by your local Social Security oce, like legal fees incurred by the
child in establishing a claim for disability benets.
You may not use these monies for basic monthly maintenance costs such as food, clothing, or shelter.
You must use the regular monthly SSI benet for the child’s food, clothing, or shelter.
If there are any questions on use of the funds, contact your local Social Security oce.
HOW WILL SOCIAL SECURITY MONITOR THE DEDICATED ACCOUNT?
Each year, we will require the representative payee to complete a report on the use of the dedicated
account funds as well as the regular monthly benets received on the child’s behalf.
Therefore, it is very important for the representative payee to keep receipts, bank statements, and
maintain an expense record for at least two years as verication of expenditures. The representative
payee should be able to provide Social Security with an explanation of any expenditure and how it
relates to the child’s disability.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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NOTE: If there is a change of representative payee and a dedicated account exists, the former
representative payee must complete a nal accounting of the funds and return the balance of the
account to us. We will then transfer the funds to a new dedicated account opened by the new
representative payee.
Furthermore, after the child turns age 18 and even if they are their own representative payee, the
dedicated account provision still applies to the existing account. Money can only be withdrawn in
accordance with the dedicated account guidelines.
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SPOTLIGHT ON DEEMING PARENTAL INCOME AND RESOURCES
I HAVE A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY UNDER AGE 18 AND I AM WORKING. CAN MY
CHILD QUALIFY FOR SSI?
Possibly. We consider some of your income and resources to be available to your child. They may
aect whether your child can get SSI and how much. The process of determining how much of your
income and resources we will count is called “deeming.”
WHEN DOES DEEMING APPLY?
Deeming applies ifthe parent(s) has income and/or resources that we must consider and the child:
• Is under age 18.
• Lives at home with their parent(s) or adoptive parent(s).
• Lives away at school, but comes home on some weekends, holidays, or school vacations and is
subject to parental control.
DOES DEEMING OF INCOME AND RESOURCES APPLY IF MY SPOUSE IS A
STEPPARENT TO MY CHILD?
Yes. A stepparent’s income and resources count as long as the parent or adoptive parent lives in
the home.
DOES DEEMING COUNT ALL INCOME AND RESOURCES?
We do not deem some types of income and resources.
Examples of income that we do not deem are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, certain
Department of Veterans Aairs’ pensions, general assistance, foster care payments for an ineligible
child, and income used to make court-ordered support payments.
Examples of resources that we do not deem are a home that the beneciary resides in, one vehicle
that is used for transportation, and money in certain retirement or pension funds.
For the types of income and resources that we do use in the deeming process, only a portion is
deemed to the child.
WHEN DOES DEEMING NOT APPLY?
Deeming stops the month after a child turns age 18. Therefore, a child who could not receive SSI
because of deeming may be able to get SSI when they turn age 18.
Deeming does not apply in some other situations.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON REPORTING YOUR EARNINGS TO SOCIAL SECURITY
WHAT ARE EARNINGS?
Earnings for SSI purposes are wages and self-employment income that you get from working.
DO I HAVE TO REPORT MY EARNINGS TO SOCIAL SECURITY?
Yes. If you work and get SSI, then you must report your earnings. If you have a representative payee,
then your representative payee must report your earnings. If you participate in the Ticket to Work
Program, you should also report your earnings to the employment network or State vocational
rehabilitation agency that is helping you reach your work goals.
DO I NEED TO REPORT ANYONE ELSE’S EARNINGS?
Yes. Sometimes you must report someone else’s earnings. Here are a few examples:
• Your spouse lives with you and has earnings.
• A child getting SSI lives with a parent who has earnings.
• You are a noncitizen and have a sponsor and your sponsor (or their spouse) has earnings (even if
your sponsor doesn’t live with you).
WHAT SPECIFIC EARNINGS INFORMATION DO I HAVE TO REPORT?
You need to report the following:
• Monthly gross wages (that is the amount before taxes or other deductions are subtracted).
• If you start or stop working.
• Increases or decreases in your wages or self-employment income.
• If you start or stop a second or third job.
• Work expenses related to your disability.
• if you are blind, any work expenses.
WHAT EARNINGS INFORMATION DOES SOCIAL SECURITY NEED TO SEE?
We need to see:
• Every pay stub, including pay stubs for overtime, vacations, and bonuses.
• If self-employed, copies of your Federal Income Tax Forms Schedule SE, Schedule C, Schedule
C-EZ, or Schedule F.
• Receipts for work expenses related to your disability.
• If you are blind, receipts for any work expense.
• Receipts for expenses paid to reach your Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) work goal.
WHEN DO I REPORT EARNINGS?
When you start or stop work or when there is a change in your earnings, you need to report this
information right away.
This information must be reported no later than the 10
th
day of the month after the month of change.
For example, if you get SSI and start working on May 22, then you must report this information no
later than June 10. You must continually report your earnings by the 10
th
day of the month following
the month of earnings.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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HOW DO I REPORT EARNINGS?
You may call us at 1-800-772-1213. Or you may call, visit, or write your local Social Security oce.
Social Security also oers a toll-free automated wage reporting telephone system and a mobile
wage reporting application. You may also use my Social Security to report wages online. For more
information about these electronic wage reporting methods, please see the Spotlight on Electronic
Wage Reporting Tools on page 91. Ask Social Security how you can report wages using this system
or application.
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SPOTLIGHT ON ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS
WHAT ARE ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS?
Social Security has created several electronic options for wage reporting.
• The SSI Telephone Wage Reporting system;
• The SSA Mobile Wage Reporting application;
• The online tool within the my Social Security portal.
These tools save you time and help you report important wage information to Social Security without
the need for you to call, visit, or write your local Social Security oce.
The SSI Telephone Wage Reporting system is a toll-free automated system that allows certain
recipients, their spouses, parents, and representative payees to report the total gross monthly wages
from pay stubs for the prior month to SSA using the telephone.
The SSA Mobile Wage Reporting application allows certain recipients, their spouses, parents, and
representative payees to report total gross monthly wages from pay stubs for the prior month using a
mobile device. Wage reporters can download and install the free application on an Apple or Android
mobile device.
The my Social Security portal has a convenient online wage reporting tool that is available to use on a
computer or mobile device. This tool allows certain recipients, their spouses, parents, and representative
payees with a my Social Security account to report pay stub information online. Additionally, Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneciaries and their representative payees can use this tool to
report their earnings.
WHO CAN USE ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS?
Only certain individuals can report monthly wages using electronic wage reporting tools, and one
option may be better for you to use than the others depending on your circumstances. Please contact
your local Social Security oce to see which wage reporting option is best for you. If electronic wage
reporting is an option for you, the oce will provide you with instructions for how to report wages
using your preferred method.
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU REPORT WAGES USING THE TELEPHONE REPORTING
SYSTEM OR THE MOBILE APPLICATION
• The Social Security Number of the person who is making the wage report (the caller or mobile
device user).
• The Social Security Number of the wage earner.
• All pay stubs for wages paid in the report month. If you are using the SSI Telephone Wage Reporting
system, you will add up and provide the gross wages received by the wage earner for the month. Gross
wages are the amount of pay before taxes and other deductions. If you are using the SSA Mobile Wage
Reporting application, you will upload an image of each pay stub or key in information from each pay
stub during the mobile reporting process.
• The caller’s or mobile device user’s name as it appears on their Social Security card.
IMPORTANT: If you are using the telephone reporting system, please be sure to call from a quiet
location, since background noise may cause the report to fail.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU REPORT WAGES ONLINE WITH my Social Security
• An active my Social Security account.
• All pay stubs for wages paid in the report month. If the wage earner has multiple employers, you
will need pay stubs from all the employers. You will copy information from each pay stub during
the online reporting process.
WHEN SHOULD YOU REPORT WAGES USING ELECTRONIC WAGE REPORTING TOOLS?
We encourage you to report wages using our electronic wage reporting tools during the rst six days
of the month to help prevent an incorrect SSI payment. You can choose any of the rst six days of the
month to report. If you miss reporting during the six-day reporting period at the beginning of the
month, you can still report the prior month’s gross wages at any time during the month using our
electronic reporting tools or you can report to your local Social Security oce.
Remember, we encourage consistent monthly wage reporting early in the month to help prevent SSI
overpayments and underpayments.
WHO IS THE WAGE EARNER?
A wage earner is the person who is working and receiving wages or payment for working. You are the
wage earner if you are working and you are reporting your own wages. If you are reporting someone
else’s wages, then the wage earner is the person whose wages you are reporting.
IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO REPORT WAGES?
Yes.
If using electronic wage reporting tools is not an option, you should report the following information
to your local Social Security oce:
The total gross monthly wage amount for the prior month.
The name of the wage earner.
The wage earner’s Social Security Number.
The name and Social Security Number of the person who receives SSI.
Report the monthly wage information by:
Sending a fax with the gross wage amount and applicable month.
Mailing a brief letter with the gross wage amount and applicable month.
Calling your local eld oce.
Bringing your pay stubs into your local eld oce.
WAGE REPORTING REMINDER
You can now sign up for email or text reminders to report monthly wages for SSI at
www.ssa.gov/ssiwagereporting on our website.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
SPOTLIGHT ON IMPAIRMENTRELATED WORK EXPENSES
BECAUSE OF MY DISABLING IMPAIRMENT, I HAVE TO PAY FOR CERTAIN ITEMS SO
I CAN WORK. HOW DO THESE EXPENSES AFFECT MY SSI?
In most cases, we can deduct the out-of-pocket costs of these items, which we call impairment-related work
expenses (IRWE), from the amount of earnings we use to gure your SSI payment.
This means that we do not reduce your SSI payment as much because we do not count all of your earnings.
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF IRWE THAT CAN BE DEDUCTED?
If you work, we may deduct your out-of-pocket expenses for items such as medicine, medical
supplies, medical devices, service animals, assistive technology that people with disabilities use
for employment-related purposes; such as software applications, computer support services, and
special tools which have been specically designed to accommodate the person’s impairment, and
disposable items such as bandages and syringes when guring the amount of your earned income.
We may also be able to deduct your out-of-pocket expenses for medical services such as counseling,
doctor’s visits, and some attendant care services charged for preparing you for work, attending to
you while you are at work, or getting you to and from work. We may also deduct certain out-of-
pocket expenses for transportation and modications to your home, car, or van to allow you to work.
The expense must not be reimbursed by any other source, and must be related to your disabling
impairment(s) and needed in order for you to work.
Example: Ellen Jones receives SSI because of a disability. Ellen works and earns $1,025 a month,
which is the only income received. Ellen has the following work expenses:
• Pays $125 a month for union dues and insurance.
• Pays $250 a month to a special transportation service that is needed to get to and from work
because of their disabling impairment.
Although Ellen has work expenses of $375 a month, only the $250 of the earnings which they use
to pay for the special transportation service are related to their impairment and not counted in
determining the amount of their SSI benet as follows:
$ 1,025 - $20 (general exclusion) = $1,005
$ 1,005 - $65 (work exclusion) = $940
$ 940 - $250 (impairment-related work expense) = $690
$ 690 / 2 = $345
$ 345 = countable earnings.
NOTE: Normally, public transportation is not an IRWE.
WHAT IF I NEED THE ITEM OR SERVICE BOTH ON AND OFF THE JOB?
Generally, it does not matter if you also need the item or service for daily living. For example, the
cost of a wheelchair usually can be deducted from the earnings we might count even though the
wheelchair is used for both daily living and work.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER RULES THAT MAY HELP?
A person who has a disability may also use other SSI work incentives, such as a Plan to Achieve
Self-Support (PASS) and continued Medicaid coverage while working.
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SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL SSI RULE FOR BLIND PEOPLE WHO WORK
WHAT IS THE SPECIAL SSI RULE?
There is a special rule to help people who work and receive SSI based on blindness. This rule allows
a blind person to exclude from earned income, all expenses that enable the person to work. The
expense does not need to be related to the blindness.
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF EXPENSES THAT CAN QUALIFY UNDER THE RULE?
Expenses that can qualify include:
• A service animal, including the cost of food and upkeep.
• Transportation to and from work.
• Licenses, fees, or taxes.
• Attendant care services.
• Meals eaten during work hours.
• Medical and non-medical equipment or supplies.
• Other work-related equipment or services.
EXAMPLE: Ray Barnett receives SSI because of blindness. Ray works and earns $805 per month,
which is the only earned income received. They have the following work expenses:
• Employer withholdings of $250 per month for Federal and State income taxes and Social Security
(FICA) taxes.
• Transportation fees of $100 per month for going to and from work.
Ray uses $350 of their earnings to pay for these work expenses. Therefore, $350 of their earnings is
not counted in determining the amount of the SSI benet as follows:
$ 805 - $20 (general exclusion) = $785
$ 785 - $65 (work exclusion) = $720
$ 720 / 2 = $360
$ 360 - $350 (blind work expenses) = $10
$ 10 = countable earnings
ARE THERE ANY OTHER RULES THAT MAY HELP?
A person who is blind may also use other SSI work rules, such as a Plan to Achieve Self-Support and
continued Medicaid coverage while working.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS
WHAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT IDA?
An IDA is a special bank account that helps you save for your education, the purchase of a rst home,
or to start a business.
You use earnings from your work to set up an approved bank account for an IDA.
HOW DOES AN IDA HELP MY MONEY TO GROW?
You contribute money from your earnings from work. With an IDA, your contributions are matched
with money from your State’s TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program or from
special funds called “demonstration project” money. The matching money may help you reach your
goal sooner.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR AN IDA?
• If you are working and receiving TANF payments, you may be eligible for a TANF IDA. (Not every
State currently oers a TANF IDA.)
• If you are working and either receiving TANF or have low income and assets, you may be eligible
for a demonstration project IDA.
HOW WILL A TANF IDA AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IDA AFFECT MY SSI?
Your SSI payment will not go down — it might even go up! This is because the earnings, the matching
money, and the interest that goes into your IDA do not count as your income or resources when we
gure your SSI.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IDAS?
To nd out more about IDAs, including IDA programs in your area, you can visit
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/a or contact your State TANF agency.
SPOTLIGHT ON PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELFSUPPORT
WHAT IS A PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELFSUPPORT PASS?
A PASS is a written plan of action for getting a particular kind of job or starting a business. In it
you identify:
• The job or business (this is your work goal).
• The steps you will take and the things you will need in order to achieve your work goal (for
example: education or training, transportation, childcare, or assistive technology).
• The money you will use to pay for these things (this may be any income – (other than SSI
payments – or assets, such as Social Security benets, wages from a current job, or savings).
• A timetable for achieving your goal.
HOW CAN A PASS HELP ME ACHIEVE MY WORK GOAL?
If SSA approves your PASS, we will not count the money you spend on your plan when we determine
your eligibility for SSI. If you are already eligible for SSI, this will increase your SSI payment, which will
replace all of the money you spend on your PASS.
WHO MAY HAVE A PASS?
You may have a PASS if:
• You would be eligible for SSI based on disability if not for your income and/or assets.
• You are already eligible for SSI and have income that reduces the amount of SSI you receive.
• Using a PASS to reach your employment goal ultimately will help you to reduce or eliminate
benets you receive from SSI, Social Security, or both.
HOW DO I SET UP A PASS?
Anybody may help you write a PASS, including a vocational counselor or a relative. We can also help
you with a PASS or refer you to someone who can help you write a plan.
You can get a copy of the PASS application form SSA-545-BK from your local Social Security oce or
online at ssa.gov/online/ssa-545.html on our website.
You can get a PASS Specialist’s telephone number by calling our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213
between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and asking for a PASS Specialist’s number or
online at www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/passcadre.htm on our website.
You can read our pamphlet entitled
Working While Disabled – A Guide to Plans
for Achieving Self-Support
(SSA Publication No. 05-11017). It is available online at
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11017.pdf on our website. You can also call and ask for it.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER RULES THAT MAY HELP?
Other SSI work rules such as work expense exclusions, the student earned income exclusion, and
continued Medicaid coverage may help an SSI recipient while working.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON PROPERTY ESSENTIAL TO SELFSUPPORT
WHY ARE RESOURCES IMPORTANT FOR SSI?
Resources are things that you own and can turn into cash. To get SSI, things you own that we count
must be worth $2,000 or less for an individual, or $3,000 or less for a couple.
Not all the things you own count as resources for SSI.
It is possible for people who have businesses to get SSI.
DOES PROPERTY ESSENTIAL TO SELFSUPPORT COUNT AS A RESOURCE FOR SSI?
Some property that you own and you use to support yourself never counts as a resource.
For example:
• Property that you own and use in a trade or business, such as a gas station, farm, or beauty parlor;
• Personal property that you use for work, such as tools, uniforms, or safety equipment; or
• Government permits that allow you to do something to produce income, such as permits for
commercial shing.
Some property may count, but often does not, or we may partly exclude it. For example:
• Property you use to produce goods or services that you need in your daily life such as land, or
equipment that you use to grow vegetables or raise livestock that you and your family eat; or
• Non-business property that produces income such as land or real estate or equipment you rent
to someone.
Other things that you own may not count for SSI either.
SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSFERS OF RESOURCES
WHAT ARE RESOURCES?
Resources are cash and things you own and can turn into cash. Examples of resources are bank
accounts, vehicles, property, stocks, and bonds.
WHY ARE RESOURCES IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM?
To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000
for a couple. We call this the resource limit. Read the SSI Spotlight on Resources, page 74, for
information about how we count resources.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TRANSFER RESOURCES?
Transferring a resource is giving away or selling a resource. For example, giving away cash to another
person is a transfer of resources.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SSI IF I TRANSFER A RESOURCE?
If you, your spouse, or a co-owner give away a resource or sell it for less than it is worth, you may be
ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months. How long you are ineligible for SSI depends on the value of the
resource you transferred.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I SELL A RESOURCE?
If you sell a resource for what it is worth, the 36-month ineligibility period does not apply. But the
money you receive from the sale may make you ineligible if it puts you over the $2,000 resource limit
for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I PUT MY RESOURCES INTO A TRUST?
In some cases, we consider putting resources into a trust as a transfer of resources that makes you
ineligible for SSI. In other cases, we count the trust itself as a resource. Moreover, the value of the
trust could put you over the resource limit. See the SSI Spotlight on Trusts on page 84 for more
information on how trusts aect SSI eligibility.
HOW DOES TRANSFERRING A RESOURCE AFFECT MEDICAID COVERAGE?
Medicaid may not pay for certain health care costs if you or your spouse gives away a resource or
sell it for less than it is worth. If you have any questions about how transferring a resource aects
Medicaid coverage, please contact the welfare or social services agency that handles Medicaid in your
area. They can answer your questions about how transferring resources aects Medicaid.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION
WHAT IS THE STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION?
This provision allows a person who is under age 22 and regularly attending school to exclude
earnings from income.
• In January 2023 the amount we will exclude is $2,220 monthly up to a yearly maximum of $8,230.
• In January 2024 the amount we will exclude is $2,290 monthly up to a yearly maximum of $9,230.
We usually adjust the monthly amount and the yearly limit annually, based on any increases in the
cost-of-living index. We apply this exclusion before any other exclusion.
WHAT DOES “REGULARLY ATTENDING SCHOOL” MEAN?
“Regularly attending school” means that the person takes one or more courses of study and
attends classes:
• In a college or university for at least 8 hours a week under a semester or quarter system.
• In grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week.
• In a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours a week (15 hours a week if the
course involves shop practice).
• In a home school situation (grades 7-12), for at least 12 hours per week and in accordance with the
home school law of the State or jurisdiction in which the student resides.
• For less time than indicated above for reasons beyond the student’s control, such as illness.
A person who is homebound because of a disability may be a student when they:
• Study a course or courses given by a school (grades 7-12), college, university, or government
agency; and
• Has a home visitor or tutor from the school who directs the studying or training.
EXAMPLE: Jim is a student who earns $2,290 a month in June, July and August of 2023. In
September, they return to school and continue working part-time. Jim earns $900 a month in
September through December 2023.
Using the student earned income exclusion, Jim can exclude $2,290 of their earnings each month
in June, July, and August, and can exclude all of their $900 earnings in September and October
($900 x 2 = $1,800). Through October, Jim will use up $8,670 of the $9,230 yearly limit. Excluding $560
from November earnings will use up the yearly limit. The remaining wages, after deducting monthly
and yearly limits, will still be subject to the earned income exclusion of $65 per month and one-half of
the remaining earned income.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER RULES THAT MAY HELP?
Other SSI work incentives such as Plan to Achieve Self-Support, work expense exclusions, and
continued Medicaid coverage may help an SSI recipient while working.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL TO
MEDICAL EXAMS OR TESTS
WHEN YOU APPLY FOR DISABILITY AND WE ASK YOU TO GO TO A MEDICAL EXAM
OR TEST, CAN WE PAY YOUR TRAVEL COSTS?
We may be able to pay your travel costs to and from this appointment. We do this through your State
Disability Determination Services (DDS). The DDS makes the disability or blindness decision, therefore
they make any arrangements for medical exams or tests and they pay any related costs.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET TRAVEL COSTS PAID?
The DDS will send you a letter about the medical exam or test. This letter will tell you what you do
after the exam so that your travel costs may be paid.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PROBLEM OR NEED SOME TRAVEL MONEY BEFORE
YOU GO TO THE EXAM OR TEST?
Call or write the DDS person who sent you the letter about the medical exam or test. Explain what
your special problem is or why you need money before the exam or test. For example, if you do not
have a car, you may need to pay someone to drive you.
HOW DO YOU GET THE MONEY?
After the exam or test, you will need to ll out a form showing your travel costs. The DDS may be able
to pay you the money based on the information on this form. They may also request receipts from
the transportation provider. If you were paid before the exam or test and the money did not cover
your travel costs, the DDS will pay you the rest of the money. If you were paid more money before the
exam or test than you spent on travel, you must repay the extra money.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO HELP YOU GET TO AN EXAM
OR TEST?
Call or write the DDS person who sent you the letter about the exam or test. Explain why you need
someone to help you. The DDS may be able to pay someone to go with you.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON GETTING SSI BENEFITS WHILE YOU TRY TO SELL
EXCESS RESOURCES
CAN I GET SSI IF I HAVE EXCESS RESOURCES?
To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000
for a couple. However, you may be able to get conditional payments if you agree to sell some of your
countable resources.
WHAT KIND OF THINGS CAN I SELL?
You can sell the following types of things:
• Real property, such as land or a house that you don’t live in.
• Personal property, such as non-excluded vehicles (for example, a second car).
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
• While you are trying to sell real property, you can receive SSI benets for up to nine months under
certain conditions.
• While you are trying to sell personal property, you can receive SSI for up to three months.
• We may pay you even longer if you meet certain conditions.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
• Your conditional benets cannot begin until after you sign the “agreement to sell property” form
and we accept the agreement. You also have to demonstrate that you are diligently pursuing the
sale of the property.
• The agreement form is available at your local Social Security oce. Ask us for more details.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SELL MY REAL AND/OR PERSONAL PROPERTY?
• You will have to pay back some or all of the SSI payments you received while trying to sell
the property.
• You may continue to get SSI. Contact your local Social Security oce to nd out if your SSI will
continue after the sale.
SPOTLIGHT ON CONTINUED SSI BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE
TEMPORARILY INSTITUTIONALIZED
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SSI BENEFITS IF I GO INTO A NURSING HOME OR HOSPITAL?
Generally, if you enter a nursing home or hospital (or other medical facility) where Medicaid pays for
more than half of the cost of your care, your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment is limited to
$30 a month. And, in some medical connement situations, you may not even be eligible for SSI.
HOWEVER, DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE
YOUR FULL BENEFIT WHILE INSTITUTIONALIZED?
That is right, we have a special rule for people receiving SSI who will be in a medical facility for 90
days or less, which allows them to receive their full payment (including State Supplementation)—and
all it takes to determine if you qualify is the following key pieces of information.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
Form SSA-186,
Temporary Institutionalization Statement to Maintain Household and Physician
Certicatio
n, is the principal way to establish TI benets for a recipient. The form allows you to
allege a statement of need to maintain your home or living arrangements and obtain the physician’s
certication within one document. We need you or someone close to you (i.e., representative payee,
family member, or friend) knowledgeable about your circumstances to report to SSA via form
SSA-186, a statement in writing, telephone or in-person that:
• you entered a medical facility and will be there for 90 consecutive days or less, and
• while you are in the facility you need your SSI benets to maintain your home or living
arrangement where you may return upon discharge.
In order to determine if you qualify, we also need a signed statement from your physician indicating
whether the physician expects your medical connement to last less than 90 full consecutive days,
beginning with the day after you entered the institution. This physician can complete the statement
by lling out their section of SSA-186
Temporary Institutionalization Statement to Maintain
Household and Physician Certication
or submit a signed statement from the doctor providing the
necessary information. We need these statements before your discharge date or by the 90th day,
whichever is earlier. It is important for you to report this information timely in order to receive
temporary institutionalization benets.
ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS OBTAINING THE ABOVE INFORMATION? WE CAN HELP!
If you need assistance completing the above requirements, or obtaining the proper documentation,
please contact a representative at your local SSA oce for help or contact SSA customer service at
1-800-772-1213. We can also work directly with admissions oces so that we can obtain the
information we need quickly.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE PRERELEASE PROCEDURE
IS THERE A WAY TO APPLY FOR SSI BEFORE MY ANTICIPATED RELEASE FROM
AN INSTITUTION?
The prerelease procedure allows you to apply for SSI and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) benets (formerly food stamps) several months before your anticipated release from an
institution so that benets can begin quickly after your release. We do not pay you SSI benets when
you reside in a public institution.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PRERELEASE PROCEDURE?
We will process an application for you under the prerelease procedure if you:
• Are in an institution (for example hospital, nursing home, prison, or jail).
• Appear likely to meet the criteria for SSI eligibility when you are released from the institution.
• Are scheduled to be released within several months of the date you le your application for SSI.
HOW DOES THE PRERELEASE PROCEDURE WORK?
There may be a prerelease agreement in eect between the institution and your local Social Security
oce. However, you may le an application for SSI under the prerelease procedure even if there is no
agreement in eect.
A prerelease agreement may be formal (a written agreement signed by both parties) or informal.
Under the agreement, Social Security helps the institution’s sta learn the prerelease procedure and
provides them with a Social Security contact to assist with the prerelease procedure.
THE INSTITUTION AGREES TO:
• Notify us if you appear likely to meet the criteria for SSI and you could be released within 30 days
after notication of potential SSI eligibility.
• Provide current medical evidence and nonmedical information needed to process your claim.
• Provide your anticipated release date and notify us of any delays that may result in a later
release date.
• Notify us when you are released.
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREES TO:
• Process your claim or reinstatement as quickly as possible.
• With your permission, notify the institution of the SSI determination promptly.
NOTE: If you are eligible for Medicare, ask Social Security about a Special Enrollment Period for
formerly incarcerated individuals.
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL SSI RULES FOR CHILDREN OF MILITARY
PERSONNEL LIVING OVERSEAS
CHILDREN OF MILITARY PERSONNEL
Most people who get SSI and leave the U.S. for 30 days or more are no longer eligible for SSI.
However, there is a special rule for the children of military personnel. A child may continue to get
benets or apply for benets while overseas if the child:
• Is a citizen of the U.S.
• Is living with a parent who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to permanent duty
ashore anywhere outside the U.S.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
If your child is receiving SSI and you receive military orders to move overseas, contact your local
Social Security oce or call 1-800-772-1213 before you leave the U.S. You must be able to tell us:
• When you expect to report to your duty station overseas.
• When you expect your child to join you.
• Your mailing address at your new duty station.
• Any information you have about military allowances (for example housing allowances, rations
allowances, etc.) at your new duty station.
If you are a member of the United States Armed Forces who is already stationed overseas and think
your child may be eligible for SSI benets, contact the U.S. Embassy, the nearest U.S. Consular Oce,
or write to:
Social Security Administration
Attn: SSI Military Children Overseas Coordinator
217 Glenn Street, Suite 100
Cumberland, MD 21502
When you contact us, be sure to give us your current address, telephone number, your child’s name
and Social Security Number.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHILDREN RECEIVING
SSI OVERSEAS?
You should report any change in income, resources, or address for a parent or child in the household
to us within 10 days after the end of the month in which it occurs. Also, remember to report:
• If your child who receives SSI moves.
• If other people move into or out of your home.
• If you leave the U.S. Armed Forces and remain overseas.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
SPOTLIGHT ON SSI BENEFITS FOR YOUTH WHO ARE BLIND OR
HAVE DISABILITIES IN FOSTER CARE
IS THERE A WAY TO APPLY FOR SSI BEFORE MY ANTICIPATED RELEASE FROM
FOSTER CARE?
Youth who are blind or have qualifying disabilities receiving Title IV-E federal foster care benets
usually cannot become eligible for SSI until foster care payments have stopped. Eligibility for foster
care payments in most States ends at age 18 attainment. SSA may accept an SSI application from a
youth up to 180 days before their foster care eligibility will end.
What are the requirements for filing an SSI application?
Youth with disabilities transitioning out of foster care may le an SSI application if they:
• Live in a foster care situation.
• Allege blindness or disability.
• Appear likely to meet all of the non-medical eligibility requirements when foster care
payments terminate.
• Expect the foster care payments to cease within 180 days of the application ling date.
• Are within 180 days of losing foster care eligibility.
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SPOTLIGHT ON SSI BENEFITS FOR NONCITIZENS
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES MAY A NONCITIZEN BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
A noncitizen (also called an “alien” for immigration purposes) may be eligible for SSI if they meet the
requirements of the laws for noncitizens that went into eect on August 22, 1996. In general, beginning
August 22, 1996, most noncitizens must meet two requirements to be potentially eligible for SSI:
1. Be in a “qualied alien” category.
2. Meet a condition that allows qualied aliens to get SSI.
IMPORTANT: A noncitizen must also meet all of the other rules for SSI eligibility, including the limits
on income and resources, etc.
WHO IS A “QUALIFIED ALIEN”?
There are seven categories of qualied aliens. You are a “qualied alien” if the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) says you are in one of these categories:
1. Lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LAPR) in the U.S., which includes “Amerasian
immigrant” as dened in P.L. 100-202, with a class of admission AM-1 through AM-8.
2. Granted conditional entry under section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as
in eect before April 1, 1980.
3. Paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of the INA for a period of at least 1 year.
4. Refugee admitted to the U.S. under section 207 of the INA.
5. Granted asylum under section 208 of the INA.
6. Deportation is being withheld under section 243(h) of the INA, as in eect before April 1, 1997; or
removal is being withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA.
7. A “Cuban or Haitian entrant” as dened in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act
of 1980 or in a status that is to be treated as a “Cuban/Haitian Entrant” for SSI purposes.
In addition, you can be a “deemed qualied alien” if, under certain circumstances, you, your child, or your
parent were subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by a family member while in the United States.
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS MAY A “QUALIFIED ALIEN” BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI?
If you are in one of the seven “qualied alien” categories listed above, you may be eligible for SSI if
you also meet one of the following conditions:
1. You were receiving SSI and lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996.
2. You are a LAPR with 40 qualifying quarters of work.
• Work done by your spouse or parent may also count toward the 40 quarters of work, but only
for getting SSI.
• Quarters of work earned after December 31, 1996, cannot be counted if you, your spouse, or
your parent who worked, received certain benets from the Unites States government, based
on limited income and resources during that period.
IMPORTANT: If you entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, then you may not be
eligible for SSI for the rst ve years as a LAPR even if you have 40 qualifying quarters of coverage.
3. You are currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or you are an honorably discharged
veteran and your discharge is not because you are a noncitizen. This condition may also apply if
you are the spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent child of certain U.S. military personnel.
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4. You were lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996 and you are blind or have a
qualifying disability.
5. You may receive SSI for a maximum of seven years from the date DHS granted you immigration
status in one of the following categories, and the status was granted within seven years of ling
for SSI:
• Refugee under section 207 of the INA.
• Asylee under section 208 of the INA.
• Noncitizen whose deportation was withheld under section 243(h) of the INA or whose
removal is withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA.
• “Cuban or Haitian entrant” under section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of
1980 or in a status that is to be treated as a “Cuban or Haitian entrant” for SSI purposes.
• “Amerasian immigrant” pursuant to P.L. 100-202, with a class of admission of AM-1 through AM-8.
NOTE: For purposes of SSI eligibility, individuals are not considered qualied aliens if they were
admitted to the U.S. under the provisions of the Victims of Tracking and Violence Protection Act of
2000. Their eligibility is subject to the proper certication in such status by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services and possession of a valid “T” non-immigrant visa. Once the noncitizen
obtains proper certication and is in possession of a “T” non-immigrant visa, they become potentially
eligible for SSI.
EXEMPTION FROM THE AUGUST 22, 1996 LAWS FOR CERTAIN
NONCITIZEN INDIANS
Certain categories of noncitizens may be eligible for SSI and are not subject to the August 22, 1996
law. These categories include:
• American Indians born in Canada who were admitted in the U.S. under section 289 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act; or
• Noncitizen members of a Federally recognized Indian tribe under section 4(e) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE NONCITIZEN CATEGORIES
Victims of Severe Forms of Human Tracking: You may be eligible for SSI under certain
circumstances if the Department of Health and Human Services’ Oce of Refugee Resettlement and
the Department of Homeland Security determine that you meet the requirements of the Tracking
Victims Protection Act of 2000.
Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants: If you are an Iraqi or Afghan national who was admitted
to the U.S. as a special immigrant, you may qualify for seven years of SSI benets if you served as a
translator or interpreter for the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan or if you worked for the U.S.
government in Iraq.
Afghan humanitarian parolee or Afghan Non-Special Immigrant Parolee: You may qualify for SSI
if you are an Afghan humanitarian parolee or Afghan non-special immigrant parolee. On September
30, 2021, Congress passed the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-
43) and Section 2502 of this legislation provides that Afghan humanitarian parolees, known as Non-
Special Immigrant Parolees, may qualify for SSI until March 31, 2023, or until the end of their parole
period, whichever is later.
Ukrainian humanitarian parolee: You may qualify for SSI if you are a Ukraine humanitarian parolee and
were paroled between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 (or paroled after September 30, 2023 if
you are the spouse or child of such an individual), you may qualify for SSI until the end of your parole period.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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WE NEED PROOF OF YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS
If you apply for SSI, you must give us proof of your immigration status, such as a current DHS
admission/departure Form I-94, Form I-551, or an order from an immigration judge showing
withholding of removal or granting asylum.
If you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may also need to give us proof of military service
such as U.S. military discharge papers (DD Form 214) showing an honorable discharge.
Your local Social Security oce can tell you what other types of evidence you can submit to prove
your noncitizen status.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE A SPONSOR?
When you entered the U.S., you may have had someone sign an agreement with DHS to provide
support for you. We call this agreement an adavit of support, and we call the person who signed
it your sponsor. If you have a sponsor, we generally will count their (and their spouse’s) income
and resources as your income and resources. Your local Social Security oce can give you more
information about these rules and how they apply in your case.
BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN
You can get more information about becoming a U.S. citizen by writing or visiting the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov or calling 1-800-870-3676 to get an application
package for naturalization (DHS Form N-400).
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
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SPOTLIGHT ON CONTINUED MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PEOPLE
WHO WORK: SECTION 1619b
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY MEDICAID IF I GO TO WORK?
In most cases, if you are blind or have a qualifying disability, regardless of age, and you have Medicaid
before you go to work, your Medicaid will continue while you are working as long as your disabling
condition still exists.
IF MY SSI STOPS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF MY EARNINGS, CAN I STILL KEEP
MY MEDICAID?
In most cases, you can keep your Medicaid even if you earn too much to receive a monthly SSI
payment as long as:
• You are still blind or have a disability.
• You meet all the SSI eligibility requirements except for the amount of your earnings.
• You were eligible to receive a regular SSI cash payment for at least one month before you became
eligible under section 1619 of the Social Security Act.
• You were eligible for Medicaid coverage in the month before you became eligible under
section 1619.
• You need continued Medicaid in order to work.
• Your earnings would not replace the value of your SSI cash benets, your Medicaid
benets, and any publicly funded personal or attendant care you receive that would be
lost due to your earnings. The amount you can earn and still receive Medicaid varies from
State to State. To see the amount for your State, call our toll free number or you can visit
www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/1619b.htm on our website.
If your earnings are higher than this amount, but you have special work expenses or medical
expenses, you may still qualify for continued Medicaid. See www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html for
more information about individualized thresholds.
110
SPOTLIGHT ON INTERPRETER SERVICES
WHAT IF I NEED AN INTERPRETER?
SSA is committed to providing access to the programs we administer regardless of an individual’s
ability to communicate with us in English.
We will provide you with an interpreter free of charge if you request language assistance or when it is
evident that such assistance is necessary to ensure that you are not disadvantaged.
You are not required to provide your own interpreter. If you prefer to use your own interpreter, we will
determine whether the interpreter meets our requirements.
For in-oce interviews, we use the interpreter poster (see below), which explains our interpreter
policy in many languages and may be helpful in identifying the individual’s preferred language.
You can visit our multi-language website at www.ssa.gov/multilanguage for public information
materials translated into several languages.
If You Need An Interpreter
We provide free interpreter services to help you
conduct your Social Security business. These
interpreter services are available whether you
talk to us by phone or in the Social Security
oce.
Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
If you speak Spanish press 2. For all other
languages, press 1 and stay on the line until a
representative answers. An interpreter will be
contacted to help with your call.
If your business cannot be completed by phone,
we will make an appointment for you at a local
Social Security oce and arrange for an
interpreter to be available at the time of
your visit.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
111
WHO CAN PROVIDE INTERPRETER SERVICES?
We will not use minors as interpreters in dealing with complex or sensitive matters, unless it is clear
that they also meet the requirements of a qualied interpreter. We require that your interpreter be an
individual who:
• Is able to read and speak uently in English and your language or dialect.
• Agrees to comply with our disclosure/condentiality of information requirements.
• Agrees to provide an accurate interpretation of questions and responses by both you and the
Social Security interviewer; that is does not self-initiate follow-up questions or infer facts or dates
not provided by you or the Social Security interviewer.
• Demonstrates familiarity with basic terminology used in our materials and interviews.
• Has no personal stake in the outcome of the case that would create a conict of interest.
WHAT IF SOCIAL SECURITY BELIEVES THAT THE INTERPRETER IS NOT QUALIFIED?
If we believe that your interpreter is not qualied, we will:
• Explain to you that we will provide free interpreter service to ensure you are not disadvantaged.
• Oer to continue the interview, but only with the additional assistance of an interpreter Social
Security provides.
If the services of a telephone interpreter would be suitable, we will call a telephone interpreter service
before we continue the interview.
If the services of a qualied in-oce interpreter are necessary, we will:
• Stop the interview.
• Reschedule the appointment when we can provide a reliable interpreter.
• Document the le giving the reason we stopped the interview.
• Protect your ling date, if necessary.
112
SPOTLIGHT ON INCOME FROM THE ARTS
I AM AN ARTIST WHO GETS SSI. HOW DOES THE MONEY I RECEIVE FOR MY
ARTWORK COUNT WHEN YOU FIGURE MY SSI?
It depends on the nature of your work in the arts. If you work as someone’s employee to produce
artwork, the money counts as wages. If you have a small business, the money counts as earnings from
self-employment. If you are neither employed nor self-employed as an artist, money you get for your
artwork counts as unearned income in the month you get it. (It is called “unearned” income, because
you don’t get the money from employment or self-employment.)
Although we may need to reduce your SSI when you receive other income, we don’t count all of your
income. So, often you end up with more money.
HOW DO WAGES AFFECT MY SSI?
When you have wages, we look at your gross monthly amount. From that amount:
• We subtract the rst $65.
• We then subtract one-half of what’s left.
Other deductions may also apply:
• If your earnings are the only income you have (other than SSI), we subtract $20 per month from
your earnings.
• If you are a student under the age of 22, we usually can subtract more of your earnings, subject to
monthly and annual limits.
• If you have a disability but are not blind, we subtract expenses you have because of your disability
that enable you to work (wheelchair, prosthesis, medicines, etc.).
• If you are blind, we subtract all of your work expenses (taxes, lunches, transportation, etc.).
• If you have an approved Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), we subtract any of your income that
goes to meet your approved work goal.
After subtracting these amounts, the remaining wages will reduce your SSI. But since we always count
less than half of your wages, you end up with more money.
HOW DO EARNINGS FROM SELFEMPLOYMENT AFFECT MY SSI?
You deduct your business expenses on Schedule C of your Federal income tax return. You then
calculate your “net earnings from self-employment” on Schedule SE. We divide those net earnings
equally among the months in your taxable year. For each month, we subtract the same deductions
that apply to wages. The remaining amount of your net earnings reduces your SSI. But since we
always count less than half of your net earnings, you end up with more money.
IF I START MAKING TOO MUCH FROM MY ARTWORK TO CONTINUE GETTING SSI,
WILL I LOSE MY MEDICAID COVERAGE?
Not necessarily. If your art income is from wages or self-employment, your Medicaid coverage usually
continues for as long as you are unable to aord similar coverage. Also, if your earnings later drop,
you may be able to get SSI again without ling a new application.
113
HOW DOES UNEARNED INCOME AFFECT MY SSI?
We look at the gross amount you received. We then subtract any costs you had in producing the
income (art supplies, paper, etc.). We call these costs your “expenses of obtaining income.” We also
deduct $20 from your total income each month. The remaining income reduces your SSI.
Most of the deductions listed above that apply to wages and earnings from self-employment don’t
apply to unearned income. So usually, unearned income causes a bigger reduction in your SSI. But
most of the time, you still end up with more money.
DOES AN AWARD I GET FOR ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AFFECT MY SSI?
Under the law, awards of any kind are unearned income in the month you get them. If you spend the
money in the month you get it, then your SSI usually is aected only in that month. But any money
you keep after the month you get it counts as a “resource” for SSI purposes as long as you have it. The
SSI limit on resources is $2,000 ($3,000 if you have a spouse). If your resources exceed the limit at the
beginning of any month, you are not eligible for SSI.
DO APPRENTICESHIP GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIP GRANTS AFFECT MY SSI?
Grants you receive for study don’t count against your SSI as long as the money is used for tuition,
fees, and necessary educational expenses. But any of the money you use for something else,
including your food and shelter, counts as your unearned income in the month you received the
money. Grants, scholarships, and educational gifts received after June 1, 2004, will not count as a
resource for 9 months after you receive them.
Certain money you receive under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or from the Bureau of
Indian Aairs is excluded from income and resources regardless of how you use it.
If you receive a grant to help train an artist, and training artists is part of your business as a
self-employed person, then the grant counts as part of your earnings from self-employment.
Otherwise, the money (less any necessary expenses) counts as your unearned income in the month
you receive it.
DO THE SUPPLIES AND OTHER PROPERTY I NEED TO PRODUCE MY ARTWORK
COUNT AS A RESOURCE?
Probably not. In most cases, property that you use to help support yourself does not count, subject to
certain limits. We call it “property essential to self-support.”
HOW CAN I AVOID BEING OVERPAID BY SSI WHEN I MAKE MONEY FROM MY
ARTWORK OR GET AN AWARD OR STUDY GRANT?
The best way to avoid being overpaid is to talk to us as soon as you know you may receive the
money. We can explain to you how the rules work and how to prevent or minimize the amount of an
overpayment. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213.
You must tell us right away whenever your income changes. If you don’t, we may pay you too much
SSI, and you may have to pay it back.
Remember to keep track of your expenses when you produce your art. If we don’t know about your
expenses, we can’t deduct them from your income.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
114
CAN SOCIAL SECURITY HELP ME DEVELOP MY ABILITY TO MAKE MONEY FROM
MY ARTWORK?
Unfortunately, we can’t give you grants or loans for training or supplies. But, if you already have some
income in addition to your SSI, we may be able to give you more SSI if you use your other income to
develop as an artist or to start a business. See the SSI Spotlight on Plan to Achieve Self-Support
page 96.
ARE THERE OTHER SSI SPOTLIGHTS THAT I SHOULD READ?
Yes. These SSI Spotlights discuss several of the topics mentioned in this spotlight:
• Spotlight on Resources, page 74.
• Spotlight on Impairment-Related Work Expenses, page 93.
• Spotlight on Special SSI Rule for Blind People Who Work, page 94.
• Spotlight on Plans to Achieve Self-Support, page 96.
• Spotlight on Property Essential to Self-Support, page 97.
• Spotlight on Student Earned Income Exclusion, page 99.
• Spotlight on Continued Medicaid Eligibility for People Who Work: Section 1619(b), page 109.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
115
SPOTLIGHT ON HOMELESSNESS
WHAT IF I AM HOMELESS?
If you are homeless, you have the same rights and privileges in applying for benets as someone who
is not homeless.
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI BENEFITS IF
I AM HOMELESS?
If you are homeless, here are some of the ways you can receive your benets. You may:
• Have your benets deposited directly into your personal bank account.
• Have your benets mailed to a third party.
• Assign a relative or other third party as your representative payee.
• Have your benets directed to a Direct Express® debit bank card.
DOES LIVING IN AN INSTITUTION AFFECT MY SSI BENEFITS?
Yes. Living in a shelter, medical treatment facility, or a correctional facility may aect your SSI. Living
in a public institution may make you ineligible for benets.
For further information about institutionalization, please refer to the Spotlights on Living
Arrangements on page 73, Continued Benets for Persons who are Temporarily Institutionalized
on page 102, and Prerelease Procedure on page 103. Also see information on the Representative
Payee program on page 64.
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HELP FOR THE HOMELESS
Social Security is an active participant in the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
(USICH). The mission of the USICH is to “coordinate the Federal response to homelessness and to
create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce
and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the eectiveness of the Federal Government
in contributing to the end of homelessness.” Please visit Social Security’s Homelessness website at
www.ssa.gov/homelessness for more information.
The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a national program funded by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), designed to increase
access to the disability income benet programs administered by SSA for eligible adults who are
experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or
a co-occurring substance use disorder. Please visit SOAR’s website at https://soarworks.prainc.com
for more information.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
116
SPOTLIGHT ON WINDFALL OFFSET
WHAT IS WINDFALL OFFSET?
If you are eligible for retroactive SSI and Social Security benets for the same month, we cannot pay
you the full amount of both benets for that month. We call this windfall oset.
HOW WILL WINDFALL OFFSET AFFECT MY BENEFIT AMOUNT?
We will reduce your retroactive Social Security benets if you are eligible for Social Security and SSI
benets for the same months. We reduce your Social Security benets by the amount of SSI you
would not have received if we had paid you Social Security benets when they were due.
Most cases with windfall oset can be processed quickly. However, in some complicated situations,
calculating the windfall oset may cause a delay in getting your retroactive benets paid to you.
WHEN IS WINDFALL OFFSET APPLIED?
Windfall oset applies when:
• You are eligible for both Social Security and SSI benets for the same month.
• You are eligible for retroactive Social Security benets.
• Your SSI benets would have been less if we paid you Social Security benets when they
were due.
WHAT IS THE WINDFALL OFFSET PERIOD?
The windfall oset period begins in the month that you become eligible for both retroactive
Social Security and SSI benets. The oset period ends when we start paying you monthly
Social Security benets.
IF I RECEIVE ONLY SSI BENEFITS, DOES WINDFALL OFFSET APPLY TO ME?
No. Windfall oset applies only when you are eligible to receive both Social Security and SSI
retroactive benets for the same months.
WHAT TYPES OF BENEFITS ARE SUBJECT TO WINDFALL OFFSET?
The windfall oset applies only to Social Security benets and SSI benets.
• Social Security is a program for individuals who work and pay Social Security taxes and for their
dependents. Social Security pays retirement, survivors, and disability benets.
• SSI is a program for individuals who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability
and have limited income and resources. Your SSI payment amount is based on the SSI Federal
benet rate.
THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 18007721213 TTY 18003250778;
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ssa.gov ON THE INTERNET, OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
117
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ONETHIRD REDUCTION PROVISION
WILL THE ONETHIRD REDUCTION PROVISION AFFECT MY SSI PAYMENT?
We may reduce your SSI payment by one-third if you live in another person’s household throughout a
month and you do not pay for the food and shelter you get from the household.
EXAMPLESSI reduced by one-third: On January 1, 2024, Mary Johnson moved in with their
adult child and grandchildren and received both food and shelter from within the household.
Mary did not help pay the household expenses. Because Mary received food and shelter from
their adult child, we would reduce the monthly SSI payments by one-third. If Mary does not have
any other countable income, the SSI payment would be reduced to $628.67.
WHEN DOES THE VALUE OF THE ONETHIRD REDUCTION NOT APPLY?
; The one-third reduction does not apply if you live in another person’s household but you
pay your share of the expenses for food and shelter.
EXAMPLE—One-Third Reduction No Longer Applies: Mary Johnson noties Social Security
that they started paying their adult child for their share of the household expense for food and
shelter as of February 1, 2024. There are ve people in this household: Mary, their adult child,
their child’s spouse, and two children. The household expenses for food, rent, and utilities are
$1,500 per month. Mary pays the adult child $300 per month, which is her pro rata share. Based
on Mary paying their pro rata share and not having any other countable income, we would
stop reducing the SSI payments by one-third and begin paying the full SSI amount of $943 per
month.
; The one-third reduction also does not apply if you live in your own home or apartment
and you pay for your own food and shelter expenses.
EXAMPLE—One-Third Reduction No Longer Applies: Mary contacts Social Security to
report that they have moved into their own apartment on March 10, 2024. Based on Mary living
in their own household and paying for their own food and shelter costs, the one-third reduction
does not apply. If they do not have any other countable income, Mary is due the full monthly SSI
payment amount of $943.
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT MY SSI PAYMENTS ARE CORRECT?
You must report changes to your living arrangements within 10 days after a change occurs. Some of
the changes that can aect your SSI payment include:
• Moving to a new address.
• Contributing more money to the household for your food and shelter.
• A change in how many persons live in your household.
• Separately purchasing your own food.
Social Security Administration | Office of Disability and Income Security Programs
Publication No. 17-008
April 2024 (Recycle prior editions)
Understanding Supplemental Security Income – 2024 Edition
Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense
