The federal SSI payment maximum for 2024

The highest monthly payment the federal government sends under Supplemental Security Income is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple (both members receiving SSI). These are the 2024 amounts. The federal rate increases each year in January based on cost-of-living adjustments, so the 2025 amount will be higher.

Not everyone gets the maximum. Your actual payment depends on your countable income — money from work, pensions, Social Security, or other sources. SSI reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above $65 per month from work, and by $1 for every $1 of other income above $20 per month. If your countable income is high enough, you may receive nothing from SSI even though you are receiving the program.

The federal maximum is a ceiling, not a may provide. Your state may also add money on top of the federal payment through a state supplementary program, which means your total monthly payment could exceed the federal maximum. Some states add nothing; others add $50 to $200 or more per month depending on your living situation and household composition.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 federal SSI maximum is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple, with increases each January based on cost-of-living adjustments.
  • Your actual payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar by non-work income above $20 per month and by 50 cents for every dollar of work income above $65 per month.
  • Many states add supplementary payments on top of the federal amount, ranging from nothing to several hundred dollars depending on your state and living arrangement.
  • You can find your state's supplementary rate by contacting your local SSA office or checking your state's human services website.

How income reduces your SSI payment

SSI uses a specific formula to count your income. The first $20 of any unearned income (such as pensions, gifts, or other benefits) is not counted. After that, every dollar of unearned income reduces your SSI payment by $1. If you receive Social Security, a pension, or unemployment, this rule applies to those amounts.

Work income is treated differently. The first $65 of monthly earnings is not counted, and then SSI ignores the next $30 of earnings. After that, every $2 you earn reduces your payment by $1. This means you can work and still receive some SSI, but as your earnings rise, your SSI payment falls. Once your countable income reaches the federal maximum ($943 for an individual in 2024), you receive $0 from SSI that month.

Income is counted in the month you receive it, not the month you earned it. If you receive a bonus or a large gift in one month, your SSI payment for that month will be reduced or eliminated. Plan ahead if you expect irregular income.

State supplementary payments and how they work

Thirty-one states and Washington D.C. operate their own supplementary payment programs for SSI recipients. These programs add money to your federal SSI check. The amount varies by state and often depends on whether you live alone, with family, or in a care facility.

Some states pay the same amount to everyone; others have different rates for different living situations. For example, one state might pay $100 per month to someone living independently but $50 per month to someone living with family. A few states pay nothing. The only way to know what your state adds is to ask your local Social Security office or visit your state's human services website.

State supplementary income is counted as unearned income for SSI purposes, so it follows the same income-counting rules as the federal payment. If your state adds $100 per month and you have other unearned income, that $100 is part of your total countable income.

How to find out what you will receive

Your Social Security statement shows your current federal SSI payment amount. If you receive state supplementary payments, that amount appears on a separate check or on the same check as your federal payment, depending on your state's system. You can view your payment details by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.

To find your state's supplementary rate, call your local Social Security office and ask what your state pays. You can find the office nearest you on ssa.gov. Alternatively, contact your state's human services or social services department directly — they administer the state supplementary program and can tell you exactly what you will receive based on your living situation.

If you are not yet receiving SSI but think you may be may be able to access, the Social Security office can estimate what you might receive based on your income and living arrangement. This estimate helps you understand whether SSI will meaningfully help with your expenses.

Cost-of-living adjustments and when they happen

The federal SSI maximum increases each January if there has been inflation during the previous year. The increase is called a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In recent years, increases have ranged from 0% (in years with no inflation) to 8.7% (in 2023). The 2024 increase was 3.2%, which is why the 2024 maximum is higher than 2023.

Social Security announces the new SSI amount in October of each year, and the increase takes effect on January 1. Your payment will automatically increase on that date if you are receiving SSI. You do not need to do anything. Some states also increase their supplementary payments in January, though not all do.

The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index and is the same for all SSI recipients nationwide. Your individual payment may not increase by the full COLA amount if your income has risen during the year, because higher income reduces your SSI payment.

What happens if you work while receiving SSI

You can work and receive SSI at the same time because of the work incentive rules built into the program. The first $65 of your monthly earnings is not counted, and SSI ignores the next $30. After that, every $2 you earn reduces your SSI payment by $1. This means you can earn up to roughly $1,900 per month and still receive some SSI, depending on your other income.

If you are working and your earnings are close to the SSI maximum, report your income accurately each month. Underreporting can lead to an overpayment that you will have to repay. Social Security can forgive some overpayments if you report the error yourself, but it is better to report correctly from the start.

Some people use SSI work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to set aside income for a specific work goal without it counting against your SSI payment. This is a separate program that requires a written plan, but it can help you save money while working toward a goal like starting a business or completing education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SSI maximum include state supplementary payments?

No. The federal maximum of $943 (individual) or $1,415 (couple) in 2024 is the federal portion only. State supplementary payments are added on top of that amount. Your total monthly payment could be higher than the federal maximum if your state adds supplementary income.

What if I receive both Social Security and SSI?

Your Social Security payment counts as unearned income and reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after the first $20. Many people receive both, but the SSI amount is lower because of the Social Security income. The total of both payments is usually less than either payment would be alone.

Can I receive the maximum SSI payment if I have a job?

Possibly, depending on how much you earn. The work incentive rules allow you to earn $65 per month without it counting, plus another $30 that is ignored. After that, every $2 you earn reduces your SSI by $1. If your earnings are low enough, you can still receive the full federal maximum, but most people who work receive a reduced SSI payment.

Will my SSI payment increase in 2025?

Yes, if there was inflation in 2024. Social Security will announce the 2025 COLA in October 2024, and the new amount takes effect January 1, 2025. The exact increase depends on the inflation rate and is the same for all SSI recipients.

How do I report a change in my income to SSI?

Contact your local Social Security office by phone, mail, or in person. You can also report changes through your my Social Security account online. Report changes within 10 days of when they happen to avoid overpayments. If you work, you may need to report your earnings each month depending on your state's rules.