SSI Payment Calculator
Estimate your potential Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment. Note: This is an estimation tool and not an official SSA calculation.
Inputs
Estimated Monthly SSI Payment:
Understanding How SSI Payments Are Calculated
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have limited income and resources. It also provides payments to people age 65 and older without a disability who meet the financial limits. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work record. The SSI program is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes.
The Basic SSI Calculation
The maximum federal SSI benefit rate is set by law and adjusted annually for inflation. For 2024, the maximum federal benefit rate (FBR) is:
- $943 per month for an individual
- $1,415 per month for a couple (both eligible spouses)
Your actual SSI payment is calculated by taking the FBR and subtracting your "countable income." The SSA has specific rules for determining what income is "countable" and how much of it is counted.
Determining Countable Income
Not all income you receive counts toward SSI eligibility or reduces your payment. The SSA categorizes income into two main types:
- Earned Income: Wages from a job, net earnings from self-employment.
- Unearned Income: Pensions, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, gifts, money from friends or family, other assistance.
The SSA applies certain exclusions and deductions to your income to arrive at your "countable income." For earned income, a portion is typically disregarded. For unearned income, the first $20 of most types is disregarded, and the first $65 of earned income (and the first $20 of unearned income) is disregarded. Further deductions may apply. A key factor is that some income may not be counted at all (e.g., certain gifts, the value of food stamps).
Impact of Living Arrangements
Your living arrangement significantly affects your SSI benefit amount. The maximum benefit rates are adjusted based on where and with whom you live:
- Living in your own home (alone or with others): You are eligible for the maximum FBR (less countable income).
- Living in someone else's home (renting, or living with others and not contributing to household expenses): Your FBR may be reduced.
- In a public institution: Generally, you cannot receive SSI while residing in a public institution, with some exceptions for medical facilities.
- In a medical facility where Medicaid pays more than 50% of the cost: Your payment is typically $30 per month.
- In a medical facility for less than a full calendar month: You can receive the higher rate if you are hospitalized or in a medical facility for 1 full calendar month or less.
Impact of Marital Status
If you are married, the calculation can become more complex. The SSA has different benefit rates for couples. If both spouses are applying for or receiving SSI, they may receive a couple's rate. If only one spouse is eligible, the other spouse's income and resources may be considered in the calculation, depending on whether they are "living together."
How This Calculator Works (Simplified)
This calculator uses a simplified model. It primarily focuses on subtracting your provided Countable Income from the relevant Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) based on your Living Arrangement and Marital Status. It does not perform the intricate calculations of earned income exclusions or specific in-kind income valuations that the SSA uses. The Total Monthly Income field is for informational purposes or general understanding but is not directly used in the primary calculation if Countable Income is provided.
Key Calculation Logic:
Estimated SSI Payment = (Relevant FBR) - (Countable Income)
The calculator selects the appropriate FBR based on the chosen living arrangement and marital status. If the calculated amount is negative, it defaults to $0.00, as you cannot receive a negative SSI payment.
Example Calculation:
Let's consider an example:
- Individual Status: Single
- Living Arrangement: Living in own home, with others
- Countable Income: $150.00 per month
- In-Kind Income: $0.00
For a single individual living in their own home, the maximum federal benefit rate is $943 (for 2024).
The calculation would be: $943 (FBR) - $150 (Countable Income) = $793.
Therefore, the estimated monthly SSI payment would be $793.00.
Disclaimer:
This calculator is for educational and estimation purposes only. It is crucial to contact the Social Security Administration directly or visit their official website (ssa.gov) for accurate and personalized SSI benefit calculations and eligibility determination.