Most people think of Social Security as a way to get money when they retire. But for millions of Americans, other programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also very important. More than 64 million recipients are retired workers, but about 7 million Americans who make less than $1,917 a month also get SSI to cover their living costs.
Three big changes will be made to this program because of recent news. These changes will have an effect on the financial program. Remember that people who want these regular benefits must show that they have low income and few resources. People who file for SSI as individuals can get up to $943 a month, while people who file as a couple can get up to $1,415 a month.
New rules for the Supplemental Security Income Program that will become effective in October
Three new rules will go into effect on September 30, 2024. These rules are part of the SSA’s efforts to make SSI payments easier for qualified people to get and reach more people. Find out more about these rules here:
1. Changes in the in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations
The SSA has made another important change to how in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) in the form of food is treated when SSI eligibility is determined. In the past, any kind of food or housing help was seen as unearned income by Social Security.
As a result, a person could get less SSI payments. People who get food stamps can now ask friends and family for help without thinking about losing their benefits. This is because the policy has been criticized for being too strict and harmful to people who need it.
Darcy Milburn, Director of Social Security and Health Policy at the Arc, told CNBC that it’s a big step toward fixing one of the most complicated, unfair, and hard rules that affects disabled people who get SSI. The Arc is a non-profit group whose mission is to help people with intellectual and developmental challenges.
2. Social Security will introduce a new Public Assistance Household definition
The idea of “household receiving public assistance” has been reevaluated, which is a big change. At least one person in a household must be getting public assistance in order for that household to be qualified for SSI benefits.
The new rule, on the other hand, says that there can be a household with only one person receiving SSI and one other person receiving public assistance, as long as their resources can be proven. The family will also get help from the Supplemental Nutrition aid Program (SNAP) as part of their public aid package.
By improving our processes and adding another program like SNAP benefits for low-income families, we are getting rid of big problems that make it harder to get SSI. In a release, Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security, said. “These changes will make our programs more fair,” he said.
Additionally, it is important to note that this change is expected to make an extra 109,000 people eligible for benefits and increase the payouts that about 277,000 people currently receiving SSI receive.
3. Social Security to expand its SSI rent subsidy policy
Finally, the third big change has to do with the Social Security Administration‘s rent support program. According to the final rule, the agency will extend its SSI rental subsidy policy starting September 30, 2024.
Currently, this policy is only available to SSI applicants and beneficiaries living in seven states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. This is because of court rulings. People in those states were less likely to have their SSI eligibility or payment amount change if they got rental help, like a discounted rental rate.
This new rule gives all SSI candidates and recipients across the country the same helpful treatment. This could raise the amount of money that some people can get from SSI, which would let more people get these important benefits. Also, this final rule that increases the rental subsidy program is another thing that makes it easier to get SSI funds.
Also See:- Social Security is making a big change to how disability benefits are given – It is official