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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Travis
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Victoria H.
I collect ssi retirement but I still work because of the cost of livng.
If I quit my job will I be able to collect ssi what I get for my retirement is not enough to live oni
I have health issues a drop foot lupus osteoarthritis and problems with my back.im afraid if I quit my job I will not have nothing left from my check..I can’t pay rent by myself that’s why I live with my son and I also have to make a car payment.
So my question is if I quit my job can I apply for ssi.
S.S.
Hi, Victoria. Thanks for reading our blog and for your comments. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that makes payments to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources. For your security, we do not have access to your private information in this venue. 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. To learn more about our disability programs, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Mark S.
I’m confused, I’m 62 on ssi , one job 42yrs climbing telephone Poles, destroyed my back and life. I don’t make enough now with my insurance, how do I live.
Nancy d.
I got my ss after almost 3 yrs because of local ss office messing up my app then when I was finally approved because of disability at 60 yrs old I get only 865 a month my rent is 825 thank God utilities are included plus my food benefits were reduced to 23.00 a mo finally got that raised to 87.00 a mo but ss tells me I can’t receive ssi Why I ask?
Dorothy W.
In your above statement, you say you were told you don’t qualify for SSI. It’s important for you to try again.SSI provides more than just cash. Even if you only qualify for $5 a month on disability, you still get Medicaid and that insurance could make your prescriptions potentially free. it can pay for transportation, food delivery programs, companionship, home health nursing and on and on, all for free.
However, some of the following things may be barring your way.
Do you have resources that you can cash out? They may be looking at that. Things like retirement savings, owning more than I vehicle in your name, retirement savings or money market accounts, etc.
However, you should also qualify for SSI based on how much your rent is. With 100% of your income applied to your rent you should also be eligible for SSI and a major increase in food stamps. You will need to take your lease into your local food stamps office, to prove you need more help. Also get a statement from your pharmacist as to how much your medicine are monthly. That expense can also help with food stamps.
Other things possibly in your way.
Do you have anyone else paying your rent, phone, internet, insurance, groceries or cash money each month?
Other resources you can get more help from,:
Were you ever married to one man for more than ten years? If so, you may be qualified to take your ex or late husband’s Social Security, which is often greater than spouses.
You can dial “211”. This number connects you with someone that knows your local services and programs to help you. Some will even help you fill out the paperwork.
You can call your local Independent living office. Their job is to help the disabled to live more freely at home and avoid moving to a nursing home. This non-profit can come to your home if you want, to see what kinds of things you may have trouble doing. Then you and they work out a plan to get you the things you need. Some items but definitely not all, wheelchair, ramp, transferring sling, raised toilet seats, an air conditioner, large print books and magazines to read from the library of Congress. So many other things! I don’t know what state you live in or I could look up the contact info for you. 211 should have their info.
I’m going to give you my e-mail address because I could help you with more ideas. I’m hoping not to get flooded with junk mail, but this account is one I rarely use and it’s not connected to any info of mine.
My name is Dorothy
My e-mail is Doceykins@gmail.com
T.Y.
Hello, Nancy. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, who have limited income and resources. SSI is also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. To be eligible for SSI, a person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. For more information, please visit our SSI page. We hope this information helps.
Webb
I’m became disabled at 42 and get social security disability. Can I also get SSI. As well. I remember my brother worked and he had become disabled and got social security disability and a SSI check. He is deceased now. Can you help
Gary S.
My social security retirement is about 1170.00, since I pay 800.00 to for rent, I end up 370.00 for spend and I have one dependant. How can I apply for social security income?
C.B.
Hi, Gary. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. With a monthly retirement benefit of $1170, you will not be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and persons 65 and older without disabilities, who have limited income and resources. 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.
CAROLINE C.
Who do I speak with about getting Social Security to go with my SSI.
C.B.
Hi, Caroline. Thanks for reading our blog. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and persons 65 and older without disabilities, who have limited income and resources. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, on the other hand, are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. To learn about our process, visit How You Qualify. If you qualify, you can contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213. We hope this information is helpful.
Glenn W.
Im a a totally disabled veteran. I receive social security. Could I be eligible for social security disability?
Gurbachan A.
Hi
An oldee like 85 plus, unable to walk independently without any support like a walker / Cane etc, living on SSI only can b considered for a DISABLITY or not in terms of SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY RULES ?
Kayla
Hi I commented earlier about I’m so security and just not doing what they’re supposed to be with their what we are entitled to as human beings you know as what we’re entitled to for our rights and anyways and then this lady denied him to get back on his social security disability and said that the only reason I came in her office was to apply for SSI which was not true that was a lie they’ve been lying to me this whole time I would just like to know who I speak with who is above social security who do I talk to that will look into my whole case
Kayla
Who do I speak with about false death saying that he was dead when he wasn’t it’s been almost 2 years now for falsely telling us that they’re going to pay us all the back pay that they owe us for the whole time they claimed him to cease for all the pain and suffering that we’ve been going through and just how hard it’s been for us you know we already have it hard enough what can