The federal SSI payment in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual, or $1,415 for a couple

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit amount changes once a year, on January 1st, based on the cost of living adjustment (COLA). In 2024, a single person receives $943 monthly; a married couple where both receive SSI gets $1,415 combined. A spouse who does not receive SSI themselves gets $472.

These are the base federal amounts. Your actual payment may be lower if you have income from work, pensions, or other sources—SSI reduces the benefit dollar-for-dollar after the first $65 of monthly earnings and $20 of other income. Your payment may also be higher if you live in a state that adds its own supplementary payment on top of the federal amount.

The payment goes into a bank account you designate, usually by direct deposit. SSI does not pay in arrears—you receive the current month's payment on the first business day of the following month. If you become unable to work or your circumstances change, the payment amount adjusts the month after SSA processes the change.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 federal SSI payment is $943 monthly for a single person and $1,415 for a married couple where both receive SSI.
  • Your actual payment will be lower if you earn wages or have other income, because SSI counts most income against the benefit.
  • Twenty-eight states and Washington D.C. add supplementary payments on top of the federal amount, ranging from $1 to over $300 monthly depending on the state.
  • The federal amount increases once yearly in January based on cost of living; state supplements may increase separately or remain flat.
  • Payments arrive by direct deposit on the first business day of each month for the previous month's benefit.

How income reduces your SSI payment

SSI counts most money you receive as income, and the program subtracts it from your benefit. The first $65 of earned income (wages from work) and the first $20 of unearned income (pensions, interest, gifts) do not count. After that, SSI reduces your benefit by $1 for every $1 you earn.

If you work and earn $200 in a month, SSI counts $135 of that ($200 minus the $65 exclusion). Your SSI payment drops by $135. If you receive a $500 monthly pension, SSI counts $480 of it ($500 minus the $20 exclusion), and your payment drops by $480. Some income does not count at all—food, shelter provided by someone else, and certain support services do not reduce your benefit.

The reduction happens the month you earn or receive the income. If you stop working or your pension ends, your payment goes back up the following month. This is why reporting changes quickly matters: if you do not tell SSA about new income, they may overpay you and ask for the money back later.

State supplementary payments and which states offer them

Twenty-eight states plus Washington D.C. operate their own SSI supplement programs. These add money on top of the federal $943 (or $1,415 for couples). The amount varies widely: some states add $1 or $2 monthly, while others add $200 to $300 or more. California, New York, and Massachusetts have among the highest supplements.

State supplements follow different rules than the federal benefit. Some states use the same income exclusions as SSI; others have stricter rules. Some states reduce the supplement if you have resources (savings, property) above a certain threshold, while the federal SSI program has a $2,000 resource limit for individuals and $3,000 for couples. A few states have their own resource limits that are higher or lower.

If you move to a different state, your supplement changes on the first day of the month after you establish residency there. The new state's supplement takes effect; the old state's stops. You must report the move to both SSA and the state program to avoid payment delays or overpayments.

When the federal payment amount changes

The federal SSI benefit increases on January 1st each year if the cost of living adjustment (COLA) is greater than zero. The COLA is calculated by the Social Security Administration based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year. If inflation has occurred, the benefit goes up; if there is deflation, the benefit stays the same (it does not decrease).

The 2024 COLA was 3.2 percent, which is why the 2024 payment is higher than 2023. The exact percentage varies year to year. SSA announces the COLA in October for the January increase, so you know the new amount before it takes effect. State supplements may increase at the same time, increase separately, or remain unchanged—each state decides.

The increase is automatic. You do not need to do anything to receive it. SSA updates your payment in early January, and you see the new amount in your bank account on the first business day of the month.

How SSI payments compare to SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI are separate programs with different payment amounts. SSDI is based on your work history and the earnings record of the worker who paid into Social Security. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 monthly, but individual payments range from roughly $600 to over $3,800 depending on the worker's earnings history. SSI, by contrast, is a flat benefit (plus state supplement) based on financial need, not work history.

SSDI has no income limit—you can earn as much as you want and still receive the full benefit, as long as you do not exceed the substantial gainful activity threshold (which is $1,550 monthly in 2024 for non-blind individuals). SSI reduces the benefit if you earn more than $65 monthly. SSDI has a $4,000 resource limit for individuals; SSI has a $2,000 limit.

Some people receive both SSDI and SSI simultaneously. If your SSDI payment is very low, SSI may top it up to the federal SSI amount. This is called concurrent benefits. The income and resource rules for the SSI portion still explore.

What happens if you work while receiving SSI

You can work and receive SSI at the same time. The first $65 of your monthly wages does not count against your benefit. After that, SSI counts half of what you earn. If you earn $200 monthly, SSI counts $67.50 of it ($200 minus $65, then divided by 2). Your payment drops by $67.50 instead of the full $135 it would if you were not using the work incentive.

This is called the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or the earned income exclusion, depending on how you structure it. The goal is to let you work without losing your entire benefit when ready. Many people use this to transition from SSI to full-time work over time, keeping health insurance and other supports while their earnings grow.

You must report your work and earnings to SSA each month. If you do not report, SSA may overpay you. If you stop working, tell SSA right away so your payment increases the following month. Some people worry that working will disqualify them; it will not, but your payment will adjust based on what you earn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SSI payment cover rent and food?

The $943 federal payment is meant to cover basic living expenses, but it falls short in most parts of the country. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment exceeds $1,000 in many cities. Most SSI recipients rely on housing information, food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, or help from family to make ends meet. State supplements help in some places but do not close the gap everywhere.

What if I inherit money or receive a lump-sum payment?

Lump-sum payments count as income in the month you receive them and reduce your SSI benefit that month. If you inherit $5,000, SSI counts it as income (minus the $20 exclusion) and your benefit drops to zero or near zero for that month. The money also counts as a resource going forward, and if it pushes you over the $2,000 resource limit, you lose SSI until you spend it down. Report any lump sum to SSA within 10 days.

Can I receive SSI if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Most non-citizens cannot receive SSI. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and certain other categories can, but the rules are strict and changed significantly in 1996. If you are not a citizen, contact your local SSA office or a legal aid organization to find out whether you meet the exceptions. Citizenship status does not affect SSDI if you have a work history.

What if my state does not have a supplementary payment?

You receive only the federal $943 (or $1,415 for couples). Twenty-two states do not operate a state supplement. If you live in one of those states and your income is very low, you may be able to receive additional help through other programs like SNAP, housing information, or LIHEAP (utility information), but these are separate from SSI and have their own rules.

How often does SSA review my case to make sure I still may have access to?

SSA conducts periodic reviews to confirm you still meet the disability or age requirement and that your income and resources have not changed. The frequency depends on your situation—some cases are reviewed every one to three years, others less often. SSA will contact you by mail when a review is due. You must report changes in income, resources, living situation, or work status between reviews, or you risk overpayment.