SSI BENEFIT CHANGES IN 2024

WHAT IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM?

Changes in SSI benefits are happening in 2024. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are disabled and who have limited income and resources. SSI is a needs based program. This means you are only eligible for SSI if you in financial need. For those with disabilities, SSI benefits offer vital support to help cover basic living expenses, such as housing, food, and medical care.

In January 2025, the SSI payment amount will be $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. In 2024, the SSI payment for an individual is $943 and it is $1415 for a couple. However, in order to receive SSI payments, the SSA must first find you cannot work due to disability. Second, you must also meet SSA’s income and asset rules.

Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your work history, SSI is available to anyone who meets the medical criteria for disability and the income limitations. SSI benefits are important for people with disabilities who have never been able to work. Or, for those who worked in low wage jobs that didn’t provide sufficient financial security. Therefore, SSI helps ensure that those with disabilities can maintain a basic standard of living.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES TO SSI PROGRAM IN 2024?

In 2024, the SSA made several significant updates to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The changes impact millions of Americans who rely on SSI for financial support. These changes aim to make the process easier for eligible individuals, including seniors, adults, and children who are blind or disabled, and those who have limited income. Below is a discussion of the key updates you need to know.

KEY CHANGES TO THE SSI PROGRAM IN 2024

SSI is a vital program that provides financial assistance to more than 7 million Americans who are elderly, disabled, or blind. For these individuals, SSI benefits are essential for meeting daily needs. For example, SSI benefits can pay for housing, food, and other basic living expenses. Let’s take a look at some of the important changes in 2024 that affect current and future SSI recipients:

1.  EXPANSION OF THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLD

One of the most notable changes to SSI in 2024 is the expansion of the definition of a public assistance household. This update will allow more people to qualify for SSI and potentially receive higher monthly payments. Here’s what’s changing:

• SNAP BENEFITS: For the first time since 1980, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be part of the definition of a public assistance household.
• LESS STRINGENT HOUSEHOLD RULES: Previously, all household members had to receive public assistance for a household to qualify. Under the new rule, only one member of the household needs to receive public assistance for the household to qualify.

This change could potentially help around 277,000 federal SSI recipients receive higher monthly payments. Additionally, an estimated 109,000 individuals could become eligible for SSI benefits who would not have been eligible under previous rules.

2. CHANGES TO SSI RENTAL SUBSIDY AND FOOD ASSISTANCE

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is also changing the old rules regarding rental subsidies and food assistance. Effective September 30, 2024, the following changes will go into effect:

• RENTAL SUBSIDY ADJUSTMENTS: The SSI program will now expand its rental subsidy policy, making it less likely that lowered rent or other forms of rental assistance will affect your SSI payment amount. This policy, which was previously available in seven states, now applies in all states.
• FOOD ASSISTANCE EXCLUSION: Another important update is eliminating food assistance from calculations that affect SSI benefits. Previously, if SSI recipients received free meals or groceries from friends or family, it could reduce their monthly benefits. Under the new rule, these types of food assistance will no longer count against your SSI payment. Therefore, this reduces the administrative burden on the SSA. It also ensures more accurate monthly benefit calculations.

These changes help reduce barriers to SSI benefits. Additionally, it makes the process easier for recipients.

3. 2024 SSI PAYMENTS AMOUNTS

The monthly maximum SSI payment amounts for 2024 are as follows:

• Individuals: $943
• Couples: $1,415
• Essential Persons: $472 (for those living with an SSI recipient and providing care)

To qualify for SSI, you must have a monthly income of less than $1,971 from work and less than $2,000 in resources (or $3,000 for couples). Resources include assets that you can sell. For example, resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property.

4. SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT:  POTENTIAL SSI CHANGES AHEAD

Another potential change to SSI benefits is tied to the Social Security Fairness Act. This bill recently passed the House of Representatives. It addresses rules that reduce Social Security benefits for those who receive pension benefits from state or local governments. For example, teachers, police officers, and firemen and other public servants have reduced incomes due to the old rules. This bill would change that.

The bill would also eliminate the government pension offset (GPO) which reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows who also receive pension checks. As of December, about 1% of all people who receive Social Security — or 745,679 individuals — were affected by the GPO, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The bill aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Both of which reduce Social Security benefits for workers who didn’t pay into Social Security while working in certain public sector jobs. If passed, the Social Security Fairness Act could provide relief to around 2.8 million people affected by these provisions. To help pay for those changes, those with more than $400,000 in income would have to pay more Social Security payroll taxes.

However, critics warn that the bill could lead to long term financial challenges for the Social Security trust fund. Of course, the trust fund is already not capable of  paying out future benefits. For example, the trust fund used to pay retirement benefits may reduced in 2033. At which point only 79% of benefits will be payable. Unless Congress acts, we will all get less when we retire. Nevertheless, as of now, the bill is going to the Senate for consideration.

HOW THESE CHANGES BENEFIT SSI RECIPIENTS

The changes to the public assistance household definition, along with updates to the SSI rental subsidy and food assistance rules, are part of an effort to make the SSI program more accessible. By removing old rules, the SSA aims to help low income households. Especially, if those in the home have disabilities or are elderly. These individuals may need financial assistance to cover daily living costs.

These reforms also mean less paperwork for SSI recipients and fewer administrative burdens. The SSI changes allow individuals to receive the benefits they need without problems or delays.

HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHO KNOWS THE CHANGES TO SSI BENEFITS

Navigating the complexities of the SSI application process can be challenging, especially with these recent updates. If you or a loved one is filing for SSI benefits or you need help understanding the new rules, then work with an SSI lawyer.

Those who hire an SSDI lawyer with experience are three times more likely to win their benefits. However, knowing what to do is half the battle. Only legal experience can give you the extra push you need to win your SSD benefits.

At our law firm, we have helped over 20,000 clients win their SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases. With years of experience, we understand how to  prepare and present your case to increase your chances of success. We have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our success rate is based on our experience and the fact that we work with our clients as a team.

We believe in fighting for our clients. We are on your side whether you are filing for SSI benefits for the first time. Or, you are facing difficulties with your ongoing SSI claim. If you’re ready to begin, then contact our SSD law firm to speak with an expert.

WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF HIRING A LAWYER?

Most people worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer to win their SSI benefits. If you hired a lawyer before, then you probably had to pay money up front before the lawyer would take your case. For example, before most attorneys begin to work, they require you to pay an upfront fee. Then, they charge against that fee. But at our firm, you can hire us for no up front fee. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by calling to see if we can help you win your SSI benefits.

Furthermore, our law firm only charges an attorney fee if we win your SSI benefits. When we win, we charge 25% of your past due benefits. For example, if you win $10,000 in past due benefits, then we charge $2,500 or 25% of the back benefit. If you win $100,000 in past due benefits, then there is an attorney fee cap of $9,200. That is the attorney fee cap as of the end of November 2024.

No attorney can charge you more than 25% of your past due benefit. They also cannot charge more than the fee cap at the hearing level. If an attorney tries to charge you more than that, then they could lose their license. If you have questions about attorney fees, then review “Attorney Fees in SSD Cases.”

Since all attorneys charge the exact same amount, does that mean all law firms are equal? No. You are going to pay the same price for any law firm you hire. So, when you make your choice, hire the firm with legal experience. Hire us. We are the SSI law firm with decades of legal experience and the best track record.