Can I Buy a Car While on SSI or SSDI?
- Purple
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
How owning a vehicle affects your disability benefits—and what rules to follow
Introduction: Want to Buy a Car on Disability? Here’s What to Know
If you're receiving SSI or SSDI, you might be wondering:
🚗 Can I own a car while on disability?
💸 Will buying a vehicle put my benefits at risk?
📋 Do I have to tell SSA if I buy a car?
The good news is:
✅ Yes—you can own a car while receiving SSI or SSDI.
⚠️ But the rules are very different depending on the program—and how many cars you own.
In this post, we’ll cover:
✅ What SSA allows under SSI and SSDI
✅ How many cars you can own
✅ How the value of the car affects your benefits
✅ How Purple helps you protect your eligibility while budgeting for big purchases
1. Can You Buy a Car While on SSDI?
✅ Yes—and there’s no asset limit
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can own:
A car
A truck
Multiple vehicles
A house
Savings accounts
💡 SSDI is not needs-based—it’s based on your work history. SSA doesn’t care how much your car is worth or how many assets you have.
2. Can You Buy a Car While on SSI?
✅ Yes—but with limits
SSI is a needs-based program with a strict $2,000 asset limit ($3,000 for couples).But SSA makes an exception for one vehicle, no matter its value.
✅ You’re allowed to own:
One car or truck, regardless of what it’s worth
It must be used for transportation for yourself or a household member
💡 Even if your car is brand new or worth $30,000+, it won’t count against your SSI asset limit—as long as it’s your only vehicle.
⚠️ What if you own more than one vehicle?
Any additional vehicles do count as resources and could put you over the $2,000 limit.
📌 Example: If you inherit a second car or keep an old one after buying a new one, the extra vehicle's value could reduce or stop your SSI.
3. Do You Have to Tell SSA If You Buy a Car?
Yes—especially if you're on SSI.
SSA needs to:
Verify that your car is excluded from the resource limit
Make sure it’s being used for transportation purposes
Document its value and usage in your record
💡 If you’re buying a car while receiving SSI, it’s best to call SSA or report the change via SSA.gov or by visiting your local office.
4. How to Buy a Car Without Losing Your Benefits
✅ Use exempt funds if possible
SSA won’t count certain income (like some back pay or tax refunds) for up to 9 months—you can use that to buy a vehicle.
✅ Sell or give up extra vehicles
If you already have a car, don’t keep a second one unless you can prove it’s necessary—and even then, it may be counted as a resource.
✅ Document your purchase
Save the bill of sale and title in case SSA asks for verification. Purple can help you store those securely.
5. How Purple Helps You Budget for Big Purchases Like a Car
💜 Track Your SSI Asset LimitSee your total balance at all times, with alerts when you’re getting close to $2,000
💜 Document SpendingUpload your vehicle purchase paperwork to keep everything organized in case SSA asks
💜 Smart TaggingLabel deposits and expenses (back pay, one-time income, car-related spending) to stay compliant
💜 Companion AI SupportAsk, “Can I buy this car on SSI?” or “Will this count against my asset limit?” and get instant answers
📌 With Purple, you can make big financial decisions confidently—without risking your benefits.
FAQs About Cars and Disability Benefits
⚠️ Can I buy a car with my SSI back pay?
Yes—and if you use the funds within 9 months, it won’t affect your eligibility. Just be sure to report the purchase.
⚠️ Can I own a car and still qualify for SSI?
Yes—as long as it’s one vehicle used for transportation, it doesn’t count toward your $2,000 limit.
⚠️ Will SSA check the value of my car?
They may ask for the title or purchase price—but the value doesn’t matter if it’s your only car.
⚠️ What if someone gives me a car?
SSA may treat that as a gift—but if it’s your only vehicle, it’s still excluded. You must report it to SSA.
Conclusion: You Can Own a Car on Disability—But Know the Rules
✅ SSDI allows you to own any car, with no asset limit
✅ SSI allows one vehicle, no matter the value
✅ A second vehicle could count against your benefits
✅ Report any new vehicle to SSA to avoid trouble
✅ Use Purple to track, document, and manage your spending with confidence
💜 Open a Purple account and make smart, SSI-safe financial moves—without losing your peace of mind.