The Social Security Administration has an important goal, expanding SSI payments and reducing the workload of SSA agents. In this way, both applicants and workers can benefit from these upcoming changes in October.
The Agency has already announced efforts to simplify SSI applications, which will also help low-income applicants. What is more, SSA has simplified the Disability Evaluation Process by reducing the number of years of past work they need to review when you apply.
Upcoming SSI Changes Simplify Applications for Low-Income Americans Starting October 2024
Under the final rule coming into effect on September 30, 2024, SSA will expand the definition of public assistance household. It will then include households getting SNAP benefits, the former Food Stamps program.
What is more, some households where not all family members receive public assistance will also be included. In this way, more American will be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. Some payment amounts will also increase as a result of this change.
Needless to say, these changes will reduce the workload for Social Security workers. Another important change is the expansion of the Supplemental Security Income rental subsidy policy. So far, it is only available in 7 States. Consequently, payment amounts and eligibility may increase.
Social Security will remove barriers to accessing SSI payments
This is another measure that will come into effect on September 30, 2024. As a matter of fact, the agency will no longer include food in the In-kind Support and Maintenance calculations.
That means that if you get free food from your local community, a charity, family, or friends regularly, you may get a reduction in your payment amount. By changing this rule, you may receive more money from this Federal program.
Undoubtedly, it removes a critical barrier for millions of low-income recipients and applicants. This rule could change the monthly payment amount, which is something to worry about when you have a shoestring budget.
Understanding the New SSI Rule Changes: What Recipients Need to Know
Food assistance will no longer be counted as income that reduces an individual’s SSI benefit. The SSA will no longer include food in “in-kind support and maintenance” (ISM) calculations. This removes a barrier for SSI eligibility due to receipt of informal food assistance from friends, family and community support.
The definition of a “public assistance household” is expanded. Previously, all household members had to receive public assistance for the household to qualify. Now, a household qualifies if it has both an SSI applicant/recipient and at least one other member receiving a means-tested public income maintenance payment like SNAP. This allows more people to qualify for SSI and potentially receive a higher payment.
The SSI rental subsidy exception, currently only available in 7 states, will apply nationwide. If an SSI recipient pays rent equal to or greater than the “Presumed Maximum Value”, SSA will assume it is a business arrangement and not reduce the SSI benefit. This makes it less likely rental assistance will affect SSI eligibility or payment amounts.