SSI Benefits Calculator
Estimate your monthly SSI payment based on income, resources, and living arrangement.
Benefit Calculation Breakdown
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This calculator estimates your monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment. SSI provides cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Here is how to use it:
- Enter your unearned income. This includes Social Security retirement or disability benefits (SSDI), pensions, annuities, VA benefits, and any other income you receive without working.
- Enter your earned income. This includes wages, salary, and net self-employment income. SSI treats earned income more favorably than unearned income.
- Enter your total resources. Countable resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, and other assets. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, and burial funds up to $1,500 are generally excluded.
- Select your living arrangement. If you live in someone else's household and they help pay for your food or shelter, SSI reduces your benefit by roughly one-third.
- Check applicable boxes. Eligible couples both receiving SSI have a higher combined benefit rate. Blind individuals have a higher Substantial Gainful Activity limit.
About Supplemental Security Income
SSI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly payments to people who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and who have limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security (SSDI), SSI is not based on work history. It is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes.
For 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment is $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for an eligible couple. Many states add a state supplement on top of the federal benefit. SSI counts income using specific exclusions: the first $20 of most income is excluded, and for earned income, an additional $65 plus half the remainder is excluded.
Why This Matters
SSI serves approximately 7.5 million Americans, including about 1.1 million children with disabilities. The federal benefit rate is indexed to inflation through annual COLA adjustments. SSI recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid in most states. Understanding how income exclusions work is important because many SSI recipients can work part-time and still receive a partial SSI payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum SSI payment for 2026?
The maximum federal SSI payment for 2026 is $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for an eligible couple. Many states provide additional supplements. The actual payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar by countable income after exclusions.
What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is an earned benefit based on your work history and payroll tax contributions. You can potentially receive both if you qualify for SSDI but your SSDI payment is low enough. SSI recipients get Medicaid; SSDI recipients get Medicare after 24 months.
Can I work and still get SSI?
Yes. SSI has work incentives that allow you to earn income and still receive benefits. The first $65 of earned income plus half the remainder is excluded from countable income. For example, if you earn $500/month, only $217.50 counts against your SSI ($500 - $65 = $435, divided by 2 = $217.50). Your SSI payment is reduced by the countable amount but you keep more total income by working.
What resources count against the SSI limit?
Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you could sell for cash. Excluded resources include your primary home, one vehicle (regardless of value), household goods, personal effects, life insurance with face value under $1,500, burial funds up to $1,500, and property essential for self-support. The resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.