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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Heather B.
What about SSDI recipients? For those who are disabled and under 65, and need mental health care, a small percentage is left who still take Medicare. The majority no longer accept Medicare, and require you pay for services out of pocket. One visit can cost you up to $400, and that’s for a consultation. Mental health care is a long term process and commitment. They make you sign a “opt out form” agreeing that you will not submit the bill that you just paid in full to your doctor to Medicare for some sort of reimbursement- even though the doctor has been paid and won’t be required to be paid anything in return. For those who live off SSDI and are under 65, their monthly benefit is most likely under $2000/month. Rent in my area is an average of $2600. So I can’t get any treatment. I am ineligible for assistance with housing because of the amount of my SSDI, and I pay for a secondary insurance which costs $400/mth. I am living a nightmare and feel trapped and more sick than I was before I got on social security disability.
Christina
I am so sorry 😔 they make it so hard for us to just afford to put a roof over our head. We have to move ASAP nothing in my area is adorable, $2000 + utilities CA is so overpriced. Lifting a prayer for all of us🙏
JERRY M.
WE MUST ELIMINATE ALL FORMS OF SSI, WELFARE PROGRAMS, WELFARE TYPE TAX CREDITS, GOVERNMENT EARMARKS, GRANTS, AND FINANCIAL FAVORS BY POLITICIANS. WE MUST ELIMINATE ALL FORMS OF AID TO ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, FOREIGNERS. WE MUST ELIMINATE ALL FOREIGN AID, HUMANITARIAN AID!
THE USA CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT BALANCING OUR BUDGET THROUGH ELIMINATION OF ALL THE BAD PROGARMS, ETC. MENTIONED ABOVE!
THOSE US CTIZENS IN THE 50% OF US CITIZENS WHO ARE ACTUALLY PAYING FEDERAL INCOME TAXES TO SUPPORT 100% OF THE US CITIZENS, PLUS ALL THE BIDEN ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, SSI RECIPIENTS AND WELFARE RECIPIENTS ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE PAYING FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ANY LONGER! EVERYONE LIVING IN THE USA MUST BE REQUIRED TO EARN THEIR OWN LIVING, PAYING SOME TAXES NO MATTER HOW LOW OR HIGH THEIR INCOMES ARE SO EVERYONE WILL HAVE A STAKE IN THE GAMES PLAYED BY CONGRESS AND US GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/EMPLOYEES!
ELIMINATE MOST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND ALL MARXIST-COMMUNIST IN US GOVERNMENT, CONGRESS, IN USA AND GET ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS AND FOREIGNERS OUT OF USA!
Wendy
This is Definitely A Republican(Donald Trump) Supporter!!
JERRY M.
PROBABLY JUST A REAL AMERICAN WHO BELIEVES IN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS, CAPITALISM, INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND WHO SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WORKING TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, RATHER THAN DEPENDING ON THE US GOVERNMENT AND REAL TAX PAYING CITIZENS TO GIVE THEM A LIVING!
Tony
It looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck. The person is a Republican, lol.
They are brainwashed in believing they are real Americans. Another racist ideology made up by the white nationalist.
JERRY M.
THERE IS NOTHING RACIST ABOUT BEING AN HONEST CITIZEN WHO IS IN THE 50% OF THE US POPULATION THAT IS STUCK PAYING FEDERAL INCOME TAXES FOR 100% OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, PLUS BIDEN’S ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, STUDENTS WITH FORGIVEN STUDENT LOANS, WELFARE RECIPIENTS, SSI RECIPIENTS, MARXIST-COMMUNISTS WHO ARE INTENT ON DESTROYING AMERICAN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN FAVOR OF COMMUNISM-SOCIALISM, MARXISM, AND IN FAVOR OF LIVING OFF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WORK AND INVEST SO THE USA EXISTS FOR EVERYONE! DUCKS DO NOT TALK BUT HONEST US CITIZENS MUST SPEAK UP AND STOP MARXISM AS WELL AS WELFARE PROGRAMS!
Butch P.
Well said my friend well said
Bill
Has nothing to do with Trump, get off that BS line you are using. It does have to do with what America is and who our citizens are and who is here illegally. I am tired of seeing the news every night about the millions of illegal aliens coming into our country that I am forced to pay for; free money given to them, free health care, free food, free housing, taking over our community schools, reactional areas etc. And then there are the horrific crimes being committed by illegals and their total lack of respect for Americans and our communities, police, and our laws in general.
No, I did not vote for Trump, but I sure will not vote for Biden and his far-left social governance and willingness to do whatever he can to buy votes with our tax dollars. I paid off my college loan and paid for my children’s college loans. I do not want to, or should I have to, pay off the free loader’s loans so they can go on vacation like our vice president said they could do now they don’t have to pay off their loans.
Butch P.
👍
Emilio
The only thing that the government should do is stop allocating aid to foreign countries to fight senseless because in no way are these countries fighting for the freedom and liberty of American citizens !!
Cat B.
wrong Jerry the Republican. You are completely out of your mind if you think you and your ilk will get rid of Social Security. I agree that Illegals and DACA illegals should not get any of the programs we born Americans have but to write get rid of all these programs – dead wrong and it will never happen. Abortion should be only for Republicans. We do not need more of you in America.
bob r.
Go fuck yourself you are a complete loser!
JERRY M.
PEOPLE WHO USE BAD LANGUAGE, AND THOSE WHO CURSE, DEFINITELY PROVE, BEYOND ANY DOUBT, THAT THEY ARE IGNORANT INDIVIDUALS! THERE IS NO ROOM FOR IGNORANCE IN USA! HONEST, TAX PAYING CITIZENS MUST CHANGE THE US TAX SYSTEMS SO THAT EVERY PERSON LIVING IN USA DOES PAY SOME FEDERAL INCOME TAXES TO SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE MILITARY FORCES, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR US CITIZENS! BUT NONE OF US HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, DIRTY MARXIST-COMMUNISTS, OR THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVING OFF WELFARE PROGRAMS, SSI OR FREE MEDICAID! MEDICAID SHOULD NOT BE FREE ANY LONGER, FOR ANYONE!
Jim
Cat B, Jerry did not say anything about getting of Social Security. Guess you have trouble reading or understanding what is written. I am not a republican and I this has nothing to do with what party you are associated with or if you are an independent. Your ending comment is very distasteful and really reflect on the kind of person you are.
JERRY M.
NOBODY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT GETTING RID OF SOCIAL SECURITY! SSI IS NOT SOCIAL SECURITY! SSI IS A WELFARE PROGRAM PUT UNDER ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION! THE POLITICIANS HID SSI IN SS ADMINISTRATION SO VOTERS AND SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS WOULD NOT SEE THE WELFARE STATUS OF SSI! WE DO NOT NEED WELFARE PROGRAMS, WE JUST NEED TO BRING NON-UNION JOBS, COMPANIES, BUSINESSES BACK INTO USA SO WE GROW THE MIDDLE CLASS DUE THE WORK AND INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY FROM EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON LIVING FREE FROM COMMUNISM IN USA! PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE OFF US GOVERNMENT AND THE FEW US CITIZENS WHO ARE ACTUALLY PAYING FEDERAL INCOMCE TAXES NEED TO MOVE TO RUSSIA, GAZA, IRAN, SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY MUST WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND LIVE EACH DAY AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MARXIST-COMMUNIST COMMUNIST LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT GUARDS! WE DO NOT NEED SOCIALISTS, MARXISTS, COMMUNISTS, FOREIGNERS, ILLEGAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, OR WELFARE RECIPIENTS IN OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! AMERICANS MUST BE AMERICANS, NOT ANYTHING ELSE, OR USA WILL NOT EXIST VERY MANY MORE YEARS! HOPE YOU ALL WAKE UP AND START REALIZING EVERYONE IN USA MUST WORK TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN FAMILIES!
Angelic L.
First of all not everyone can work that’s why we pay into fica taxes so if you become disabled you have an income of some type. This is necessary at least for me it became necessary after I became disabled. Also some people are looking for work but can not obtain a job usually because of discrimination like age discrimination! Those people depend on government social welfare programs. These programs are necessary otherwise people are going to start stealing to get food and clothing if you make people to desperate they will do anything sometimes even kill peoples when they rob them because they are desperate. These programs help reduce crime also.
JERRY M.
WE DO NOT PAY FICA TAXES TO SUPORT WELFARE PROGRAMS, WHICH IS WHAT SSI AND SSIDI ARE! SSI AND SSIDI ARE FUNDED FROM U.S. TAXES, NOT FROM FICA FUNDS! WE DO NOT WANT ANY TYPE OF WELFARE PROGRAMS LEFT IN USA! GETTING ALL OUR FACTORIES, NON-UNION JOBS, PLANTS, WORKERS, INVESTMENTS BACK INTO AMERICA SO THE MIDDLE CLASS WOULD BE GROWN INTO A SOCIETY THAT SUPPORT AMERICA’S BASIC NEEDS, SUCH AS THE MILITARY FORCES, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY WOULD MAKE U.S. A WELFARE PROGRAM FREE NATION, IF WE WILL GET RID OF ALL THE ILLEAL ALIENS, IMMIGRANTS, CRIMINALS, FOREIGNERS, MEXICAN WELFARE SUCKING WOMEN, WELFARE RECIPIENTS, SSI RECIPIENTS AND GET ALL THE LYING CHEATING MARXISTS OUT OF GOVERNMENT JOBS, CONGRESS, MICHIGAN, OREGON, WASHINGTON, ILL, DELEWARE, MAINE, WASHINGTON D.C.
Danny
Why can’t people who collect SSDI receive rental assistance? My rent has increased by 30% TWICE. SSDI is unrealistic with cost of living expenses. We need help before we’re thrown into the streets!
Wendy
You Are So Right.
Lori
I agree. If I had not have finally received my section 8 I very possibly could have been homeless. Scary stuff
Cat B.
If you can get on Section 8 do it.
Angelic L.
That’s SSI I don’t think that applies to SSDI . They are changing the rule sept 30,2024 where rental assistance is not going to count against you, same with the in kind support of food won’t be counted against you. Really neither should have ever been counted against your SSI or SSDI because you are already living below poverty level. Really they should give everyone who had the assistance counted against their income back pay for being put under duress.
T J.
My rent goes up yearly and the amount it goes up increases also. That is what needs to be stopped.
Linda M.
Advocates, we need someone whom to ask questions, SSI won’t, they say it’s going against SSI.
Monica H.
STOP PROMOTING THESE POVERTY PROGRAMS! NOTHING IS FREE! AND ONCE THEY ENROLL THEIR LIFE WILL BE A DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Angelic L.
No don’t stop these programs 17% of the population might turn against people and commit unspeakable crimes out of deportation .
Joyce P.
What needs to be revised is the barrier for a mentally disabled adult who needs and has a full time live in caregiver. The seriously mentally disabled can hurt themselves, but a trusted caregiver can redirect them w/o harm done. The caregiver’s income should not be included because they are working 24 hours 365 day’s a week.
Ken B.
I did not find this information helpful. I find it to be descipable.
When are we to be told that the entire SS system will be bankrupt long nefore it was stated to be formerly – about 2034?
Caring A.
SSI is not the same as the trust funds to which you are referring. Also, the trust funds are not going bankrupt. There is a very easy fix.
This is a much needed change for SSI recipients. You try living on $500 a month when you’re too sick or injured to work.
Mary R.
Why People who are Married the income between them both should go up with the prices of everything else going up , I am Married I have been constantly been being cut because my Husband and I are incomes together he is part time but been at his jail b so long , all the raises he has received it gets taking out on my ssi check , I don’t think this is right at all we are not getting buy please raise the standards , you count income before taxes are taking out , please fix these rules , I am in the middle of trying to figure out my paperwork ,I am down in the $500 A month , this is not right please I am always paying overpayments because my Husband works 20 PR less hours a week Help us Americans out please
S.D.
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Mary Rose. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for people with disabilities, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. If you’re living with your spouse, the law requires that we count his income when determining your SSI eligibility and payment amount. To prevent future overpayments, we offer several electronic tools for reporting wages: your personal my Social Security account, our SSI Telephone Wage Reporting service, or an app for your Android or Apple smartphone. To learn more about wage reporting options, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We encourage you to check with your local Social Security office to find out which option is best for you.
If you’d like to submit feedback about our rules, visit our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a suggestion, compliment, or complaint. We hope this helps
Tina
I am confused is SSI and SSDI the same thing? How do you know if you are recievinb one or the other? And does this affect those who live in Minnesota as well?
Cat B.
It’s a federal program. It doesn’t matter where you live. However SSD is for people who are disabled. I was on SSD for 2 years and when I turned 65 they turned it into SSI.
S.D.
Hi, Tina. Thanks for reading our blog and for your questions. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that makes payments to adults and children with disabilities, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on a worker’s earnings. Both SSI and SSDI are federal programs, and eligibility rules are the same in every state. To learn more about the differences between the two programs, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. To find out the type of benefit you receive, you can access your benefit verification letter with your personal my Social Security account. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Laura
Where does this SSI Money come from?
Regina
Financed by us treasury-personal income tax,Corp taxes and other taxes
S.D.
Hi, Laura. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) makes monthly payments to people with disabilities, or people 65 or older, who have limited income and resources. SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) do not fund SSI. To learn more about the differences between Social Security and SSI, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.