What income is too high for SSI?

Asked by: Edgar Koch  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (68 votes)

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.

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.

How much can you work without losing SSI?

SEIE is an SSI work incentive that allows SSI recipients, who are students under age 22 and regularly attending school, to earn up to $$2,040 per month and still receive a full SSI check! There is an annual limit of $8,230 (2022 amounts).

What income is not counted towards SSI?

For example, if someone pays an individual's medical bills, or offers free medical care, or if the individual receives money from a social services agency that is a repayment of an amount he/she previously spent, that value is not considered income to the individual.

Can you have too much money for SSI?

To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. We call this the resource limit. Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit.

Is Your Income Too High While On Social Security?

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How much money can I make and still get my SSI?

A couple may get SSI if they have unearned income of less than $1,470 a month in 2025. Because a larger portion of earned income isn't counted, a person who gets SSI can earn up to $2,019 a month ($2,985 for a couple) and still get SSI.

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.

What would disqualify you from SSI?

SOMEONE WHO IS IN A PUBLIC INSTITUTION. If you are in any institution for a whole month that is run by a Federal, State, or local government, you are not eligible for SSI for that month unless an exception applies such as residence in a public emergency shelter for the homeless or publicly operated community residence.

Does household income affect SSI?

Generally, the more countable income you have, the less your SSI benefit will be. If your countable income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI benefits.

Does owning a car affect 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.

Can you have a job and still get SSI?

Under SSI rules, any income that you have may reduce your SSI payment. But, if you have an approved plan, you can use that income to pay for the items you need to reach your work goal. We don't count money set aside under the PASS when we decide your SSI payment amount. This means you may get a higher SSI payment.

How much does SSI allow for rent?

You can use the money you get from Social Security to pay for whatever you need—including paying for your utilities and rent. SSI doesn't have limits on how much you can spend for rent. Find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $4,018 per month and 12 months back pay.

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

It includes:
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
  • Special Senses and Speech, such as blindness and hearing loss.
  • Respiratory Disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and respiratory failure.
  • Cardiovascular System, such as hypertension and heart disease.

What can reduce SSI benefits?

For example, effective 09/30/2024, if someone helps pay for your rent, mortgage, or utilities, we may reduce the amount of your SSI. Also, if others in your household pay for or provide all of your meals and your shelter, we reduce the amount of your SSI.

Will I lose my SSI if I buy a house?

However, the SSI program does not include the value of a home in the total assets of its applicants or recipients, so buying a home in and of itself will not cause one to lose SSI.

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.

What income disqualifies you from SSI?

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

Will I lose my SSI if I move in with someone?

If you live in someone else's household and don't pay your food and shelter costs or pay only part of your food and shelter costs, your SSI benefit may be reduced by up to one–third of the SSI Federal benefit rate.

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 is the most approved disability for SSI?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What not to say in an SSI interview?

Here are a few things you should never say or do in a disability interview:
  • Don't lie about your symptoms.
  • Don't talk about undiagnosed conditions.
  • Don't go on tangents.
  • Don't be rude to your interviewer.

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 much money is too much for SSI?

In 2024, the income limit for an individual is $1,971. The limit for a couple is $2,915. The 2024 asset limits for individuals and couples are $2,000 and $3,000, respectively, and those asset limits do not change for 2025.

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.

What makes you lose SSI?

Payments may be suspended because the recipient has excess earnings, excess unearned income, excess resources, or a change in living arrangements. For the purposes of this book, individuals who have had their SSI payments suspended for 12 months or longer are considered terminated from the SSI program.