What income is too high for SSI?

Asked by: Cayla Anderson  |  Last update: May 12, 2025
Score: 5/5 (12 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.

Can you get SSI if you make too much money?

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. Some of your income may not count as income for the SSI program.

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 for SSI?

Not all unearned income is counted. For example, Social Security will not look at the first $20 of the total unearned income you receive each month. Other types of exclusions include school grants and scholarships, energy assistance, and income placed in a PASS account.

Is Your Income Too High While On Social Security?

42 related questions found

How much money can you make and still get SSI in 2024?

There are income and asset limits for beneficiaries of SSI. If you meet or exceed either of these limits, your SSI payments will be reduced by the SSA and potentially terminated. In 2024, the income limit for an individual is $1,971. The limit for a couple is $2,915.

What would disqualify you from SSI?

You Aren't Disabled, or Old Enough

To qualify for benefits, you need to be 65 years of age or older, totally or partially blind, or have a medical condition that stops you from working and will last at least 12 months or result in death. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be disqualified.

How much can you make a month without affecting SSI?

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

What income reduces 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 is the maximum amount you can earn while collecting SSI?

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your benefits. You work and earn $32,320 ($8,920 more than the $23,400 limit) during the year.

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 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.

Will I lose my SSI if I buy a house?

The home exclusion means that you won't lose your SSI if you buy a house. To be eligible for the SSI home exclusion, you must own your home. To qualify, you can own the house in a number of ways: Find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits.

How much does SSI allow for rent?

On September 30, 2024, Social Security will change how they look at rental agreements for SSI recipients. Social Security will consider this a business arrangement for the individual to pay a lower rent if the individual is paying the SSI Presumed Maximum Value (PMV) amount, which for 2024 is $314 per month.

Does owning a car affect SSI?

If you have one car that's used for essential purposes, it won't count against your SSI resource limit. The SSA excludes a vehicle if it's needed for personal transportation, work, or essential errands, such as doctor visits or grocery shopping. If you own more than one vehicle, only one can be exempt.

What is the most approved disability for SSI?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

Can you lose SSI if you make too much money?

Social Security withholds benefits if your earnings exceed a certain level when you're under your full retirement age. In 2024, the annual exempt amount is $22,320 for recipients who aren't at their full retirement age. Anyone making more than that has $1 in benefits withheld for every $2 of earnings they're over.

What is the most SSI will pay?

The maximum monthly SSI payment for 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple.

How much money can you make and still get SSI in 2025?

The 2025 earnings limit for people under full retirement age all year is $23,400. We deduct $1 from your benefits in 2025 for each $2 you earn over $23,400. The 2025 earnings limit for people reaching full retirement age is $62,160.

Can you work 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.

What is deemed income for SSI?

We call this process "deeming." We make deductions from deemed income for parents and for other children living in the home. After we subtract these deductions, we use the remaining amount to decide if the child meets the SSI income and resource requirements for a monthly benefit.

How much money can you make at a job if you're on SSI?

Qualifications and Benefits for SSI

According to the Social Security Administration, you cannot “earn more than $1,913 from work each month.” Additionally, your resources should not be more than $2,000 for individuals ($3,000 for couples).

What not to say in an SSI interview?

  • Don't lie about your symptoms. When answering questions about your symptoms and functioning, be honest. ...
  • Don't talk about undiagnosed conditions. If you haven't been formally diagnosed with a condition by your doctor, don't mention it during your disability interview. ...
  • Don't go on tangents. ...
  • Don't be rude.

What can get you kicked off of SSI?

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.

What kind of income does not count against Social Security?

For the earnings limits, we don't count income such as other government benefits, investment earnings, interest, pensions, annuities, and capital gains.