SSI payments are for low-income Americans. Sometimes you may not have enough money to pay all the necessary expenses but you still do not qualify for Supplemental Security Income.
Apart from having a low income, that is no to little earnings or money on hand, you must have a disability, be blind, or be at least 65. Social Security has confirmed new changes to expand access to Supplemental Security Income.
WHEN WILL SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGE SSI RULES?
The new rules to expand access to SSI benefit payments will take place on September 30, 2024. Even if there are a few months ahead, it will be worth waiting because you can receive a monthly payment.
Do not forget that even if you receive an average payment it will be worth it. Seniors aged 65 or older get about $574 per month on average. Those aged 18-64 get about $743. The maximum benefit for a single person is $943 and $1,415 for married couples.
The best thing about this SSI access expansion is the fact that there will be several rules that will come into effect on September 30, 2024. So, you may benefit from more than one rule.
WHAT ARE THE NEW SSI RULES?
The current rules include food and/or shelter as part of unearned income. As it counts as unearned income, it may reduce the amount of your Supplemental Security Income benefits.
The new rules will not include food assistance in In-Kind Support and Maintenance in calculations. Therefore, you can receive food from family, friends or the local community without affecting your payment amount or eligibility.
The other two rules that Social Security will change will be the S.S.I. rental subsidy policy and they update of the definition of a public assistance household. Both benefits will allow more people to take advantage of this program. So, save the date and apply once September 30 has come.