5 Big Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Changes That Impact Everyone

For millions of Americans, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers crucial financial support. If you rely on SSI or are considering applying, recent changes to the program could significantly impact your benefits.

The new updates aim to expand eligibility, increase payment amounts, and simplify certain processes for beneficiaries.

Here is what you need to know about how SSI is evolving to better serve you and help lower your financial stress.

SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to qualifying individuals who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled. To qualify, you must have limited income and resources.

Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI is not based on the prior work history of you or a family member. The program is funded through general tax revenues, making it an essential safety net for vulnerable populations.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for SSI payments in 2025.

This adjustment accounts for inflation, ensuring recipients maintain their purchasing power as the cost of living rises.

In 2025, the federal maximum SSI payment will increase to $967 per month for individuals, $1,450 per month for couples, and $484 per month for an essential person, which is someone who lives with an SSI beneficiary and provides help that amounts to essential care.

The SSA has expanded access to SSI by updating its definition of a "public assistance household."

The definition of a public assistance household has been expanded to include households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

The expanded access also includes households where not all members receive public assistance. Previously, everyone in a household had to receive public assistance in order for the household to qualify for SSI.

Previously, receiving food aid such as SNAP benefits could reduce the amount of SSI you were eligible to receive. Now, food aid is no longer considered income for SSI calculations.

This adjustment ensures that beneficiaries can maximize their SSI payments without being penalized for relying on food assistance programs to meet their basic needs.

In the past, receiving rental assistance or living in subsidized housing could significantly reduce the amount of SSI you received. The SSA has changed its policy to minimize the impact of discounted rent or rental aid on SSI eligibility and payment amounts.

This nationwide change — previously limited to a handful of states such as Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin — means more beneficiaries can live in affordable housing without worrying about losing a large portion of their benefits.

Sometimes, SSI recipients are overpaid by the SSA due to administrative errors or changes in income that aren't reported in time. Fortunately, things are now easier for SSI recipients when an error is made.

Beneficiaries now can more easily request waivers for these overpayments, avoiding having to repay in cases where they acted in good faith.

Additionally, the SSA has increased the threshold for underpayments that can be resolved without additional administrative approval from $5,000 to $15,000, helping to address backlogs and streamline resolutions.

These recent changes to Supplemental Security Income aim to make the program more supportive of those who need it most.

Whether it’s higher payments, expanded eligibility, or simplified processes, the updates reflect a commitment to reducing financial stress for beneficiaries.

Staying informed about these changes is a crucial step toward helping you to build your wealth so you can ensure a more secure future.