The federal SSI payment amount for 2025
The maximum federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment for 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 per month for a couple. These amounts increase each year based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which the Social Security Administration announces in October for the following year. The 2025 increase was 2.5 percent over 2024.
Your actual payment may be lower than the maximum if you have other income or resources. SSI counts wages, pensions, unemployment benefits, and some other money as income that reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar after the first $65 per month plus half of remaining earnings. The program also has resource limits: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 2025. Money above those limits makes you ineligible.
If you receive both SSI and Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your SSI payment makes up the difference between what Social Security pays and the SSI federal maximum. This is called the federal benefit rate (FBR).
Key Takeaways
- The maximum federal SSI payment in 2025 is $943 monthly for one person and $1,415 for a couple, and these amounts rose 2.5 percent from 2024.
- Your actual payment is reduced by other income you receive, starting after the first $65 per month in earnings.
- SSI has resource limits of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples; money above those limits makes you ineligible.
- Many states add their own supplementary payment on top of the federal amount, which varies by state and household type.
- Your payment arrives on the same day each month, usually the first, third, or fourth Wednesday depending on your birth date.
How state supplementary payments change the total
Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C. add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplementary payments (SSP) vary widely by state and by whether you live alone, with family, or in a care facility. Some states pay an extra $50 to $100 per month; others pay significantly more. California, for example, pays substantially higher supplements than most other states.
The Social Security Administration manages the state supplement for most states, meaning it is added to your federal payment automatically. A few states (California, New York, and Massachusetts) run their own supplement programs and pay you separately. If you live in a state with a supplement, your total monthly payment will be higher than the federal maximum, but you need to know your specific state's amount to know what you will receive.
If you move to a different state, your supplement amount changes on the first day of the following month. This can be a significant change, so it is worth checking what your new state pays before you move.
When and how you receive your payment
SSI payments are deposited directly to your bank account, prepaid card, or other financial institution on a set schedule. The payment date depends on your birth date: people born on the 1st through the 10th of any month receive payment on the second Wednesday of each month; those born on the 11th through the 20th receive it on the third Wednesday; and those born on the 21st through the 31st receive it on the fourth Wednesday. If a scheduled payment date falls on a federal holiday, you receive the payment the business day before.
You must have a bank account or approved payment method to receive SSI. If you do not have a bank account, you can use a representative payee account, a special account set up by someone authorized to manage your benefits, or a Direct Express prepaid card issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Your payment arrives on the same date every month. If you do not receive your payment on the expected date, contact the Social Security Administration within 10 days to report it missing.
How your income affects your monthly payment
SSI reduces your payment based on income you receive from work or other sources. The first $65 per month in earned income (wages from a job) does not count against you. After that, SSI subtracts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn. Unearned income—such as pensions, unemployment, or money from family members—counts dollar-for-dollar after the first $20 per month.
If you work, you can report your earnings to Social Security each month, and they will adjust your payment accordingly. Some people receiving SSI work part-time specifically because the income exclusions mean they can earn money without losing their entire benefit. However, if your total income (including the SSI payment) exceeds the federal maximum, your SSI payment stops.
You must report changes in income within 10 days. If you do not report and Social Security discovers you received more than you were may have access to to, you will owe the overpayment back, though the agency can sometimes negotiate a repayment plan.
Resource limits and what counts as a resource
SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own and still receive benefits. In 2025, the limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own. Your home and one vehicle do not count toward the limit, nor do certain items like household goods and personal effects.
If your resources exceed the limit, you become ineligible for SSI until your resources drop back below it. This is different from income, which is money you receive regularly; resources are things you already own. Some people intentionally spend down resources to become or remain may be able to access for SSI, though you cannot give money away to a family member just to lower your resources—Social Security considers that a transfer and may penalize you.
If you inherit money or receive a lump-sum payment, report it to Social Security immediately. They can tell you whether it affects your benefits and for how long.
Cost-of-living adjustments and when they take effect
Every year in October, the Social Security Administration announces the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the following year. This percentage increase is based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index. The 2025 COLA of 2.5 percent was lower than the 2024 increase of 3.2 percent, reflecting lower inflation.
The new payment amount takes effect on January 1 each year. If you receive both SSI and Social Security, both payments increase by the same percentage. Your state supplement may or may not increase by the same amount; some states adjust their supplements annually, while others do not.
You do not need to do anything to receive the COLA increase. It is applied automatically to your account. Social Security mails a notice in December showing your new payment amount for January.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SSI and Social Security disability?
SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and resources; Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your work history and contributions to Social Security. You can receive both, and many people do. SSI has income and resource limits; SSDI does not. SSDI payments are typically higher.
Do I have to pay taxes on my SSI payment?
No. SSI payments are not taxable income and do not count toward the income threshold that determines whether you must file a tax return. However, other income you receive (wages, pensions, interest) may be taxable.
What happens to my SSI if I go to jail or prison?
Your SSI payment stops if you are in jail or prison for more than 30 days. It resumes the month after you are released. You must notify Social Security of your incarceration; the agency may find out through other means, but reporting it yourself prevents overpayments.
Can I receive SSI if I am not a U.S. citizen?
You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen to receive SSI. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access. Your immigration status is verified through the Department of Homeland Security.
How do I report a change in my living situation to Social Security?
Contact your local Social Security office by phone, mail, or in person. Changes that affect your payment include moving, changes in household composition, and changes in who pays for your food or housing. Report changes within 10 days to avoid overpayments.