Social Security to Expand SSI Rental Subsidy Policy – Agency Continues to Remove Barriers to Accessing SSI Payments
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 18, 2024
Last Thursday, the Social Security Administration published a final rule, “Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applicants and Recipients.” This rule provides the second of several updates to the agency’s SSI regulations that will help people receiving and applying for SSI.
“Our mission is to continue to help people access crucial benefits, including SSI,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.
“Simplifying and expanding our rental subsidy policy nationwide is another common-sense solution that will improve program equality and will reduce agency time spent calculating and administering rental subsidy.”
SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, and to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits can help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.
Under the final rule, beginning September 30, 2024, the agency will expand its SSI rental subsidy policy, which due to judicial decisions is currently only in place for SSI applicants and recipients residing in 7 states (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin). In those states, rental assistance, such as renting at a discounted rate, was less likely to affect a person’s SSI eligibility or payment amount. This new rule extends the same advantageous policy to all SSI applicants and recipients nationwide. This may increase the payment amount some people are eligible to receive and will allow more people to qualify for critical SSI payments.
The agency continuously examines programmatic policies and makes regulatory and sub-regulatory changes as appropriate. Look for more announcements in the coming weeks.
For more information on the SSI program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | SSA.
To read the final rule “Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applicants and Recipients,” visit Federal Register: Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applicants and Recipients.
The final rule expanding the rental subsidy policy is another announcement that removes barriers to accessing SSI payments. Learn about “Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations.”
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Teresa M.
You make this sound like rainbows and lollipops but you are actually penalizing recipients of SSI for using resources you recommend! If I get an HCV from housing are you going to count that as money decreasing my SSI benefits by a third? Really! 1 step forward, 2 steps back! IF I’m living with my mom, trying to get out on my own, you consider that an ISM and reduce my SSI benefits again..or live with a significant other and another ISM to reduce my SSI again! I hear a whole Lotta money being taken, none being given..so I hate the SOAR & ISM bc it may help you GET benefits but it’s taking away more than giving..bad! Just keep us all at poverty level so we can never get anywhere in life and just die and go away!
Nsimba s.
Hotel Stockton CA on San Joaquin public guardian cash transaction ledger pay/ payee reason use have housing susizbity voucher program Alameda county moved Turlock with transfer voucher has been stopped previous rent hotel Stockton CA rent 1000 months assistance months 291 filling out application apartment complex condo duplex condo the age 52 yrs old as of present still in hotel
MONIQUE M.
Will there be a rental assistance program for disability recipients in the state of NJ?
S.S.
Hi Monique. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You may be able to receive rental assistance from the state in which you live. To learn about other benefits programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), check out our recent blog: How Connecting to Benefits Programs Can Save You Money. We hope this helps.
Billy C.
I’m living on the streets in the State of Maine because I only get $801.00 S.S.D.I. & for what ever reason the Housing Voucher program has been stopped , & Rent up here runs from $1000.00 to $2500.00 a month .
I need help , & all I do is fill out more & more applications & I’m still living on the street at the age of 63yrs old as of the 17th of this month , Please Help me , Winter is upon us , & I don’t want to be out in it here in the State of Maine.