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Who can get SSI

Adults and children might be eligible for SSI if they have: 

  1. Little or no income, and 
  2. Little or no resources, and 
  3. A disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older. 

1. You have little or no income (like wages and Social Security benefits)

SSI is generally for individuals who don’t earn more than $1,971 from work each month. The income limit increases for couples and when parents apply for children. We also look at other sources of income besides your job, like disability benefits, unemployment, and pensions. 

See the income limits for SSI eligibility

Learn what doesn’t count toward your income limits

2. You have little or no resources (things you own)

Common resources are vehicles and money in bank accounts. Your resources should not be more than: 

  • $2,000 for individuals
  • $3,000 for couples 

If you’re a parent applying for a child, these numbers increase by $2,000.

Learn what doesn’t count toward your resource limit

3. You have a disability or are age 65 or older

If you’re age 64 or younger, you must have a disability that: 

  • Affects your ability to work for a year or more, or 
  • Will result in death, or 
  • Severely limits daily activity (for children with disabilities).

If you have a disability, you’ll also need to prove you’ve earned less than $1,550 from work per month in the month you’re applying. Citizens ages 65 or older don’t need to have a disability to get SSI. 

Learn more about disability and age requirements

Additional rules for noncitizens

There are other qualifications for noncitizens besides income, resources, and age or disability. 

Learn about noncitizen eligibility for SSI