How much SSI will you receive in 2026? The amount depends on federal rates, state supplements, and your personal situation. Here's everything you need to know.
In this article, we'll cover:
- 2026 federal SSI rates
- State supplements
- What reduces your payment
- How to maximize benefits
2026 Federal SSI Payment Rates
Maximum federal SSI benefit (2026):
- Individual: $967/month ($11,604/year)
- Eligible couple: $1,450/month ($17,400/year)
- Essential person: $484/month
2026 COLA increase:
- 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment
- Applied automatically in January
- Based on inflation measure
Compare to 2025:
- Individual was $943/month
- Couple was $1,415/month
- Increase of $24/month for individuals
State Supplements
Many states add to the federal SSI amount. These vary significantly.
States with supplements:
- California: Up to $234 additional
- New York: Up to $87 additional
- Massachusetts: Up to $114 additional
- New Jersey: Up to $32 additional
- Many others have smaller amounts
States without supplements:
- Arizona
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- West Virginia
- Several others
Check your state:
- Contact your local SSA office
- State may have different rules
- Amount may depend on living situation
What Reduces Your SSI Payment
Countable income:
Earned income (work):
- First $65 ignored
- Then half of remaining counts
- Reduces SSI dollar for dollar
Unearned income:
- Social Security, pensions, etc.
- First $20 ignored
- Rest reduces SSI dollar for dollar
Example calculations:
$500 monthly wages:
- $500 - $65 = $435
- $435 ÷ 2 = $217.50 countable
- SSI reduced by $217.50
- Payment: $967 - $217.50 = $749.50
$300 pension:
- $300 - $20 = $280 countable
- SSI reduced by $280
- Payment: $967 - $280 = $687
In-kind support:
- Free food or shelter reduces SSI
- One-third reduction rule may apply
- Calculated monthly
Living arrangements:
- Living in another's household
- In-kind support counted
- Can reduce by up to 1/3
Who Gets the Maximum SSI?
To receive full $967/month:
- No countable income
- No in-kind support
- Living independently
- Meet all eligibility rules
- State supplement adds to this
Most people receive less because:
- Some other income
- Live with family providing support
- State reduction factor
- Specific living arrangement
SSI vs SSDI Amounts
Key differences:
| Factor | SSI | SSDI | |--------|-----|------| | Maximum (2026) | $967 | $4,018 | | Based on | Need | Work history | | Average payment | ~$700 | ~$1,580 | | Income affects | Yes | No | | Resources affect | Yes | No |
Concurrent benefits:
- Can receive both SSI and SSDI
- If SSDI is low, SSI supplements
- Combined up to SSI maximum
How Your Payment Is Calculated
Step 1: Start with federal rate
- $967 for individuals
- $1,450 for couples
Step 2: Add state supplement
- Varies by state
- May depend on living situation
Step 3: Subtract countable income
- Apply income exclusions first
- Subtract from total
Step 4: Check living arrangement
- Apply any reductions
- In-kind support adjustments
Your payment = Result of calculation
Monthly Payment Variations
Why payments change month to month:
- Income varies
- Living situation changes
- In-kind support received
- Reporting timing
Stabilizing your payment:
- Consistent reporting
- Same living situation
- Predictable income
- No unreported changes
Maximizing Your SSI
Report accurately:
- Don't over-report income
- Claim all exclusions
- Report expenses that count
Understand exclusions:
- Student earned income exclusion
- PASS program
- Impairment-related work expenses
- Blind work expenses
ABLE accounts:
- Save without affecting SSI
- First $100,000 doesn't count
- Can affect state supplement
Living arrangements:
- Independent living = higher SSI
- Contributing to household helps
- Document your contributions
Common Questions
When do I get the 2026 increase? January 2026. Your first payment at the new rate arrives January 1 (or December 31, 2025, since January 1 is a holiday).
Why is my payment less than $967? Most likely due to countable income, in-kind support, or living arrangement reductions.
Will my payment increase if I move? Possibly. Moving to a state with higher supplements or to independent living could increase payment.
How do I know my exact amount? Check your My Social Security account or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
How Purple Helps
Purple helps you make the most of your SSI:
- Get your full payment up to 4 days early
- No fees reducing your benefit
- Track your balance easily
- Stay under resource limits
- Simple account management
With Purple, you can access your SSI faster and keep more of your money.