If you receive SSI, the $2,000 resource limit is probably one of the most stressful numbers in your life. Go over that limit on the first of any month, and you risk losing your benefits. It's a tight constraint that can make it nearly impossible to save for emergencies, plan for the future, or feel financially secure. Understanding exactly what counts toward the limit—and what doesn't—can help you manage your money without constantly fearing you'll accidentally cross the line.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What the SSI resource limit is and how it works
- What counts as a resource (and what doesn't)
- How Social Security checks your resources
- Strategies for staying under the limit
- What ABLE accounts can do for you
- What happens if you go over the limit
The SSI Resource Limit Explained
The SSI resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for married couples. These limits haven't changed significantly in decades, despite inflation—which is why they feel so restrictive.
Social Security checks your resources on the first day of each month. If your countable resources exceed the limit on that day, you're ineligible for SSI for that entire month. It doesn't matter if your balance drops back below $2,000 on the second day—what matters is where you stood on the first.
This creates a monthly rhythm for many SSI recipients: spend down before the end of the month, make sure you're under $2,000 on the first, then repeat. It's an exhausting way to manage money, but understanding the rules can make it less stressful.
What Counts as a Resource
Resources are things you own that could be converted to cash and used for food or shelter. The main countable resources include:
Cash and bank accounts are the most obvious resources. This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, and any cash you have on hand. The full balance counts, not just what's "available" after pending transactions.
Stocks, bonds, and investments count at their current market value. This includes mutual funds, retirement accounts you can access (like a traditional IRA if you're old enough to withdraw without penalty), and other securities.
Real estate other than your primary home counts as a resource. If you own a rental property or vacant land, its equity (market value minus any mortgage) is a countable resource.
Vehicles beyond your primary one may count. If you own multiple cars, the value of the additional vehicles can be counted as resources.
Life insurance with cash surrender value may count if the total face value of all your policies exceeds $1,500.
What Doesn't Count as a Resource
Fortunately, many things are excluded from the resource calculation:
Your home doesn't count, regardless of its value, as long as you live in it. This is often the largest asset SSI recipients can own without affecting their benefits.
One vehicle is excluded regardless of its value. You don't have to drive a junker to keep SSI—you can own a reliable car.
Household goods and personal belongings like furniture, appliances, clothing, and electronics don't count.
Burial plots and spaces for you and your immediate family are excluded.
Up to $1,500 in burial funds set aside for funeral expenses are excluded, plus any interest earned on those funds. This must be kept separate from your regular savings and designated for burial.
ABLE account balances up to $100,000 are excluded. This is one of the most powerful tools for SSI recipients who want to save more than $2,000.
Property essential for self-support used in a trade or business, or that produces income, may be excluded under certain conditions.
Retroactive SSI or SSDI payments are excluded for nine months after you receive them, giving you time to spend down a lump sum.
How Social Security Checks Your Resources
Social Security uses several methods to verify your resources. When you apply for SSI and during periodic redeterminations, you'll be asked to provide documentation of your bank accounts, investments, property, and other assets.
Social Security also has data-sharing agreements with financial institutions. Through the Access to Financial Institutions (AFI) system, they can verify account balances at banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. This means they can catch discrepancies between what you report and what's actually in your accounts.
You're also required to report changes in your resources within 10 days. If you open a new bank account, receive an inheritance, or have any other significant change in your assets, you need to let Social Security know promptly.
Strategies for Staying Under the Limit
Living under the $2,000 limit requires active management, but there are legitimate strategies that can help.
Time your spending around the first of the month. Pay bills, buy necessities, and make planned purchases before the first of each month so your balance is low when Social Security's snapshot occurs.
Prepay expenses when possible. If you know you'll need to pay for something in the coming months—like insurance premiums, rent, or medical costs—paying ahead can reduce your countable resources.
Use burial fund exclusions. Setting aside up to $1,500 in a designated burial fund removes that money from your countable resources permanently. Many funeral homes offer pre-need arrangements, or you can simply designate a separate account for this purpose.
Buy excluded items you need. If your resources are creeping up, consider purchasing things you actually need that don't count as resources—furniture, appliances, clothing, or home repairs. This converts countable resources (cash) into excluded resources (household goods).
Open an ABLE account. If you qualify (disability onset before age 26), an ABLE account lets you save up to $100,000 without affecting your SSI eligibility. This is by far the most significant way to build savings while on SSI.
Don't keep cash at home thinking it won't be counted. Social Security counts cash regardless of where it's stored. Hiding money doesn't make it not a resource—it just creates potential fraud issues if discovered.
The Power of ABLE Accounts
ABLE accounts deserve special emphasis because they fundamentally change what's possible for SSI recipients. If your disability began before your 26th birthday, you can open an ABLE account and save up to $100,000 without any of it counting toward SSI's resource limit.
You can contribute up to $18,000 per year (in 2026) to an ABLE account, and the funds can be used for any qualified disability expense—which includes housing, food, transportation, education, healthcare, assistive technology, and much more.
The first $100,000 in your ABLE account is completely invisible to SSI. If your ABLE balance goes above $100,000, your SSI payments pause (but don't end permanently) until the balance drops back down.
ABLE accounts aren't available in every state, but you can usually open an account in any state's program regardless of where you live. If you're on SSI and haven't opened an ABLE account yet, it should be a top priority.
What Happens If You Go Over
If your resources exceed $2,000 on the first of the month, you're ineligible for SSI for that month. If it happens repeatedly or for an extended period, you may receive an overpayment notice requiring you to pay back benefits you weren't entitled to receive.
If you accidentally go over the limit, contact Social Security immediately and explain the situation. If you can quickly spend down and get back under the limit, you may only lose eligibility for one month. Being proactive and honest about the situation is always better than trying to hide it.
If Social Security determines you were overpaid, you'll receive a notice explaining how much you owe and your options. You can request a waiver if repayment would cause hardship and the overpayment wasn't your fault, set up a payment plan if you can't repay the full amount at once, or appeal if you believe the overpayment determination was wrong.
Tracking your resources shouldn't require a spreadsheet and constant anxiety. Purple's checking account is built for people on SSI, helping you see exactly where you stand and stay under the resource limit with confidence.