Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program. To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
A couple can get SSI if they have unearned income of less than $1,281 a month in 2022. Because a larger portion of earned income isn't counted, a person who gets SSI can earn up to $1,767 a month ($2,607 for a couple) and still get SSI.
In general, the income limit for SSI is the federal benefit rate (FBR), which is $794 per month for an individual and $1,191 per month for a couple in 2021. Remember, though, that not all income is countable, and so you can earn more than $794 per month and still qualify for SSI (more on this below).
And again, the income limit for an individual is $1,767, or $2,607 for a couple—if that income comes from wages.
If you go over the limit, a few not-good things can happen: If you are trying to apply, your application will be denied. If you are already on SSI, you may be come ineligible. You may be ineligible until you are back under the limit. You may owe money back.
WHAT IS THE RESOURCE LIMIT? The limit for countable resources is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
If you receive benefits through the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can check your bank account. They do this to verify that you still meet the program requirements. SSI is resource-specific and reserved for disabled people with limited means.
For 2022, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FBR is $841 per month for an eligible individual and $1,261 per month for an eligible couple. For 2022, the amount of earnings that will have no effect on eligibility or benefits for SSI beneficiaries who are students under age 22 is $8,230 a year.
The SSI Payment Formula
The Social Security Administration, known as SSA, figures your federal SSI benefit by deducting your countable unearned income and your countable earned income from the maximum Federal Benefit Amount of $783 for individuals and $1,175 for a couple. The remainder is your Federal Amount Payable.
Lottery winnings do not affect Social Security disability income (SSDI), but it can reduce or eliminate any Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some states have laws in place that remove people from public assistance programs such as food stamps or other welfare programs if they win the lottery.
If you have not reported income and evaded taxes for a lifetime, then you have no right to Social Security benefits.
If you're younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full Social Security benefits. If you're younger than full retirement age during all of 2022, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $19,560.
Does Social Security Prohibit Disability Recipients From Buying a House? Social Security doesn't prohibit individuals who receive disability benefits—under either the SSDI or SSI program—from purchasing a home or using their monthly disability payments to fund the purchase of a house.
As we explain in this blog post, SSI can check your bank accounts anywhere from every one year to six years, or when you experience certain life-changing experiences. The 2022 maximum amount of available financial resources for SSI eligibility remains at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
SSI and Social Security Benefits
They are not means-tested. If you pay into these programs, you are eligible to receive benefits. Income from working at a job or other source could affect Social Security and SSDI benefits. However, receiving an inheritance won't affect Social Security and SSDI benefits.
The SSDI program does not limit the amount of cash, assets, or resources an applicant owns. An SSDI applicant can own two houses, five cars, and have $1,000,000 in the bank. And the SSDI program doesn't have a limit to the amount of unearned income someone can bring in; for instance, dividends from investments.
While you can use your SSI benefits for virtually anything that's legal, you must be wary of using the money in ways that can increase your resources. For example, purchasing luxury items is not prohibited, but it can increase your assets and may push your resources past the limit.
The SSA is not concerned with the value of the vehicle. Owning one $20,000 car won't count hurt you. However, owning two cars that are valued at just over $1,000 will count against you. While that may seem odd, keep in mind that they are looking at this as if you could sell excess assets in order to pay bills, etc.
Money in a savings account, however, is a countable resource. That means you could be ineligible for SSI if your account contains more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple), or if it contains less but your total countable assets, including the savings, exceed those figures.
Receiving Social Security does not limit your resources or assets, including a savings account. SSI is need-based and restricts your resources unless you receive approval from Social Security.
There is, however, a limit on how much of your money is protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC insures bank accounts in the very rare event of a bank failure. As of 2022, the FDIC coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution.
According to one survey, multiple sclerosis and any type of cancer have the highest rate of approval at the initial stages of a disability application, hovering between 64-68%. Respiratory disorders and joint disease are second highest, at between 40-47%.
Making Statements That Can Hurt Your Claim – Unless you are specifically asked pertinent questions, do not talk about alcohol or drug use, criminal history, family members getting disability or unemployment, or similar topics. However, if you are asked directly about any of those topics, answer them truthfully.