Millions of people will get their September Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks in just two weeks. Each person can get up to $943. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends these payments on the first of every month, which in this case is September 1. They help people with serious disabilities that make it hard for them to work by giving them money.
The SSA says that people who are over 65, partly or totally blind, or who have a physical or mental illness that will keep them from doing normal things for at least a year or is expected to kill them can get this benefit. These requirements make sure that SSI benefits go to the people who need them the most because their illness keeps them from working and making a normal income.
We’ve already talked about how the most a single applicant can get each month is $943. However, there are other payments that can be made. For example, couples filing jointly can get up to $1,415 each month, and essential persons who provide necessary care to recipients can get up to $472 each month. Because of changes made to account for inflation, these numbers are 3.2% higher than they were a year ago.
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that SSA makes every year is the same for all of its services. This is done to make sure that no one loses the ability to buy things. This means that once the 2025 COLA is set and put into effect in January, the amount of benefits a person getting SSI will get next year will also be changed.
Keep in mind that SSI payments are not the same as normal Social Security benefits. Since the two programs work separately, getting Social Security benefits does not instantly make someone eligible for SSI, and the same is true for the other way around. To be eligible for each school, you have to meet different requirements and follow a different application process.
The SSA has a tool that people can use to get an idea of how much they might have to pay. This tool helps applicants and receivers figure out how much they might be able to get based on their unique situations.
The upcoming payment on September 1 is a lifeline for many people and families, helping to ease some of the financial burdens that people with severe disabilities face. However, not everyone, even those with disabilities, is qualified for this benefit.
SSI Requirements
People whose monthly income is less than $1,971 are usually eligible for this aid. But couples or parents filing on behalf of their children may be able to make more than the minimum income. We look at more than just salary to see if someone is eligible.
For example, we look at disability payments, unemployment benefits, and pensions. For SSI reasons, “income” means a lot of different things, such as wages from a job, Social Security benefits and pensions, and noncash benefits like food and shelter. Resources, on the other hand, are things that you own, like extra cars or money in the bank.
You can get SSI even if you make too much money or get certain types of benefits. These are the exceptions:
State-provided SSI supplements
– Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps
– Section 8 housing vouchers
– Rent or property tax rebates
– Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits
– Special expenses related to blindness or disability
You can also be turned down for SSI if you have resources. Resources that are common include cars and bank accounts with money. For one person, the ceiling is $2,000, and for a couple, it’s $3,000. There are $2,000 more resources that can be used if a parent applies on behalf of a child.
Some assets, though, don’t count toward these limits. For instance, your main home and the land it sits on are not included if you live there. Also, one car per family, most of your personal belongings, household goods, and anything else that is hard to sell or use are usually not counted as resources.