Health & Benefits

Who is eligible for SSI?

Supplemental Security Income A federal program that gives money to low-income elderly, blind and disabled people on a monthly basis (SSI) is a federal financial assistance program for anyone who has limited income and limited resources. The person must also be:

• Disabled,
• Blind, or
• Aged (65 or older).

In addition, the person must be a:

• US citizen or
• In one of certain categories of immigrants.

There are other requirements, too. More information about eligibility can be found on the SSA website.

Unlike Social Security Disability A federal program that gives money to people who cannot work because of a disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is not based on your work history. You may be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked or do not meet the taxable income A person's gross income minus deductions and exemptions requirement for SSDI.

Maximum SSI amounts for 2025 and 2026

As of January 1, 2025, the maximum SSI payment is:

• $ 967 per month for one person,
• $ 1,450 per month for a couple, if both spouses are eligible for SSI.

As of January 1, 2026, the maximum SSI payment is:

• $ 994 per month for one person,
• $ 1,491 per month for a couple, if both spouses are eligible for SSI.

If Social Security decides that you are eligible for SSI, you may get back benefits from one month after you applied for SSI to the time the application is approved, as long as you were disabled during that time. For this reason, it is important to apply for benefits as soon as possible. 

In Illinois, most SSI recipients are also eligible for Medicaid as soon as they are found eligible for SSI. This is not an automatic qualification, and an SSI recipient would still have to apply for Medicaid.

What counts as "income"?

To be eligible for SSI, your income, minus any deductions, must be less than the SSI benefit amount.  Income includes: 

• Money that you earn from work,
• Money from other sources such as benefits, pensions, investment income, and gift,
• Housing that someone gives you for free, and
• Some of the income of your spouse, parent, or sponsor, if you live with them.

Income does not include:

• Income tax refunds, 
• Bill assistance that someone gives you for free other than for shelter (such as phone or medical bills), 
• SNAP benefits (food stamps), or 
• Government home energy assistance (such as LIHEAP). 

More information about countable income can be found on the SSA website.

What counts as "resources"?

Along with an income limit, the SSI program has a limit on assets Anything a person owns that has financial value or "resources." To qualify for SSI, the limit on resources is $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. 

Resources mean anything you own that has value, including but not limited to:

• Cash,
• Bank accounts,
• Stocks,
• Real estate, Property consisting of land or buildings like a house or an apartment and
• Vehicles.

There are exceptions that do not count as resources, including but not limited to:

• The house you live in,
• One vehicle used for your household's transportation,
• Your household goods, and
• Your personal effects. 

More information about countable resources can be found on the SSA website.

What does "disabled" mean for an adult?

The 5 step process for determining disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. for adults is the same process as for SSDI.

What does "disabled" mean for a child?

The Social Security Administration requires a child to meet financial and medical criteria to qualify for SSI. In deciding whether your child is disabled and eligible for SSI, SSA uses the following 4 step process:

• Step 1: Is your child working and earning at least $1,620 per month (as of January, 2026, this limit becomes $1,690)? If yes, then SSA considers your child not disabled. If no, go to Step 2.
• Step 2: Does your child have a severe medical condition that causes more than minimal problems in their ability to perform basic physical or mental activities? If yes, go to Step 3.
• Step 3: Is your child's medical condition on SSA's Listing of Impairments for Children? If yes, then SSA may consider your child disabled. If no, go to Step 4.
• Step 4: Does your child's medical condition functionally equal one of the conditions on the Listing of Impairments for Children? If yes, then SSA may consider your child disabled.

In step 4, SSA evaluates your child's condition based on six domains of functioning, including:

• Acquiring and using information,
• Attending and completing tasks,
• Interacting and relating with others,
• Moving about and manipulating objects,
• Caring for themselves, and
• Health and physical well-being.

Your child must have an "extreme" limitation in at least one domain or a "marked" limitation in at least two domains to be considered disabled.

Note that having a condition that is listed in the SSA Listing of Impairments for Children does not automatically qualify a child for SSI benefits. The listings describe various symptoms and side effects that must be documented in the child’s medical records for SSA to find that they meet the listing. 

What happens if I work while I am getting SSI benefits?

Any income that you earn from working while you get SSI benefits may affect the amount of benefits that you receive. There is no trial When the issues of a case are heard in court and decided by a judge or jury work period or period of extended eligibility  like there is with SSDI benefits. It is important to report all income changes to SSA immediately. Remember to keep proof of reporting. Proof of reporting would include the date stamp on your copy of pay stubs you drop off at your local SSA office.

In calculating your SSA benefits, SSA does not count:

• The first $20 of any income,
• The first $65 of earned income,
• Half of the remaining earned income,
• SNAP benefits (food stamps), 
• Certain types of other income.

Example:

• If you earn $100 per month and have no other income, SSA first deducts $20 for any type of income ($100-$20=$80). Then, SSA deducts the first $65 of your earned income ($80-$65=$15). Finally, SSA  reduces this by ½ ($7.50). Here, your SSI payments would be reduced by $7.50 per month.

If your income goes up or down, SSA will recalculate your SSI amount. You may be eligible to have your benefits reinstated. That could happen if you stop getting SSI because your earnings are too high, but then you lose your job or your wages The amount of money that a person is paid for work they do are reduced. However, there are time limits on reinstatement. You should contact your local SSA office as soon as possible if you have any change in income.

SSA may review your eligibility for SSI benefits and decide that you are no longer disabled based on your ability to work.  These are called continuing disability reviews, and SSA is required by law to review certain types of medical conditions at least once every three years and other conditions every 5-7 years. A child’s disability is reviewed at least once every three years if their condition can be expected to improve.

If you are subject to a continuing disability review, SSA will contact you to get updated information. You should make sure that your contact information, including your phone number and address, is correct and updated with SSA periodically to ensure that you do not miss any attempts by them to contact you. If you do not respond to a continuing disability review, your SSI benefits could be stopped. You should respond to a continuing disability review as soon as possible if you receive a request for one. 

If your child receives childhood disability benefits, two months before they turn age 18, SSA will review their disability using the adult Any person 18 years old or over criteria instead of the child criteria. You should respond to a disability review as soon as possible to ensure there is no lapse in benefits.