The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), provides essential financial support to low-income individuals, disabled Americans, and children. Recently, the SSA announced three significant changes to the SSI program, aimed at making it easier for eligible beneficiaries to qualify and receive benefits. As millions of Americans rely on SSI to meet their basic needs, knowing these changes is crucial to staying informed about your potential benefits.
Let’s investigate these changes and what they mean for your future SSI payments.
IMS Rule
One of the most impactful changes is the new rule regarding In-Kind Support and Maintenance (IMS). Previously, food assistance provided by friends or family could count against a person’s SSI benefits. This made it harder for recipients to qualify or resulted in lower monthly payments.
With the recent update, the SSA will no longer consider food assistance when determining an applicant’s eligibility. This change is expected to increase the number of people eligible for SSI. As a result, over 90,000 individuals could see an increase of approximately $131 per month in their SSI payments.
This update ensures that those who receive informal help from friends or family won’t be penalized, enabling them to receive the full amount they are entitled to.
Rental Subsidy
Another major change relates to rental subsidies. Until now, only SSI applicants and recipients in seven states benefited from an exception to certain rental subsidy rules. This exception helped some people qualify for higher SSI payments by excluding part of their housing costs from their income calculation.
The SSA has now extended this rental subsidy exception to cover all applicants and recipients across the country. This will potentially raise monthly SSI payments by an estimated $132 for around 41,000 individuals. If you receive housing assistance, this change could significantly improve your financial support through SSI.
Public Assistance
Finally, the SSA has updated the public assistance household definition. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now officially included in the types of public assistance that qualify a household for this designation.
Previously, to be considered a public assistance household, all members of the household needed to receive public assistance. This rule has been waived, making it easier for individuals living in households with mixed income sources to qualify for SSI.
This change is expected to extend SSI eligibility to an additional 277,000 people. It will also reduce the reporting burden on families who qualify, as they will no longer need to navigate the complex requirements of the old definition.
Changes
These three changes to the SSI program mark a positive step towards reducing the barriers that many low-income individuals, children, and disabled Americans face when applying for or receiving benefits. By easing the IMS rules, expanding rental subsidies nationwide, and simplifying the public assistance household definition, the SSA is helping more people qualify for higher SSI payments.
However, it’s important to note that while the SSA can make administrative adjustments like these, some crucial changes—such as updating asset limits—remain in the hands of Congress. Current asset limits, which haven’t been revised since 1989, continue to restrict savings opportunities for recipients. Although proposals to raise these limits have been discussed, no significant legislative action has been taken.
If you’re currently receiving SSI or planning to apply, these updates could positively impact your monthly payments. You should stay informed about how these changes may apply to your personal situation and consult with a financial advisor or Social Security expert if needed.
By knowing the nuances of these updates, you can ensure you’re making the most of your benefits under the new rules.
FAQs
How much will SSI payments increase for those affected?
For those impacted by the IMS rule and rental subsidy expansion, monthly SSI payments could increase by $131 to $132.
Does food assistance still count against SSI eligibility?
No, under the new rule, food assistance from friends or family will not affect SSI eligibility.
Who qualifies for the expanded rental subsidy exception?
The rental subsidy exception now applies to all SSI applicants nationwide, not just those in seven states.
How does the updated public assistance household definition help?
It simplifies eligibility, allowing more households with mixed-income sources to qualify for SSI.
Are the SSI asset limits changing?
No, the asset limits remain unchanged, as Congress has yet to update them since 1989.
