SPOTLIGHT ON LIVING ARRANGEMENTS -- 2024 Edition

DOES WHERE I LIVE AFFECT HOW MUCH SSI I CAN GET?

Yes, it can. If you live in your own place and pay your own shelter costs, regardless of whether you own or rent, you may get up to the maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) amount payable in your State. You also can get up to the maximum if you live in someone else's household as long as you pay your shelter costs. If you live in someone else's household and don't pay your shelter costs or pay only part of your shelter costs, your SSI benefit may be reduced by up to one–third of the SSI Federal benefit rate.

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WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE HELPS PAY MY LIVING EXPENSES?

Effective 09/30/2024, if someone else helps pay for your living expenses, the following applies.

We will not reduce your SSI Payment when:

  • Others in your household pay for or provide you with all of your meals, but not your shelter; or
  • Others outside of your household pay for your food or provide you with all of your meals; or
  • Your spouse who is living with you provides your food and shelter; or
  • You are a minor child and a parent or parents who live with you provide your food and shelter.

We will reduce your SSI Payment when:

  • Others in your household pay for or provide you with all of your meals and your shelter expenses; or
  • Others inside or outside of your household pay for your shelter expenses.
For example, John is an eligible SSI recipient who lives with his brother Paul. Paul does all of the grocery shopping and pays for the food for John and himself. However, once a week John has dinner outside of the home. Because John does not receive ALL meals from within his household, his SSI check would not be effected by the receipt of food.

NOTE Prior to 09/30/2024, food or shelter are included in the ISM calculations; and the receipt of food from inside or outside the home is counted as ISM.

There is a limit on how much shelter we may count. The limit is one–third of the maximum Federal SSI amount payable for a month, plus $20.

We do not consider items you receive that you cannot use for food or shelter as income. For example, if someone buys you a household or personal item, such as a small kitchen appliance, clothing, or a piece of jewelry of modest value, we will not reduce your SSI benefit.

NOTE If a person gives you cash or a gift card to pay for your food, the value of those items is considered unearned income.

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE IN INSTITUTIONS?

Generally, people who live in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons or jails are not eligible for SSI or are only eligible for a maximum of $30 a month (some States supplement this $30 benefit). However, there are some exceptions. For more information about one of these exceptions, please see the SSI Spotlight on Continued SSI Benefits for Persons Who are Temporarily Institutionalized.

WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS?

Having a permanent residence is not a requirement for receiving SSI. If you are homeless, you may receive up to the maximum SSI amount payable in your state. In addition, if you are receiving SSI benefits, you may be able to receive subsidized housing.

If you live in a public shelter, you can receive SSI benefits for up to 6 months out of any 9 months that you live there. For more information on homelessness see the SSI Spotlight on Homelessness.


THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1–800–772–1213 (TTY 1–800–325–0778),
VISIT OUR WEBSITE (www.ssa.gov) ON THE INTERNET,
OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.