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

The federal base rate for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is set by the Social Security Administration and adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases. For 2024, that base rate is $943 monthly for a single person with no other income. If you live with others or receive support from family members, your payment may be lower. If you live in a state that adds its own supplement on top of the federal amount, your total payment will be higher.

This is the floor, not the ceiling. Your actual payment depends on three things: the federal base rate, whether your state supplements it, and whether your living situation triggers a reduction. Understanding which applies to you requires knowing both where you live and who you live with.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 federal SSI base rate is $943 per month for an individual, and increases annually based on cost-of-living adjustments.
  • Twenty-eight states add their own monthly supplement to the federal amount, ranging from a few dollars to over $200 depending on the state and your living situation.
  • If someone else pays for your food or housing, Social Security reduces your payment by one-third of the federal rate, currently $314 per month.
  • Your actual payment is determined by Social Security based on your state, living arrangement, and any in-kind support you receive.

How the federal base rate works and when it changes

Social Security announces the new federal SSI rate each October, effective January 1st of the following year. The increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation. In years with no inflation, the rate stays flat. In years with high inflation, the increase is larger.

The 2024 rate of $943 represents a 3.2% increase from 2023. The 2023 rate was $914. Before that, 2022 saw an 8.7% increase due to inflation that year. You cannot predict next year's rate until Social Security publishes it in October, but you can see the historical pattern on the Social Security website under "SSI Federal Payment Amounts."

State supplements that add to the federal minimum

Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C. pay a state supplement on top of the federal $943. The amount varies widely. Some states add only $10 to $20 per month. Others add $100 to $200 or more. California, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont are among the states with the largest supplements.

State supplements also vary based on your living situation. A person living alone may receive a different supplement amount than someone living with family or in a group home. Some states have one flat supplement rate; others have three or four different rates depending on whether you pay for your own food and housing.

If you live in a state with no supplement—including Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina—your payment is the federal base rate only. If you move to a different state, your payment amount may change. You should contact your local Social Security office or your state's SSI program administrator to learn the exact supplement for your situation.

Reductions when someone else pays for your food or housing

If you live in someone else's household and they pay for your food or housing, Social Security reduces your SSI payment. This reduction is called in-kind support and maintenance (ISM). The reduction is one-third of the federal base rate, which in 2024 equals $314 per month.

The reduction applies whether the support is intentional or not. If your adult child pays the mortgage and you live in their home, your payment drops by $314. If a friend covers your grocery bills, the same reduction applies. The reduction does not change based on how much the person actually spends on your food or housing—it is a flat one-third of the federal rate.

There are narrow exceptions. If you live in a public institution (like a hospital or nursing home), the reduction does not explore. If you live in a group home and the home receives a federal or state subsidy to cover your food and housing, the reduction may not explore—this depends on the specific subsidy and your state's rules. Ask your Social Security caseworker whether your living situation triggers a reduction.

How to find out your specific payment amount

Your payment is determined by Social Security based on your individual circumstances. You can see your current payment amount in your Social Security account online at ssa.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person.

When you contact Social Security, have ready: your state of residence, your living situation (living alone, with family, in a group home, etc.), and whether anyone else pays for your food or housing. These details determine whether you receive the federal rate only, a state supplement, a reduction for in-kind support, or a combination of these.

What happens to your payment if you move or your living situation changes

If you move to a different state, your payment may increase or decrease depending on whether that state has a supplement and how much it is. If your living situation changes—for example, you move out of someone's home and rent your own apartment—your payment may increase because the in-kind support reduction no longer applies. If you move in with family, the opposite happens.

You must report changes to Social Security within 10 days. Changes that affect your payment include moving to a new address, moving in or out of someone's household, starting or stopping to receive food or housing support from someone else, and moving to a different state. Social Security will recalculate your payment based on the new situation.

The difference between SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSI has a federal minimum payment amount because it is a needs-based program—you must have low income and resources to receive it. The payment is the same for everyone at the federal level (before state supplements), regardless of your work history.

SSDI, by contrast, is based on your work record and the taxes you or a family member paid into Social Security. SSDI payments vary widely and have no federal minimum. Some people receive $400 per month; others receive $3,000 or more. If you receive SSDI, the amount depends on your earnings history, not on the federal base rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SSI payment increase automatically each year?

Yes. Social Security adjusts the federal base rate each January based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. You do not need to do anything—the increase happens automatically. Your state supplement, if you receive one, may also increase, but the timing and amount vary by state.

Can I receive SSI if I have a job?

Yes, but your payment will be reduced based on your earnings. SSI allows you to earn money and still receive a partial payment. The first $65 per month of earnings is not counted, and then half of earnings above that are subtracted from your SSI payment. Work incentives like Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you keep more of your payment while working.

What if I receive both SSI and SSDI?

Some people receive both, though it is uncommon. If you do, Social Security counts your SSDI payment as income and reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar. You would receive the full SSDI amount plus whatever SSI remains after the reduction.

Does living with a spouse affect my SSI payment?

Yes. If you are married and both receive SSI, each person's federal base rate is lower—$708 per person in 2024, instead of $943. If only one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse's income and resources count toward the SSI recipient's limits, which may reduce or eliminate the payment.

What if my state does not have a supplement?

Your payment is the federal base rate of $943 per month in 2024, minus any reduction for in-kind support if someone else pays for your food or housing. You receive no additional state money. Some states without a state supplement offer other help through different programs, so ask your local social services office what else may be available.