Can I sell my car while on SSI?

Asked by: Sally Upton  |  Last update: August 4, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (66 votes)

To become eligible for conditional SSI while you sell a vehicle, you need to get the “Agreement to Sell Property” form from your local SSA office. Fill it out, submit it, and make sure the SSA accepts it.

Will selling my car affect my SSI?

The amount of SSDI/SSI you get is not at all based on your car payment. Selling your car will not affect it.

How much can your car be worth if you're on SSI?

The SSA doesn't place a specific value limit on your primary vehicle, but it must be used for essential purposes like personal transportation, work, or medical needs. If you own additional vehicles, their value could impact your eligibility depending on how they're used and their worth.

Can you sell things while on SSI?

You do not need to report selling of personal goods as it's not a countable resource that can be converted to cash. In other words, SSI does not count it as a 'cash resource' --plainly put. So if you hoard clothing and you need money, you can sell your clothes at a loss.

Can I sell my car if I'm on disability?

Selling your house, car, or other property while you're on Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) won't affect your benefits at all.

Can u buy a car while on SSI?

17 related questions found

Will SSI know if I buy a car?

When it comes to SSI, assets are a big consideration. If you have multiple properties, it can count against you. The same is true for multiple cars. For instance, if you have more than one car, the SSA will count the second vehicle against you when determining whether you meet the needs-based criteria.

Will I lose SSI if I sell my house?

If they have less than $2,000 after the new purchase, they'll retain their benefits. If they keep the cash from the sale and don't buy a new home within three months or if they do and end up with more than $2,000, they'll forfeit their SSI eligibility for every month their cash exceeds that threshold.

What is the $1000 rule for SSI?

Where the overpayment is $2,000 or less and you file a request for reconsideration or waiver, Social Security will waive any collection of the over-payment (unless you were at fault in creating the overpayment). This is known as the SSI $1,000 Rule.

Can SSI see what you buy?

It does not scrutinize or restrict specific items or transactions. Therefore, beneficiaries can use their SSI funds for various purchases according to their personal needs and preferences.

What happens if you have more than $2000 in the bank on SSI?

If the value of your resources that we count is over the allowable limit at the beginning of the month, you cannot receive SSI for that month. If you decide to sell the excess resources for what they are worth, you may receive SSI beginning the month after you sell the excess resources.

Can you own a car while on SSI?

Yes. A person who receives SSI can own a car and keep their benefits. However, there are limitations on ownership. According to the Social Security Administration, beneficiaries can own one car if they use it to transport themselves or other family members.

What assets are not counted for SSI?

Generally, things that don't count toward your resource limit include: Your home and the land it's on, as long as you live there. 1 vehicle per household. Most personal belongings and household goods.

How much can a car be worth on SSI?

The value of the things you own must be less than $2,000 if you're single or less than $3,000 for married couples living together. We don't count the value of your home if you live in it, and, usually, we don't count the value of your car. We may not count the value of certain other resources, such as a burial plot.

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

Do I have to report a new car to SSI?

The SSA lets you keep one car without it affecting your resources total, even if it is the latest model with all the bells and whistles. Specifically, the SSA says one car won't count toward your resources limit if you or someone in your household uses the vehicle for transportation.

How do you know if SSI is investigating you?

What are the signs that Social Security is investigating you? Signs may include increased communication from the SSA, requests for documentation, discrepancies in records, monitoring of changes in your circumstances, patterns of claims, interviews or home visits, and suspicious activity reports.

What can SSI not be used for?

It cannot be used for basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and personal items that the monthly SSI benefit is intended to pay for. The representative payee must keep records of how the dedi- cated account money is spent. SSA will ask for annual reports on how funds were disbursed from the dedicated account.

How often does SSI check your resources?

SSI Reviews: Periodically, the SSA reassesses whether beneficiaries still qualify for the program. Depending on individual circumstances, this can occur as often as annually or as infrequently as every six years, and it often includes examining bank accounts.

What income is too high for SSI?

SSI is generally for individuals who don't earn more than $2,019 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.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

How does SSI know you're in jail?

The jail or prison should report to Social Security that you are there and your expected release date. It's still a good idea to tell Social Security in advance yourself, if you can. If Social Security does not know you are in jail or prison, they may keep sending your checks.

Can I sell things while on disability?

While you are trying to sell real property, you can receive SSI benefits for up to 9 months under certain conditions. While you are trying to sell personal property, you can receive SSI benefits for up to 3 months. We may pay you even longer if you meet certain conditions.

What can stop my SSI benefits?

Exit from the SSI program can be due to death, medical recovery, excess income (earned or unearned), excess resources, or a change in living arrangements. In many cases, for instance when dealing with excess income, payments are suspended.

Can you collect SSI and own a home?

A home owned by a person with disabilities or their special needs trust does not disqualify the individual from SSI benefits. Furthermore, purchases of some household goods are not considered shelter.