The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is the foundation of SSI payments. Understanding it helps you know what to expect from your benefits. Here's what you need to know.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What the FBR is
- Current FBR amounts
- What affects your actual payment
- State supplements
1. What the FBR Is
Definition: The Federal Benefit Rate is the maximum federal SSI payment amount that an eligible individual or couple can receive.
How it works:
- Set by Congress
- Adjusted annually for inflation
- Applies nationwide
- Starting point for SSI calculation
What it represents:
- Maximum federal payment
- Before any reductions
- For eligible recipients
- Living independently
Who receives it:
- Those with no other income
- Living independently
- Meeting all requirements
- No reductions apply
2. Current FBR Amounts
2026 Federal Benefit Rate:
- Individual: Approximately $967/month
- Couple (both eligible): Approximately $1,450/month
- Updated each January
- Based on COLA
How it's calculated:
- Based on prior year's FBR
- Plus COLA percentage
- Rounded as required
- Effective January
Annual changes:
- COLA announced in October
- New amounts in January
- Adjust your budget accordingly
- Check ssa.gov for exact amounts
Important: The FBR is the maximum. Most people receive less due to income or living situation adjustments.
3. What Affects Your Actual Payment
Countable income:
- Earned income (after exclusions)
- Unearned income (after exclusions)
- Reduces FBR dollar for dollar (unearned)
- Or 1-for-2 (earned)
Living arrangement:
- Living in own household: Full FBR
- Living in another's household: May be reduced
- In-Kind Support counted
- Reduced by up to 1/3 + $20
In-Kind Support and Maintenance:
- Food or shelter provided
- Counts as income
- Reduces payment
- PMV rule may limit reduction
Example reductions:
- Living rent-free: Up to ~$342 reduction
- Having income: Reduces by amount after exclusions
- Both: Combined reductions
Your actual payment:
- FBR
- Minus income (after exclusions)
- Minus ISM reduction (if applicable)
- Plus state supplement (if any)
- Equals your payment
4. State Supplements
What they are:
- Additional payments from states
- On top of federal FBR
- Vary by state
- Not all states have them
States with supplements:
- California (substantial)
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- Many others
States with little/no supplement:
- Some states have minimal supplements
- Check your specific state
- Varies considerably
Types of supplements:
- Mandatory: For specific situations
- Optional: State chooses to provide
- Some based on living situation
- Others are standard additions
How to find your state's supplement:
- Contact your state social services
- Check with SSA
- State disability resources
- May vary by living situation
FBR and Resource Limit
Different concepts:
- FBR: Maximum monthly payment
- Resource limit: Maximum savings/assets
- Both affect SSI
- Different rules
Resource limit:
- $2,000 individual
- $3,000 couple
- Separate from payment calculation
- Exceed = ineligible
Planning Around FBR
Budgeting:
- Know maximum you can receive
- Plan for less (due to reductions)
- State supplement if applicable
- Build realistic budget
If payment seems wrong:
- Calculate based on FBR
- Account for your reductions
- Compare to actual payment
- Contact SSA if discrepancy
How Purple Helps
- Track your payments
- See how much you receive
- Monitor for changes
- Manage within your budget
- Clear financial picture