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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Kathy M.
I really can’t believe there taking people checks away how are us poor people going to make it we depend on those checks . everyone will be moving to the streets because they can’t make there bills.we will be digging in the trash while everyone else with money is eating steaks is that fair?
Jeremy A.
How can I get help with rent…And I’m on ssi
Timothy S.
Need help my rent on ssi
S.D.
Hi, Timothy. 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 services in your community and to find out if you are eligible, you can contact your state or local social services agency or welfare office. For other resources, including BenefitsCheckUp, you may want to read our blog, How Connecting to Benefits Programs Can Save You Money. We hope this helps.
Gerry
Geez l am begging l need a place to live anywhere l have pancreatitis an living on the street sucks HELP 623-225-3735
S.D.
We are sorry to hear about your situation, Gerry. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services may include housing, Medicaid, free meals, transportation or help with other concerns. To get information about services in your area for people experiencing homelessness and to find out if you qualify, you can contact your state or local social services or welfare office.
If you are not receiving benefits, we pay disability benefits through two programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSDI is based on a worker’s earnings, not need. To be found disabled, you must be unable to work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 1 year or to end in death. For more information, visit Apply for Social Security benefits. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. To find someone who may be able to help you, visit our webpage, People Experiencing Homelessness & Their Service Providers. We hope this helps.
S.S.
Hi Jeremy. 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.
Gerry C.
How an who do l contact
COREY B.
I am 34 years old battling cancer when I got approved for my SSI benefits last year I was living with my brother therefore my benefit amount monthly was determined by the fact that I had no rent or utilities basically living expenses since then I have moved into my own house and now I paid rent monthly and I pay all of the utilities how do I request that the social Security administration review and redetermine how much I receive each month based on the increase in my living expenses and does this article affect me?
S.S.
Hi Corey, thank you for using our blog. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. It may be best for you to visit your local Social Security office to discuss your SSI benefits. You’ll find more details in our publication, What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income. Hope this helps!
Nghia T.
applying for SSI to pay for the Rent and Foods
Nghia T.
applying for SSI to pay for the Rent and Foods
Ronald J.
I’m disabled and wife and I are homeless and tired is there any help my god please
S.D.
We are sorry to hear about your situation, Ronald. We pay disability benefits through two programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSDI is based on a worker’s earnings, not need. To be found disabled, you must be unable to work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 1 year or to end in death. For more information, visit Apply for Social Security benefits. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to schedule an appointment. You can learn more at our webpage, People Experiencing Homelessness & Service Providers.
In addition, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services may include Medicaid, free meals, transportation or help with other concerns. To get information about services in your area for people experiencing homelessness and to find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.