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

The federal base rate for Supplemental Security Income is set each year by the Social Security Administration and adjusted for inflation. In 2024, that rate is $943 monthly for a single person with no other income. A couple receives $1,415 together. These are the floor amounts — what you receive if you live in a state that does not add its own supplement on top.

Your actual payment may be lower than $943 if you have other income. Social Security counts wages, pensions, and some benefits against your SSI amount, reducing it dollar-for-dollar after a small exclusion. If you earn $65 in a month, for example, your SSI drops by roughly $32.50 (half of earnings above the $65 floor are counted). If your other income is high enough, you may receive no SSI at all, though you would still be enrolled and may be able to access for Medicaid in most states.

The payment also varies by state. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. add their own supplementary payment on top of the federal rate. In those places, the lowest payment is higher than $943. In the remaining states, the federal rate is all you receive.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI payment floor is $943 per month for an individual in 2024, adjusted annually for inflation.
  • Your payment shrinks if you have other income, and can drop to zero if that income is high enough, though you keep Medicaid in most states.
  • Nineteen states and D.C. add supplementary payments that raise the minimum above the federal rate; the other states use the federal amount only.
  • The exact lowest payment you receive depends on your state, your other income, and whether you live alone or with a spouse.

How other income reduces your SSI payment

Social Security does not count all income the same way. Earned income (wages from work) is treated more generously than unearned income (pensions, interest, other benefits). For earned income, the first $65 per month is excluded, and then half of anything above that is counted against SSI. For unearned income, the first $20 per month is excluded, and then it is counted dollar-for-dollar.

This means if you receive a $200 monthly pension, your SSI drops by $180 (the $200 minus the $20 exclusion). If you earn $200 in wages, your SSI drops by $67.50 (the $200 minus $65, then half of the remaining $135). The difference matters when you are deciding whether to work or how to structure other income.

Once your other income reaches a certain threshold, you receive no SSI payment at all. In 2024, that threshold is roughly $2,163 per month for an individual. But stopping SSI does not mean you lose Medicaid — in most states, you keep health coverage even when your payment hits zero, as long as you remain enrolled in the program.

State supplementary payments and where they explore

These states and Washington, D.C. provide their own monthly supplement above the federal $943 base: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

The supplement amounts vary widely. New York adds roughly $100 per month for an individual living alone. California adds roughly $70. Some states add less than $50. A few states have different rates depending on whether you live independently, in someone else's household, or in a care facility. You receive whichever is higher: the federal rate plus your state's supplement, or your state's rate if it has set one independently.

If you move from a state with a supplement to one without, your payment drops on the first day of the following month. If you move to a state with a higher supplement, your payment increases. This matters if you are considering relocation — the difference can be $50 to $150 per month depending on where you go.

What counts as income and what does not

Social Security has a specific list of what reduces your SSI payment. Wages, self-employment income, pensions, interest, dividends, rental income, and most government benefits all count. Supplemental payments from your state, however, do not count against federal SSI — they are added on top.

Some things do not count as income at all. Food, shelter, and clothing given to you directly do not count. In-kind support (someone paying your rent or utilities on your behalf) is treated specially — it reduces your payment by a fixed amount rather than the full value. Gifts and loans do not count. Certain work incentives for people with disabilities allow you to exclude some earnings or impairment-related work expenses.

The rules are specific enough that if you have unusual income — a settlement, a one-time payment, irregular self-employment — it is worth asking Social Security directly how it will be treated. The difference between something counting as income and not counting can mean the difference between receiving $943 and receiving nothing.

How the annual cost-of-living adjustment affects your minimum payment

Each January, Social Security raises the federal SSI rate by the same percentage as the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In 2024, that increase was 3.2 percent, which is why the rate moved from $914 in 2023 to $943 in 2024. The adjustment is automatic — you do not have to do anything to receive it.

State supplements do not always increase at the same rate. Some states tie their supplement to the federal COLA. Others set their own adjustment or do not adjust at all. This means the gap between the federal minimum and your state's actual minimum can narrow or widen from year to year depending on where you live.

The COLA is announced in October and takes effect the following January. If you are planning your budget or considering a major decision, knowing that your payment will increase in January can matter — but you should not count on a specific increase amount until Social Security announces it in the fall.

When your SSI payment might be suspended or stopped

Your payment can be reduced or stopped if your income or resources change, if you move, if you are incarcerated, or if you no longer meet the disability or age requirements. The most common reason is a change in income — if you start working or receive a new benefit, Social Security will recalculate your payment.

If you are in a hospital, nursing home, or correctional facility for a full month, your SSI payment stops. If you are there for part of a month, you receive a partial payment. If you are released or discharged, your payment resumes the following month. This is a hard rule with no exceptions, so it is important to tell Social Security when ready if your living situation changes.

If your payment is stopped and you believe it was a mistake, you can request a reconsideration within 60 days. If Social Security made an error in calculating your income or resources, they will correct it and may owe you back pay. If the decision was correct but you disagree with the policy, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if my payment would be less than $100 per month?

No. Social Security has a minimum payment threshold — if your calculated payment would be less than $1 per month, you receive nothing and are not enrolled in SSI. However, if you are already receiving SSI and your payment drops below $1 due to income changes, you typically remain enrolled and keep Medicaid, even though you receive no cash payment.

What happens to my SSI if I inherit money?

Inherited money counts as a resource, not income. SSI has a $2,000 resource limit for individuals. If your inheritance pushes you over that limit, your SSI stops until your resources drop back below $2,000. Some inherited assets may be excluded under specific rules — ask Social Security about your situation before you accept the inheritance.

Does my spouse's income affect my SSI payment if we are married?

Yes. Social Security counts your spouse's income against your SSI payment using the same rules as your own income. If you are married and both receive SSI, the couple rate is $1,415 in 2024, and both of your incomes are counted together. If only one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse's income still reduces the payment.

If I move to a state with a higher SSI supplement, when does my payment increase?

Your payment increases on the first day of the month after you move. You will need to report your move to Social Security within 10 days. Bring proof of your new address — a lease, utility bill, or letter from a landlord. Social Security will recalculate your payment based on your new state's rules.

What if I disagree with how Social Security calculated my income?

Request a reconsideration within 60 days of the decision. Bring documentation of your actual income — pay stubs, bank statements, benefit letters, or tax returns. If Social Security made a calculation error, they will correct it. If you still disagree after reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.