Retirement and Social Security
Definition
A monthly federal payment for people with very limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind or disabled.
What it means
SSI is run by the Social Security Administration but is paid from general tax revenue, not Social Security taxes, and does not require work credits. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, blind or disabled, have limited income, and have countable resources of no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Your home and usually one car do not count. In 2026, the maximum federal payment is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple, and some states add a supplement. Payments are reduced by other countable income. Most noncitizens must meet specific immigration status and other conditions. In most states, SSI recipients also qualify for Medicaid. Recipients must report income and resource changes each month.
Example
An eligible person with $400 a month of Social Security and no other income generally receives $994 - ($400 - $20 general exclusion) = $614 in federal SSI in 2026.
Illustrative numbers only. Your situation will differ.