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

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate — the baseline payment amount — is $943 per month for a single person in 2024. A couple where both receive SSI gets $1,415 combined. These are the minimum amounts the federal government guarantees; your actual payment may be higher if your state adds money on top, or lower if you have other income that counts against SSI.

The federal rate increases each year in January based on cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). The 2024 increase was 3.2 percent from 2023. Future increases depend on inflation and are announced by the Social Security Administration in October of the prior year.

What you receive depends on three things: the federal base rate, whether your state supplements it, and how much other income you have. A person in a state with no supplement who has no other income receives exactly $943. A person in a state that adds $100 monthly receives $1,043. A person with $200 in monthly earnings may receive less because SSI counts part of that income against the payment.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal SSI minimum is $943 per month for one person in 2024, and this amount rises each January based on inflation.
  • Your actual payment is lower if you have other income — wages, pensions, or benefits from other programs — because SSI subtracts part of it from your monthly check.
  • Twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. add their own money to the federal rate, so residents of those states receive more than $943 if they have no other income.
  • The SSI payment is the same whether you are receiving it for age, blindness, or disability — the category does not change the dollar amount.
  • You can find your state's supplement amount and your own payment on your Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How state supplements change your monthly amount

Twenty-nine states plus Washington D.C. provide supplementary payments on top of the federal $943. These state supplements range from a few dollars to over $200 per month, depending on where you live and your household situation. California, for example, adds $70.10 for a single person living independently. New York adds $87. Some states have higher supplements for people living in their own home versus those in a care facility.

If you live in a state with no supplement — including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and others — you receive only the federal amount (minus any income you have). If you move to a different state, your payment may change because the new state's supplement rules apply to you.

You can find your state's current supplement amounts on the Social Security Administration website under "State Supplement Payments" or by calling your local Social Security office. The amounts change yearly, usually in January along with the federal COLA.

Why your payment might be less than the minimum

The $943 federal rate is the maximum you can receive if you have zero other income. Most SSI recipients receive less because SSI counts other money against the payment. This is called the income limit. SSI allows you to earn or receive some income without losing the full benefit, but above a certain point, the payment shrinks dollar-for-dollar.

Unearned income — such as a pension, Social Security benefit, or money from a family member — is counted almost entirely. If you receive a $200 monthly pension, your SSI payment drops by $200 (or to zero if the pension is $943 or more). Earned income from work is treated more favorably: SSI ignores the first $65 per month you earn, then counts only half of the rest. If you earn $200 per month, SSI counts only $67.50 against your payment ($200 minus $65, then half of $135).

In-kind support — such as food or shelter paid for by someone else — also reduces your SSI check, though the rules are complex and vary by situation. If someone buys your groceries, SSI may reduce your payment by up to one-third of the federal rate.

Payments for couples and people in your household

If you and your spouse both receive SSI, the federal minimum for the couple is $1,415 per month in 2024. This is not $943 times two; it is a lower combined rate. Each person's portion depends on their own income and resources.

If you are a child under 18 living with parents, your SSI payment is reduced based on your parents' income and resources — a rule called parental deeming. The reduction can be substantial. A child whose parents earn $3,000 per month may receive little or no SSI, even though the child's own income is zero.

If you live in someone else's household and they pay for your food or shelter, your SSI payment is reduced by up to one-third of the federal rate ($314.33 in 2024). This reduction is called in-kind support and maintenance. If you pay your share of household expenses, the reduction may not apply.

How to find out what you will actually receive

Your official SSI payment amount appears on your Social Security statement, which you can view anytime by logging into your account at ssa.gov. The statement shows your federal benefit rate, your state supplement (if any), and any reductions based on your income. It updates when your circumstances change.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to a representative. They can tell you your current payment, explain why it is higher or lower than the federal minimum, and answer questions about how work income or other money affects your check.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID. Staff can print your payment history and explain any deductions or supplements.

When the minimum payment changes each year

The federal SSI minimum increases in January each year if there has been inflation. The increase is called a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In January 2024, the COLA was 3.2 percent, raising the individual rate from $914 to $943. In January 2023, it was 8.7 percent — the largest increase in four decades.

The Social Security Administration announces the new COLA amount in October of the prior year. This means you find out your 2025 payment increase in October 2024. The new amount takes effect January 1 and appears in your first payment of the new year.

State supplements usually increase at the same time, though the amount varies by state. Some states tie their supplement to the federal COLA; others set their own increase. Check with your state's social services department or Social Security office to learn when your state's supplement changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if I have a job?

Yes. SSI counts only half of your earnings above $65 per month, so you can work and still receive a payment. If you earn $300 per month, SSI counts $117.50 against your benefit ($300 minus $65, then half of $135). You would receive $825.50 instead of $943. Work incentives like Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you earn more without losing SSI.

What if I receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI?

You can receive both, but SSDI counts as income against SSI. If your SSDI payment is $800 per month, your SSI payment is reduced by $800. Most people who receive both get a small SSI payment to bring their total up to a certain level, which varies by state. This is called deemed income.

Does the SSI payment go up if I turn 65?

No. The federal minimum is the same whether you receive SSI for age, blindness, or disability. At 65, you may become may be able to access for a small Social Security retirement benefit instead of SSI, but the monthly amount does not automatically increase just because of your age.

What happens to my SSI if I move to a different state?

Your federal payment stays the same, but your state supplement changes based on your new state's rules. If you move from a state with a $100 supplement to a state with no supplement, your total payment drops by $100. Some states have waiting periods before they begin paying a supplement to new residents, so check before you move.

Can I receive back pay if my SSI was too low in the past?

Only if Social Security made an error in calculating your payment. If you believe you were underpaid, contact Social Security and ask for a payment review. You have a right to request reconsideration if you disagree with any decision about your benefit amount.