If you are looking to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), you will need to meet certain criteria. This includes, among other things, not having more income or assets than is permitted by law. Unfortunately, figuring out whether you fall below the SSI income limit is not as easy as it sounds, and it can sometimes be difficult to determine if you qualify for SSI benefits.
What is the SSI Income Limit?
The SSI income limit is a restriction on the amount of income someone can earn and still qualify for the program. On its surface, this is relatively simple: as of 2024, you can make no more than $1,971 per month or have more than $2,000 in personal assets as an individual (or make more than $2,915 and have more than $3,000 in personal assets as a couple). Where things get complicated is how this income is calculated, which is not as straightforward as it seems.
What Kinds of Income Count Towards the SSI Limit?
For the purposes of SSI benefits, there are four types of income:
- Earned income (from wages or self-employment, for example)
- Unearned income (from Social Security benefits, pensions, disability payments, or unemployment benefits)
- In-kind income (food or shelter provided for free or less than fair market value), and
- Deemed income (money from family members you live with).
Any or all of this income might be counted, depending on your exact circumstances. For example, deemed income is generally only counted if your spouse is not also applying for SSI benefits and would not qualify for it themselves.
What Kinds of Income Are Excluded From the SSI Limit?
There is, unfortunately, a long list of exceptions of income that does not count towards the total limit, even if they otherwise would. These include, but are not limited to:
- The first $20 of most income you make each month
- The first $65 you earn, plus one half of all earned income after that
- SNAP benefits and state or local needs-based assistance
- Tax refunds or refundable federal and advanced tax credits
- Grants, scholarships, grants or fellowships used for tuition or educational expenses
- Food or shelter provided by nonprofit groups
- Income set aside under a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
What Should You Do?
Ultimately, figuring out all of this yourself can be very complicated, and doing it wrong can lead to you not getting the benefits you might otherwise be entitled to. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability applications. They can guide you through the process and give you the best chance possible at avoiding rejection or a reduction in benefits.
