How Much Money Can You Make and Still Be Eligible for SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration to help certain individuals who suffer from financial need. SSI was created in January 1974 to replace and consolidate three similar assistance programs. It provides relief to those who are blind, disabled, or age 65 and older and have minimal income and resources.

SSI is available for individuals who don’t earn more than $2,019 from work each month. (The cap increases if you’re married or applying for your child or children, or decreases if you’re disabled.) The rules for qualifying for this assistance can be complex.

Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

In order to qualify for SSI monthly benefits, an individual must have ‘limited income and resources’, according to the Social Security Administration. Additionally, an individual must be blind, disabled, or age 65 or older to qualify. Only one of the conditions is required in tandem with the income and resource limits.

The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a “medical condition that keeps them from performing substantial gainful activity, which is expected to last one year or result in death.” For children, a disability is a considered a condition that “severely limits daily activity” . Disabled and/or blind children qualify for SSI based on their parents’ income and resource levels.

Income Limits for SSI Eligibility

SSI income limits are strict. The cap on income earned from working is $2,019 per individual per month as of 2025. However, the cap is higher if you’re married or you’re applying for your children or child. For disabled individuals, the income threshold is $1,550, which means you’ll need to prove you earned less than that in the month you apply.

“Income is divided into four categories by the Social Security Administration,” says Arron Bennett, a strategic finance expert and founder/CEO of Bennett Financials. “Earned income (wages or self-employment income), unearned income (Social Security benefits, pensions, or gifts), in-kind support (food or housing provided for free), and deemed income (for children, the income of a spouse or parent).”

A portion of your spouse’s income will be included with yours if you’re married. Some of your parents’ income will be calculated into your total if you’re younger than age 18. Disability and unemployment benefits are included in the income totals.

“The specific financial situation will determine eligibility and benefit amounts,” Bennett says.

Exclusions From Income

Not all income is included in these limits. Some exclusions apply:

• The first $20 of monthly income
• The first $65 a month of earned income from working, plus half of any amount over $65
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
• Most home energy assistance benefits
• Some wages and scholarships received by students

The Social Security Administration provides an online tool that you can use to enter your personal information and find out if you qualify.

Resource Limits for SSI Eligibility

Your income isn’t the only qualifying consideration for SSI—the Social Security Administration evaluates your resources, too.

“There are resource limits: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple,” Bennett says. “This includes cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other such assets. However, some assets are excluded from the list: the primary residence, one vehicle, household goods, personal effects, and burial expenses up to a certain limit.”

The Social Security Administration won’t count burial funds you have saved up as a resource as long as those funds don’t exceed $1,500 as of 2025. This doubles to $3,000 if you’re married: $1,500 each for you and your spouse. Life insurance policies can be excluded as well, but only up to a face value of $1,500. You can add $2,000 if you’re applying for a child.

SSI Work Incentives

The Social Security Administration doesn’t discourage recipients from working. It provides several incentive programs for those who do.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)

The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) allows blind or disabled students to exclude $2,350 per month from their incomes up to a total of $9,460 per year as of 2025.

“This means that students can work part-time or even accept internships and receive SSI benefits without having to worry about losing them,” Bennett says.

Ticket to Work

This program is designed to help individuals find work under the terms of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. You can receive employment services from an approved service provider at no charge.

The Social Security Administration will pause their medical disability reviews while you’re participating in the program. These reviews are normally performed on an ongoing basis to determine whether your condition has improved.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

“Another important program is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS),” Bennett says. “It enables SSI beneficiaries to set aside money toward education or job training only. PASS funds aren’t considered as income, so an individual can use the money to enroll in vocational activities and still be eligible for SSI.”

Blind Work Expenses (BWE)

Another important policy is Blind Work Expenses (BWE). “It allows certain work-related expenses to be deducted before the countable income is determined,” Bennett says. “Some of these costs can include transportation to and from work, guide dog and other orientation and mobility expenses, assistive technology, and even some meals that are consumed at work. These deductions help the blind person work while maintaining necessary financial support.”

The expense doesn’t have to be related to the individual’s blindness to qualify, according to the Social Security Administration.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)

This income exemption is similar to the exemption provided to blind individuals. Wages that are used to purchase or pay for certain items or services that allow you to work are exempt from income calculations.

The Social Security Administration provides these examples of the types of expenses that can be deducted from an individual’s earned income:

• Co-pays
• Medications
• Counseling services
• Car modifications
• Assistive technology that people with disabilities use for employment-related purposes such as software applications and computer support services
• Special tools that have been designed to accommodate the person’s impairment or attendant care services

Other Requirements

If you’re age 65 or older and haven’t yet applied for Social Security retirement benefits, your SSI application may also serve as an application for retirement benefits. However, note that there’s different eligibility criteria for Social Security retirement benefits and SSI.

You must be a U.S. citizen or national to be eligible, although some noncitizens in an alien classification granted by the Department of Homeland Security can qualify as well. You must reside in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. This excludes those who live in Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can’t leave the United States for 30 or more consecutive days or a full calendar month.

How to Apply for SSI

The Social Security Administration provides an application form on its website. You can also visit your local Social Security office, but be sure to call ahead for an appointment.

You must receive your SSI benefit payments electronically if you’re approved.

The Bottom Line

Qualifying for SSI can be a bit of a challenge, and it begins with understanding all these rules.

“The income and resource limits that are used to determine eligibility help to ensure that it goes to those who are most in need,” Bennett says. “It can provide a cushion of comfort if you’re blind, disabled, or age 65 or older with limited income and resources.”