You May Be Eligible for SSI and Social Security Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: January 16, 2025
This is Part 1 of our ongoing series about our disability programs.
You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) even if you already receive Social Security benefits. About 2.5 million adults and children get SSI and Social Security at the same time.
We pay Social Security benefits to workers and their eligible family members based on the worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people with little or no income and few resources.
Adults and children who meet the SSI income and resource requirements may be eligible for SSI and Social Security disability, retirement, or survivors benefits.
People younger than 65 must be blind or have a qualifying disability and meet SSI income and resource limits, while people 65 and older do not have to have a disability. About 1.4 million people 65 and older receive both SSI and Social Security.
What do we mean by “little or no income”?
In 2025, you may be eligible for SSI if your total income – including your Social Security benefit – is less than $987 per month (the 2025 SSI monthly federal benefit rate plus $20).
We consider income from all non-work sources, including pensions, veterans’ benefits, unemployment, and Social Security disability, retirement, or survivors benefits. We also count some – but not all – earnings from work, including self-employment.
What do we mean by “few resources”?
Resources are things that you own that you could change to cash and use to support yourself. They include vehicles (if you own more than one) and money in bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. To be eligible for SSI, your resources cannot be worth more than:
- $2,000 for a single person.
- $3,000 for a married couple living together.
When we determine your eligibility for SSI, we must consider the income and resources of your spouse if you are married and living together. Income and resource limits may be higher for a parent applying for SSI for a child.
We don’t count all income and resources. For example, we don’t count the house you own if you live in it, and we usually don’t count your car. You can learn more about what we can exclude at Exceptions to SSI income and resource limits.
Visit the SSI webpage to find out if you might be eligible for SSI and learn how to apply. If you have questions about eligibility, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the differences between SSI and Social Security.
Note: People who are eligible for SSI are generally eligible for Medicaid, state-run health coverage. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, receive Social Security disability benefits, or have kidney disease. It is possible to have both Medicaid and Medicare.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jeremy p.
My name is Jeremy Polk I’m receiving SSDI hmo program per month. I’ve also learned that there’s housing sec 8. These are the two big checks I’ve been receiving from the government. One is cash, 962 per month the other is controlled by the housing authorities. my questions is there another large check given out by the gov other than the SSDI SSI food stamps subsidy or housing. is there another ( cash check) given by the gov of equal importance compared to SSDI an SSI large checks. if so can you tell me where or how I can apply If disabled i need more income if possible for savings, and to not be on the streets. I’m living in a comfortable hud urban developed apartment program funded through sec 8 housing thanks you.
C.B.
Hi, Jeremy. Thanks for reading our blog. We pay disability benefits through two programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We do not have information on any other monetary benefits. However, you may be able to receive other assistance from the state in which you live. To learn about services in your community and to find out if you’re eligible, you can contact your state or local social services agency or welfare office. For other resources, check out our blog: How Connecting to Benefits Programs Can Save You Money. We hope this helps.
Cathy S.
I was full retirement age when I was 661/2 and I’m entitled to my full benefits, I’m 68 still trying to work part-time as a CNA, it’s not fair and I have been on my job 35 years now
Kayla
Hi, I just wanted to say that social security has been scamming me and my brother I’ve been taking care of him for almost three years now he got very sick back in July of 2023 and social security pronounced him dead with no death certificate just by hear say but he was not dead he was home with me well we couldn’t get any help only through DHS they had someone come to my home but that’s another story anyways so I couldn’t get anybody to believe me that he was still alive and finally I had got a caseworker to email one of the ladies there well she told me that she would give us back pay and all these things and she lied and now they have him on SSI he’s only been getting it for 2 months now so we have got no back pay for you know all the pain and suffering we went through all the just everything was really hard on us I can’t even get a job because I have to take care of him 24-hour round the clock he’s bedridden and it’s just been a lot and a lot of selfishness from social security and I would just like to say I think that there’s some false something going on in that office. Oh yeah and they only give us $600 a month to pay for everything all of our bills all of our medical supplies all of everything then they did shut off our check last month I had to call and get it back on like it’s just a bunch of crazy heck that they’re putting us through for no reason. And you know for almost since 2007 I think he has been paralyzed and he’s been getting social security for this whole time then he gets really ill in the hospital and they claim him dead and now they don’t give him anything but SSI supplemental security I don’t know it’s just a bunch of not okay stuff going on what should I do.
Terressa H.
I make $958 AMONTH MYBRENT IS 900 AND MY BILLS. ARECOVER FIFTY DOLLARS IM RUNNING BEHIND ON EVERYTHING BUT RENT IDO GET FOOD STA.OS BUT SOMEOME HACK THE EBT AND TOOK THRBQ40VI GET AMINTH WHERE CAN I GET HELP FRO NM
Utkarsh G.
“Thank you for writing this post! It was exactly what I needed to read today. The way you broke down the process made everything feel so much more achievable. I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed, but now I have a clearer path forward. Keep up the amazing work!”
C.B.
Thanks for your feedback! We value your opinion of us and look forward to many more years of serving you in the future.
Guana b.
I’m disabled,been drawing SSI for 30 yrs. Or more,,and never understand why I never got my back pay,I’ve been struggling ever since I got disabled with my back and other issues,and was really counting on my back pay and never got but $1,500 after waiting to yrs to get awarded,so it out me back two yrs in more debt,but couldn’t get no one to help me figure out why,my husband left me when found out I was disabled with two kids,and it’s been so hard and I was counting on my back pay after two yrs to get me and my kids on our feet but was in worse shape then I was before I was not able to work again,my husband and I never divorced,he been living with another lady since he left me in another state, please tell me if I can go back to getting my back pay I waited so long for
C.B.
Hi, Guana. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to your private information in this venue. To speak with a representative about your benefits and back pay, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jody S.
Why would a person be able to receive SSI when they are perfectly healthy and have been observed doing many different types of work?
Rob 2.
Jody,are you talking about someone in specific? If this person is over his retirement age and has worked for some time over the years they can be eligible for ssi on top of the monies paid into social security. Usually the amount they receive is still under $1000 dollars, regardless of their ability to do some work. We are all different and in this world it’s better to be grateful for our blessings than to worry about someone else’s business 💙🙏
J M.
I am on social security my spouse died in 2014 we were married 43 years I don’t understand why I can’t not get his social security as well as mine he worked From 18 till he passed at 62 but since I made more money than him I only get mine
Brandon R.
Look up survives income you might be able to get some idea on what to do for yourself
James G.
I am a retired Railroad (Tier I, II) member and have worked in the public sector 20 years after that. With the new SSA guidance, where and how do I apply for reconsideration of SS benefits.
Please use the email below to respond. Thanks.
S.S.
Hello James. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you disagree with a decision we’ve made, you can file a request for reconsideration online. If you are unable to file your appeal online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.
Jerry
How much money can a person make while on ssi and not lose it?
C.B.
Hi, Jerry. Thanks for using our blog. SSI is generally for individuals who don’t earn more than $2,019 from work each month. The income limit increases for couples and when parents apply for children. We also look at other sources of income besides your job, like disability benefits, unemployment, and pensions. Please check out our publication Working While Disabled: How We Can Help. We hope this information helps.
Melissa F.
I got my disability reinstated but social security did not enroll me into Medicare B or C at the time of reinstatement. I’m being penalized for past premiums. I live on the monthly amount of $829. This month they deducted $666. Now I can’t pay my bills, who can help me.
S.S.
Hi, Melissa. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To speak with a representative about your benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Lynne F.
I received SSI benefits. My father recently died and I just received a notice that I will be receiving survivors benefits. Will his affect my SSI and Waivers benefit s!
C.B.
Hi, Lynne. Thanks for using our blog and for your question. A disabled child already receiving SSI benefits, may be eligible for benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. Higher benefits might be payable and entitlement to Medicare may be possible. If you have questions about your situation, we encourage you to contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Angshuman D.
Great post, I really enjoyed the insights you shared. The tips are practical and easy to implement. Looking forward to reading more of your content. Keep up the great work.
C.B.
Thanks for your feedback! We value your opinion of us and look forward to many more years of serving you in the future.
Blairsey
Im over the SSI level by one dollar 988 ? Nothing to live on nothing to save . Bills win I lose enjoyment of life head in sand waiting for the boost talked about YouTube is full of false info needs fact check for sure leading seniors down the last hill .
Jay
If I got on ssi in September and they only give 3 months back pay at a time how long do I need to wait for my next payment
S.S.
Hi, Jay. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To speak with a representative about your benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
DT
Is there not an answer for all cases? If it’s 3 months at a time how is that scheduled?
T.H.
I’m on SSI and what they will do is for example hypothetically of course they will take the date and months that you filed and what the wages were then cuz every year they have to adjust them for the cola but whatever they were when you filed originally is what you will get mine went back 2 years I got the maximum amount and what they did was they gave me one payment out of the total that they came up with that I was due then my attorney got the next payment and I’m fixing to get my third and final installment for the rest I believe the law says they have to pay it off in three payments and just so you know if you had an attorney that comes out of your settlement sometimes first sometimes last it really just depends on when your attorney files the fear agreement which is I think it’s gone up to $9,000 now or a third of your total back pay whichever is least I hope that helps you out good luck