By Warren Beck | Social Security District Manager in Syracuse
You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) even if you already receive Social Security benefits.
About 2.5 million adults and children get SSI and Social Security at the same time.
We pay Social Security benefits to workers and their eligible family members based on the worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people with little or no income and few resources.
People younger than 65 must be blind or have a disability and meet SSI income and resource limits, while people 65 and older do not have to have a disability. About 1.4 million people 65 and older receive both SSI and Social Security.
What do we mean by “little or no income”?
In 2025, you may be eligible for SSI if your total income — including your Social Security benefit — is less than $987 per month (the 2025 SSI monthly federal benefit rate plus $20).
We consider income from all non-work sources, including pensions, veterans’ benefits, unemployment and Social Security disability, retirement and survivor benefits. We also count some — but not all — earnings from work, including self-employment.
What do we mean by “few resources”?
Resources are things that you own that you could change to cash and use to support yourself. They include vehicles (if you own more than one) and money in bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your home and the land it’s on, as long as you live there. To be eligible for SSI, your resources cannot be worth more than:
– $2,000 for a single person.
– $3,000 for a married couple living together.
For more information visit our blog article, You May Be Eligible for SSI and Social “Security Benefits” at blog.ssa.gov/you-may-be-eligible-for-ssi-and-social-security-benefits.
Please share this information with others who may benefit – and post it on social media.
Q&A
Q.: What is the estimated average Social Security payment that a person receives each month?
A.: The estimated average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2025 is $1,976.00. The average monthly Social Security benefit for a worker with a disability in 2025 is $1,580.00.
Q.: Why should I sign up for a personal My Social Security online account?
A.: My Social Security is a personal online account you can securely use to check your Social Security information and do business with us. With a personal my Social Security account you can:
• Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year.
• Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working.
• Request a replacement Social Security card in most states.
• Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them.
• Manage your benefits:
– Change your address or telephone number. (Social Security beneficiaries only)
– Start or change your direct deposit. (Social Security beneficiaries only)
– Get a replacement Medicare card.
– Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
To find all the services available and set up an account, go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Q.: I plan to retire soon. When are Social Security benefits paid?
A.: Social Security benefits are paid each month. Generally, new retirees receive their benefits on either the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of each month, depending on the day in the month the retiree was born. If you receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit payment date will be determined by your spouse’s birth date.
Here’s a chart showing how your monthly payment date is determined:
