The federal maximum SSI payment in 2024

The highest amount the federal government pays through SSI each month is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple, as of 2024. These amounts change once a year in January, based on the cost of living. The actual payment you receive may be lower than the maximum if you have other income or resources, or if your state adds its own supplementary payment on top.

The federal maximum is the same everywhere in the country. However, some states add extra money called state supplementary payments, which means the total you could receive varies by where you live. A few states pay no supplement at all, while others add several hundred dollars per month.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI maximum for 2024 is $943 per month for one person and $1,415 for a couple, and these amounts increase each January.
  • Your actual payment will be less than the maximum if you have income from work, Social Security, pensions, or other sources.
  • Some states add supplementary payments on top of the federal amount, so your total benefit depends partly on which state you live in.
  • The maximum amount is reduced by one dollar for every two dollars of unearned income you receive above a small monthly exclusion.

How the maximum is calculated and adjusted

The federal maximum is set by law and tied to something called the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA. Each year in October, the government measures whether prices for food, housing, and other necessities have gone up. If they have, the SSI maximum increases in January to match. If prices stayed flat or fell, the payment stays the same.

This means the maximum you can receive grows slowly over time, but not every year. Between 2020 and 2021, for example, there was no increase. In 2023, the increase was 8.7 percent because inflation had been high. The exact percentage varies year to year.

Why your actual payment is usually lower than the maximum

Most people who receive SSI do not get the full maximum amount. The payment is reduced if you have other money coming in. This includes wages from work, Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment benefits, or money from a job training program.

The reduction works in a specific way. If you earn money from work, SSI excludes the first $65 per month plus half of anything above that. So if you earn $100 a month, only $17.50 counts against your SSI payment ($100 minus $65 equals $35, divided by two equals $17.50). For other types of income like Social Security or a pension, there is usually no exclusion — the payment is reduced dollar for dollar.

You also cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Resources include savings, checking accounts, and some other assets. If you go over these limits, you lose SSI entirely until your resources drop back down.

State supplementary payments and how they change the maximum

Nineteen states and Washington D.C. add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements range from small amounts to several hundred dollars per month, depending on the state and whether you live alone or with others. California, for example, adds significantly more than many other states.

Three states — Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas — do not provide a state supplement at all, so recipients in those states receive only the federal maximum. If you move from one state to another, your total payment will change because the supplement changes. Some states also have different supplement amounts for people living in their own homes versus those in group living situations.

State supplements are not automatic. You typically have to be receiving federal SSI first, and then the state adds its portion. The state payment arrives either with your federal check or separately, depending on how that state's program is set up.

What happens to the maximum if you work

Working does not disqualify you from SSI, but it does reduce your payment. The first $65 of monthly earnings are not counted, and then half of the rest is subtracted from your SSI check. This means you can earn some money and still receive most of your benefit.

There is also a work incentive called Plan to Achieve Self-Support, or PASS, which lets you set aside money and resources for a specific work goal without losing SSI. For example, if you are saving for job training or a work-related expense, a PASS plan can protect that money from counting against your resource limit. You have to write a plan with a Social Security representative, but it can make a real difference if you are trying to increase your earnings.

How to find out what you will actually receive

The only way to know your exact payment is to contact Social Security directly or log into your online account at ssa.gov. Your payment depends on your specific income, resources, and which state you live in, so no general article can tell you the exact number.

You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can explain your payment amount and answer questions about how your income affects it. If you are already receiving SSI, your Social Security statement shows your current payment and explains any deductions. If you are thinking about working or receiving other income, Social Security can tell you in advance how it will affect your check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maximum SSI payment go up every year?

The maximum increases most years in January based on the cost of living, but not every year. If inflation is low or prices fall, the amount stays the same. The increase percentage varies depending on how much prices have risen.

If I live in a state with a supplement, do I automatically get it?

No. You have to be receiving federal SSI first. Once you are, the state supplement is usually added automatically, but you should confirm with your state's program that you are enrolled. Some states require a separate process for the state portion.

Can I receive the maximum SSI payment and also get Social Security retirement benefits?

You can receive both, but your SSI payment will be reduced by the full amount of your Social Security benefit. Many people receive a combination of both, but the total is usually less than the SSI maximum alone.

What counts as a resource that could make me lose SSI?

Resources include money in the bank, savings accounts, stocks, and some other assets. Your home and one vehicle do not count. If your countable resources exceed $2,000 (or $3,000 for a couple), you lose SSI until they drop back down.

If I earn money from work, how much can I make before I lose all my SSI?

There is no exact earnings limit where you suddenly lose all SSI. Your payment is reduced based on how much you earn, but you can work and still receive some benefit. The more you earn above the $65 exclusion, the less SSI you get, but you do not lose it all at once.