The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
To get SSI you must have limited income and resources. The table below shows the maximum income and resources you can have to qualify for SSI. Note: Exclusions may apply to the income and resource limits in each of the columns below.
| Gross wages or net self-employment income | Income from pensions or gifts, etc. | Resources (things you own) |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $1,913 per month in wages (before taxes and other deductions) or self-employment (after deduction of allowable business expenses) if you are an individual. | Less than $934 per month if you are an individual. | Less than $2,000 total if you are an individual. |
| Less than $2,827 per month in wages (before taxes and other deductions) or self-employment (after deduction of allowable business expenses) if you are a couple. | Less than $1,391 per month if you are a couple. | Less than $3,000 total if you are a couple. |
| Note: If you have a disability and have other expenses related to work you may still be eligible for SSI. | Note: We automatically exclude some things like ABLE accounts, some trusts, and some burial funds. You may be eligible even if you think you have resources over these limits. |
SSI is different from our Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. However, the medical requirements are the same for both programs. To get disability payments, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Also, under both programs, we consider a person “blind” if they have vision no better than 20/200 or a limited visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye with the use of eyeglasses. A person whose sight isn’t poor enough to be “blind” may still be considered to have a qualifying disability.
Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and resources (the things you own).
Income is money you receive such as wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, and money from friends or relatives. Income also includes such things as food and shelter you get free or for less than its fair market value.
You may be able to get SSI if your resources (the things you own) are worth $2,000 or less. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth $3,000 or less. We don’t count everything you own when we decide if you can get SSI. For example, we don’t count the house you own if you live in it, and we usually don’t count your vehicle. We do count cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.
The easiest way to begin is to request an appointment to file for benefits. You can request an appointment for yourself or someone you are helping. Our representatives can answer questions, explain needed documents, and guide you through the application process.
I prefer to request an appointment by phone.
Call us at 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to file your application. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call us at TTY 1-800-325-0778.
You can start the application process online. Before you begin, please review the basics to make sure you understand what to expect and the information and documents you’ll need to complete the application.
Please pick the option that meets your needs below. Note: Once you submit your information, you may be contacted later by a representative.