What SSI Payments Look Like for Older Adults
SSI payment amounts change every year and depend on your living situation
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people 65 and older is a monthly payment from Social Security, but the amount you receive is not fixed. The federal payment starts at a base rate that Social Security adjusts each January based on inflation. For 2024, the maximum federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual living independently, though many states add their own supplement on top of that.
Your actual payment will likely be lower than the maximum because SSI counts other income you have — including wages, pensions, and some benefits — and reduces your SSI dollar-for-dollar based on what you earn. Your living situation also matters: if you live with family who provide food or shelter, your payment drops. If you live in a care facility, it drops further. The only way to know what you would actually receive is to contact Social Security directly or work with a local aging services office that can run the numbers for your specific circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- The maximum federal SSI payment for 2024 is $943 per month for a single older adult living independently, but many states add additional money on top.
- Your payment amount shrinks if you have other income, live with family members who pay for your food or housing, or live in a facility that provides meals.
- Social Security adjusts the base payment amount each January, so what you receive this year may differ next year.
- Your state's supplement (if one exists) depends on where you live, and some states do not offer a state supplement at all.
- The only accurate way to learn your personal payment amount is to contact Social Security or a local aging services office with details about your income and living situation.
How Social Security calculates your monthly payment
Social Security starts with the federal base amount and then subtracts any income you report. The first $65 of monthly earnings and half of anything above that do not count against you, but pensions, annuities, and most other income reduce your SSI dollar-for-dollar. If you have a spouse who also receives SSI, Social Security counts both of your incomes together and pays you as a couple.
Your living arrangement changes the math significantly. If you live independently and pay your own rent or mortgage, you receive the full amount (minus income reductions). If you live with family members and they provide food or shelter, Social Security assumes they contribute to your support and reduces your payment by one-third of the federal base rate. If you live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other institution that provides meals and shelter, your payment drops to $30 per month — Social Security assumes the facility covers your basic needs.
These reductions happen automatically once Social Security knows about your living situation, so you do not have to calculate them yourself. When you report your circumstances, Social Security's staff will tell you what your payment will be.
State supplements add money in some places
Twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements range from a few dollars per month to several hundred, depending on where you live and your living situation. California, for example, adds $70 per month for a single person living independently as of 2024, while New York adds $87. Some states offer higher supplements for people living in their own homes than for people in facilities.
If you move to a different state, your payment may change because you will now receive that state's supplement instead of your previous state's. The change usually takes effect the month after you move, so plan for a gap if you are relocating. You can find your state's current supplement amount by calling Social Security or visiting your state's aging services office — they keep this information current.
What happens to your payment if you work
If you earn wages, Social Security does not count the first $65 per month, and then it does not count half of anything you earn above that. So if you earn $200 per month, Social Security subtracts $67.50 from your SSI payment (half of the $135 above the $65 threshold). This rule is called the "earned income exclusion," and it exists to encourage people to work without losing all their benefits at once.
Self-employment income follows different rules. Social Security counts your net profit (income minus business expenses) and applies the same $65 exclusion and 50 percent reduction. If you are considering work, tell Social Security before you start so they can explain exactly how your earnings will affect your payment. Many people find they can earn some money and still receive SSI, but the amount changes month to month based on what you actually earn.
How annual cost-of-living adjustments work
Every January, Social Security raises the SSI base payment to account for inflation. The increase is called a Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. In recent years, these adjustments have ranged from 0 percent (when there was no inflation) to 8.7 percent (in 2023). Your new payment amount takes effect on the first of the month, and Social Security sends you a notice in December telling you what the increase will be.
If you receive a state supplement, that amount may also increase, though state increases do not always match the federal COLA. Some states adjust their supplements annually, while others adjust them less often or not at all. After the January adjustment, your payment stays the same for the rest of the year unless your income or living situation changes.
How to find out your specific payment amount
The fastest way is to call Social Security's national helpline at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you want to know about SSI for someone 65 or older. Have ready your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and information about any income you have (wages, pensions, rental income, or other benefits). They will ask about your living situation — whether you pay rent, own your home, or live with family — and then tell you what your payment would be.
If you prefer to meet in person, you can visit your local Social Security office. You can find the address and hours on Social Security's website by entering your zip code. Some aging services offices and senior centers also have staff who can help you understand SSI payments, and they may be able to contact Social Security on your behalf if you prefer not to call directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SSI count my spouse's income if we are married?
Yes. Social Security counts both spouses' income together and pays you as a couple unit. If you are married and both receive SSI, the maximum federal payment for a couple in 2024 is $1,415 per month combined. If only one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse's income still counts against the payment.
What if I receive Social Security retirement benefits — do I have to choose between that and SSI?
No, you can receive both, but Social Security counts your retirement benefit as income and reduces your SSI payment by that amount. Most people who receive retirement benefits receive little or no SSI because the retirement amount is already substantial. Social Security will calculate both and pay you whichever combination gives you the most money.
Can I receive SSI if I own my home?
Yes. Home ownership does not disqualify you from SSI. Social Security does not count the home you live in as a resource that affects your payment. However, if you rent out another property or own land you do not live on, that may count as a resource and could affect your payment.
What if I move in with my adult child — how much does my payment drop?
If your child provides food or shelter, Social Security reduces your payment by one-third of the federal base rate, which is about $314 per month in 2024. The reduction happens whether your child charges you rent or not. If you pay fair market rent to your child, Social Security may not count it as support, so ask Social Security about your specific situation before you move.
Does my payment change if I go into the hospital or a nursing home temporarily?
It depends on how long you stay. If you are in a hospital, your SSI payment continues for the first full month, then stops if you stay longer. If you enter a nursing home or other facility, your payment drops to $30 per month starting the first full month you are there. If you leave the facility, your payment goes back to the regular amount the month after you leave.