What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays monthly benefits to people age 65 or older, or blind or disabled individuals of any age, who have limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security retirement benefits, SSI is not based on your work history — it's a needs-based program funded by general tax revenue. The 2024 Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 per month for an eligible couple, and your actual payment is the FBR minus your countable income, after the Social Security Administration excludes the first $20 of most income you receive.
This calculator applies that formula so you can enter your monthly income and household type to see whether you're likely to qualify and roughly how much you might receive. Many states also add a supplemental payment on top of the federal SSI amount, so your actual benefit could be higher depending on where you live. To apply, contact the Social Security Administration or visit ssa.gov, since resource limits (generally $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple) also apply and aren't reflected in this estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
SSI is available to people 65 or older, or blind or disabled at any age, with limited income and resources (generally under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple).
Your payment equals the Federal Benefit Rate minus your countable income, after excluding the first $20 of most income.
Yes, but your Social Security benefit counts as income when calculating your SSI payment, which may reduce or eliminate it.