The federal maximum SSI payment in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual

That figure is set by the federal government and changes once a year, usually in January, based on cost-of-living adjustments. The amount you receive depends on your living situation, your income, and whether you have a spouse or child also receiving SSI. The maximum is rarely what someone actually gets—most people receive less because of how the program counts income and resources.

If you live in a state that adds its own supplementary payment on top of the federal amount, your total can be higher. Some states pay substantially more. California, for example, adds state funds that bring the total to around $1,087 per month for an individual in 2024, though that number shifts annually.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI maximum for a single person is $943 monthly in 2024, adjusted each January for inflation.
  • Your actual payment will be lower if you have other income, own resources above the $2,000 limit, or live with someone who supports you.
  • States that run their own supplementary programs can add $50 to $400+ per month on top of the federal amount.
  • Couples and families have different maximum amounts: $1,415 for a couple in 2024, plus any state supplement.

How the federal maximum is calculated and when it changes

The Social Security Administration sets the federal SSI maximum using the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that applies to Social Security retirement benefits. This adjustment is announced in October and takes effect the following January. The 2024 adjustment was 3.2 percent, which is why the maximum rose from $914 in 2023 to $943 in 2024.

The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. If inflation is low, the adjustment is small or zero. If inflation is high, the adjustment is larger. You cannot predict the exact amount until the Social Security Administration announces it in the fall.

Why you probably receive less than the maximum

The federal maximum applies only to people with no other income and no countable resources. The moment you have earnings, a pension, or other income, your SSI payment is reduced. For every dollar you earn, SSI subtracts 50 cents (after an initial $65 per month is excluded). If you receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, those reduce your SSI dollar for dollar.

You also cannot own more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one car do not count, but a second vehicle does. If you exceed the resource limit, you lose SSI entirely until you spend down to the limit.

Your living situation also affects the amount. If someone else pays for your food or housing, SSI assumes you are receiving support and reduces your payment by up to one-third of the federal maximum. This is called the in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) reduction.

State supplementary payments and where they are highest

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia run their own supplementary SSI programs. These states add money on top of the federal payment. The amount varies widely depending on the state's cost of living and budget.

California, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont have the highest state supplements. California adds approximately $144 per month for an individual living independently, bringing the total to around $1,087. New York adds roughly $87 per month. Massachusetts and Vermont each add different amounts depending on living situation. Some states add only $10 to $30 per month.

Other states—including Texas, Florida, Georgia, and most of the South and Midwest—do not run supplementary programs at all. If you live in one of those states, you receive only the federal maximum (minus any reductions for income or living situation).

Maximum payments for couples and families

The federal maximum for a married couple is $1,415 per month in 2024. This is not double the individual maximum; it is lower than two individuals would receive separately. If both members of the couple meet SSI requirements, they each receive a reduced amount that totals $1,415.

If you have a child under 18 who meets SSI requirements, that child can receive their own payment. The child's maximum is the same as an individual's ($943 in 2024), but the family's total SSI payment is capped. The cap varies by state and living situation, so the addition of a child does not always increase the household's total payment by the full child amount.

How to find the maximum payment in your state

The Social Security Administration publishes a table each year showing the federal maximum and each state's supplementary amount. You can find this on the SSA website under "SSI Federal and State Payment Levels." The table shows amounts for individuals, couples, and essential persons (someone living in the household who is not receiving SSI but whose income counts toward the household).

Your local Social Security office can also tell you the maximum for your situation. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your nearest office. They can explain how your specific income and living situation would affect your payment amount.

What happens to the maximum if you move to a different state

If you move from a state with a high supplement to one with a low or no supplement, your payment will drop. For example, moving from California to Texas would reduce your monthly payment by approximately $144 (the California supplement). Your SSI case will be transferred to your new state, and your payment will be recalculated based on that state's rules.

If you move to a state with a higher supplement, your payment will increase. The change takes effect the month after you establish residency in the new state. You must report your move to Social Security within 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maximum SSI payment increase every year?

Yes, the federal maximum increases each January if there is a cost-of-living adjustment. The adjustment is based on inflation and is announced in October. Some years the adjustment is zero if inflation is very low. State supplements may also increase, but that depends on each state's budget.

If I get Social Security retirement or disability, can I also get SSI?

You can receive both, but your Social Security payment reduces your SSI dollar for dollar. If your Social Security payment is $943 or more, you will not receive any SSI. If it is less, SSI makes up the difference up to the federal maximum, minus any other income or living situation reductions.

What counts as income that reduces my SSI payment?

Wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment benefits, and rental income all count. Gifts and loans do not count as income. The first $65 per month of wages is excluded, and half of earnings above that are excluded. Other income is counted dollar for dollar.

Can I receive SSI if I own a home?

Yes. Your primary residence does not count as a resource for SSI purposes. You can own your home and still receive the maximum payment. If you own a second home or rental property, that counts as a resource and may affect your payment.

How do I know if my state has a supplementary SSI program?

You can check the SSA's state payment levels table on their website, or call your local Social Security office. They can tell you the exact maximum for your state and living situation. The supplement amount may vary depending on whether you live independently, with family, or in a care facility.