SSI payments are monthly cash from the federal government, with the amount depending on your living situation and state
The federal SSI payment in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual living independently, or $1,415 for a couple. If you live with someone who pays for your food or housing, the amount drops by about one-third. Some states add their own money on top of the federal amount — called a state supplement — which ranges from a few dollars to over $200 per month depending on where you live.
The payment you receive is not the same for everyone. It depends on three things: whether you are single or married, whether someone else pays for your shelter or food, and which state you live in. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recalculates your payment once a year, usually in December, based on cost-of-living adjustments.
You do not choose the amount. SSA determines it by looking at your living arrangement and your state's rules. If your situation changes — you move in with family, you get married, you move to a different state — your payment amount changes too.
Key Takeaways
- The base federal SSI payment for 2024 is $943 monthly for a single person, with higher amounts for couples and lower amounts if someone else pays for your food or shelter.
- Your actual payment depends on your state, because many states add a supplement on top of the federal amount.
- If you live with someone who pays for your housing or food, your payment is reduced by roughly one-third.
- SSA sends the same payment every month on the same date, and the amount only changes if your living situation changes or if there is a cost-of-living adjustment.
How the federal base amount works
The federal SSI payment starts at $943 per month for 2024 if you live on your own and pay for your own food and shelter. If you are married and both spouses receive SSI, the couple's combined payment is $1,415 per month — which means each person gets roughly $707.50, not the full individual amount.
This base amount is set by Congress and changes only when there is a cost-of-living adjustment, which happens once per year. In recent years, adjustments have ranged from less than 1 percent to over 8 percent, depending on inflation. SSA announces the new amount in October, and it takes effect in January.
The base amount assumes you have no other income and no resources (savings, property, or assets) over $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. If you have income from work, a pension, or other sources, SSA reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar above certain thresholds.
State supplements and how they change your payment
Twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements range from $1 per month in some cases to over $200 per month in states like California, Massachusetts, and New York. Three states — Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina — do not add anything.
Some states have different supplement amounts depending on your living situation. California, for example, pays a higher supplement if you live independently than if you live with family. New York has separate supplement amounts for people in different types of housing. You need to know your specific state's rules to know your actual monthly payment.
If you move to a different state, your payment amount changes. The new state's supplement takes effect the month after you move. This matters if you are considering relocating — your total monthly income could go up or down by $50 to $200 depending on which state you move to.
How living arrangements affect your payment
If someone else pays for your food or shelter, SSA reduces your payment. The reduction is called "in-kind support and maintenance," and it typically lowers your payment by about one-third of the federal base amount — roughly $300 per month.
This applies if you live with family members who pay for your housing, or if you live in a group home where meals and shelter are provided. It also applies if a friend or relative pays your rent or buys your groceries. SSA counts any food or shelter you do not pay for yourself.
The reduction does not explore if you pay rent or buy food yourself, even if the amount you pay is very low. It also does not explore if you live in a medical facility like a nursing home or hospital — those have their own SSI rules. If you are unsure whether your living situation triggers the reduction, contact your local SSA office.
How work income and other money affect your SSI payment
If you earn money from work, SSA does not reduce your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar. Instead, they use a formula: you can earn up to $65 per month with no reduction, and then SSA counts only half of your earnings above that amount. This means you can work and still receive most of your SSI payment.
Other income — such as a pension, unemployment benefits, or money from family members — is counted differently. Most types of income reduce your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after the first $20 per month. If you receive $100 in pension income, for example, SSA subtracts $80 from your SSI payment.
Certain types of money do not count as income at all. These include food stamps (SNAP), housing vouchers, and some types of in-kind support. SSA publishes a full list of what counts and what does not. If you have income from multiple sources, you need to report all of it to SSA so they can calculate your payment correctly.
When and how you receive your payment
SSA deposits your SSI payment directly into your bank account on the first business day of each month, or on the third day if the first falls on a weekend or holiday. You cannot choose a different payment date or receive a check instead. You must have a bank account or use a representative payee account to receive SSI.
The payment amount stays the same every month unless your situation changes. If you move, get married, start working, or your income changes, you must report it to SSA within 10 days. SSA will recalculate your payment and adjust it the following month.
If SSA overpays you — because you did not report a change in time, or because of an error — they will ask you to repay the overpayment. They can do this by reducing your future SSI payments, or by asking you to repay it directly. Underpayments are added to your next month's check.
How to find out your specific payment amount
Your actual SSI payment depends on your state and your living situation, so the federal base amount is only a starting point. To find out exactly how much you will receive, you need to contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.
When you call or visit, have ready: your state of residence, your living situation (do you pay for your own housing and food?), any other income you receive, and your resources (savings, property). SSA will tell you the federal amount, your state's supplement if any, and any reductions based on your situation.
You can also create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your payment amount and history. If you already receive SSI, your payment amount is shown in your account. If you do not yet receive it, you can use the online tool to estimate what you might receive based on your information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SSI payment change every year?
The federal base amount changes once per year in January if there is a cost-of-living adjustment. Your personal payment may also change if your living situation, income, or state changes. SSA notifies you of any changes in writing before they take effect.
What if I move to a different state?
Your payment amount will change to reflect your new state's supplement. The new amount takes effect the month after you move. Contact SSA before you move so they can update your address and recalculate your payment.
Can I receive SSI if I have a job?
Yes. SSA allows you to earn up to $65 per month with no reduction to your SSI, and then counts only half of earnings above that. Most people who work can still receive most of their SSI payment, though the exact amount depends on how much you earn.
What counts as living with someone who pays for my food or shelter?
If anyone else — family, friends, or a facility — pays for any part of your housing or food, SSA counts that as in-kind support. This includes rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, or meals. You must report it to SSA so they can adjust your payment correctly.
How do I report changes to SSA?
Contact your local Social Security office by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person, or through your my Social Security account online. You must report changes within 10 days. Changes that matter include moving, starting or stopping work, getting married, or any change in income or resources.