SSI eligibility involves meeting both non-medical requirements (age, income, resources, citizenship) and, for disability-based claims, medical requirements. Understanding all eligibility criteria helps you know whether you qualify and how to prepare your application.
Age and Category Requirements
You must fit one of three categories. Aged: 65 years or older (no disability required). Blind: Vision of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction, or visual field of 20 degrees or less. Disabled: Unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
You only need to meet one category—aged, blind, or disabled.
Citizenship and Residency
You must be a US citizen or qualifying non-citizen and reside in the United States or Northern Mariana Islands. Qualifying non-citizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in some circumstances, refugees and asylees, certain trafficking victims, and other specific categories.
Rules for non-citizens are complex and have changed over time. Check current SSA guidance or consult an attorney.
Income Limits Explained
SSI counts income against the federal benefit rate. If your countable income exceeds the benefit rate, you're ineligible. The key is understanding what counts.
Earned income (wages, self-employment) gets more generous treatment. SSA excludes the first $65 per month plus half of the remainder. Unearned income (Social Security, pensions, gifts) has only the first $20 excluded.
In-kind support and maintenance (food or shelter provided by others) counts as income but follows special rules that limit its impact.
Resource Limits Explained
Individuals: $2,000 maximum. Couples: $3,000 maximum. Resources are things you own that could be converted to cash. Assets checked include bank accounts, cash, stocks and bonds, and real estate (other than your home).
Excluded resources don't count: your home and land it's on, one vehicle (regardless of value if used for transportation), household goods and personal effects, life insurance with face value under $1,500, and burial funds up to $1,500.
Some states have additional exclusions or rules.
Living Arrangement Rules
Where and how you live affects SSI payments. If you live in someone else's household and receive food or shelter without paying fair value, your benefit is reduced. If you live in certain institutions (like nursing homes), your benefit is reduced to a nominal amount.
The "one-third reduction rule" and "presumed maximum value" rule determine how living arrangements affect payments.
Medical Eligibility for Disability
Disability-based SSI uses the same medical standards as SSDI. SSA evaluates disability through a five-step process considering your current work activity, severity of impairments, whether your impairment meets listed conditions, your residual functional capacity, and whether you can do other work.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
If you're working and earning above the SGA level (which changes annually), you generally can't receive disability-based SSI. The 2024 SGA amount is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and higher for blind individuals.
Some work expenses can be deducted when calculating SGA.
Deeming Rules
If you're married or a child living with parents, some of their income and resources may be "deemed" to you. This affects eligibility even if family members don't actually share their money with you.
Deeming rules are complex—certain exclusions and calculations apply before attributing income or resources to you.
Continuing Eligibility
SSI eligibility isn't permanent. SSA conducts periodic reviews—both financial reviews (checking income and resources) and medical reviews (continuing disability reviews). Report changes promptly to avoid overpayments.
Getting Legal Help
SSI eligibility rules are complex, particularly for disabled applicants. Disability attorneys and legal aid organizations help navigate applications, appeals, and understanding how income rules affect your specific situation.