How Much Money Can You Make and Still Get SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is federal program run by the Social Social Security Administration that’s available to people with limited income and resources. In 2026, an applicant generally cannot have more than $2,073 in monthly wages to qualify, or $1,690 if under age 65 and not blind. Unearned income, such as pensions or unemployment benefits, counts differently and can reduce the payment more quickly. Because the Social Security Administration excludes some earnings and the first $20 of most income, many people are able to bring in modest wages and still remain eligible.¹

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your needs and goals.

What Is SSI?

SSI is a needs-based federal program aimed at helping individuals who are age 65 or older, as well as adults and children who are blind or have qualifying disabilities. It provides financial assistance for basic needs, healthcare coverage and even work incentives to eligible individuals.

The Social Security Amendments of 1972 created social security disability, which began operations in 1974, aiming to alleviate poverty among the most vulnerable members of society. These amendments set out to consolidate and streamline various state-administered programs that provided aid to individuals with limited income, particularly older, blind, and disabled populations.

Before 1972, there were a multitude of state-run programs offering aid, but these varied significantly in eligibility criteria, benefit amounts and coverage.

Noteworthy changes included standardizing eligibility criteria and benefit amounts across the country, as well as expanding coverage to include not only older adults but also blind and disabled individuals who met specific criteria regarding income and resources.

Qualifications and Benefits for SSI

A Social Security Disability Claim form.

To qualify for SSI, recipients must be 65 or older, blind or disabled, have limited income and resources.

According to the Social Security Administration, you cannot “earn more than $2,073 from work each month.” Additionally, your resources should not be more than $2,000 for individuals ($3,000 for couples). And, if you’re a parent applying for a child, your resource limit can increase by $2,000.

For applicants age 64 or younger, they must have a disability that affects their ability to work for at least one year, could result in death, or limits daily activity severely.

The Social Security Administration says that applicants with disabilities will need to prove that they earned less than $1,690 per month from work in the month they’re applying. But citizens age 65 or older don’t need to have a disability to receive SSI.

Applications for SSI can be made online, by phone or in person. The process involves a detailed review of the applicant’s medical and financial information.

Monthly SSI amounts for 2026 are:²

$994 per month for an eligible individual
$1,491 per month for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse
$498 per month for an essential person

This is slightly up from 2025:

$967 per month for an eligible individual
$1,450 per month for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse
$484 per month for an essential person

Can You Qualify for SSI and SSA Benefits?

There are specific income limits for SSI benefits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work at all. When you work at an eligible job you can qualify for work credits which helps you qualify for disability and retirement benefits.

The Social Security Administration says that when you qualify for SSI, you may also be eligible for Social Security benefits. In fact, when you apply for SSI benefits, the application is the same application for Social Security benefits.

To qualify for Social Security benefits as a worker, you need to meet specific criteria. First, you must be at least 62 years old or have a disability or blindness. Additionally, you must have enough work credits to be insured.

Take note: For applications submitted from December 1, 1996 onwards, you are required to be a U.S. citizen or a “lawfully present noncitizen.” This means that if you do not meet these citizenship or residency requirements, you will not be eligible to get monthly Social Security benefits.

The amount you need to earn previously can vary from year to year.

How to Supplement SSI

You can supplement your SSI benefits by earning income from work, receiving financial assistance from other government programs or using investment and savings accounts. Here are seven common ways:

State supplementation: Some states provide additional funds on top of the federal SSI payment to enhance support for eligible individuals.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): If an individual qualifies for both SSI and SSDI, they may receive benefits from both programs, potentially increasing their total financial assistance.
Additional state and federal programs: Other government programs, such as Medicaid, food assistance programs (like SNAP), housing assistance, and energy bill assistance, can complement SSI benefits, providing further support.
Work incentives and employment support: Programs like the Ticket to Work initiative offer resources to help SSI recipients return to work, allowing them to earn income while still receiving some benefits and support services.
Veterans benefits: Veterans may qualify for additional benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) alongside SSI benefits.
Supplemental nutrition programs: SSI recipients might be eligible for various nutrition programs beyond basic food assistance, like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, offering nutritional support for specific groups.
Local community and non-profit organizations: Charities, community-based organizations, and non-profits often offer support services, including financial assistance or vouchers, to supplement SSI benefits for necessities like rent, utilities, and medical expenses.

How Work Affects Your SSI Payment

Many SSI recipients believe that earning any income means losing all benefits. That’s not true. The Social Security Administration uses a formula that lets you earn some money while keeping most of your monthly payment. Understanding how your earnings reduce benefits can help you decide whether to work and how much to earn.

The Earnings Formula

SSI uses a simple calculation: The first $65 of your monthly earnings is excluded. After that, for every $2 you earn, your SSI payment reduces by $1. This means you can earn modest wages and still receive most of your benefit.

For example, if you’re an eligible individual receiving $994 per month in 2026 and you earn $200 per month:³

Your Earnings	$200
Excluded amount	$65
Earnings over exclusion	$135
Reduction (50% of $135)	$67.50
Your monthly SSI payment (2026)	$994
SSI after work reduction	$926.50
Total monthly income (earnings + SSI)	$1,126.50

Without working, you’d receive $994. By working and earning $200, you receive $1,126.50 total. You keep your SSI benefits and add income on top.

Working More Hours

The formula changes if you earn significantly more. If you earn $400 per month:

Your Earnings	$400
Excluded amount	$65
Earnings over exclusion	$335
Reduction (50% of $335)	$167.50
Your monthly SSI payment (2026)	$826.50
Total monthly income (earnings + SSI)	$1,226.50

You still come out ahead. You lose $167.50 in SSI but gain $400 in wages, netting $232.50 additional income.

Work Incentive Programs

The Social Security Administration offers programs that protect more of your earnings. The Ticket to Work program allows beneficiaries to work while maintaining SSI and Medicaid coverage without worrying about losing benefits immediately. The Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without affecting your eligibility. For students under age 22, the Student Earned Income Exclusion allows you to exclude up to $9,730 annually in earnings for 2026, meaning work earnings don’t reduce your SSI at all.⁴

These programs exist specifically to encourage work. If you’re considering employment, ask your local Social Security office about which programs apply to your situation.

Tax Implications

Your SSI payment itself is not taxable income, but wages you earn are. If you earn $400 monthly, you owe federal income tax on that $400 depending on your total income and filing status. Self employment income also requires you to pay self employment tax. Unearned income like pensions or unemployment benefits reduces your SSI payment more aggressively than earned income, so working is generally better than receiving unearned benefits.

Why Work Can Be Strategic

Many SSI recipients can work more than expected and stay eligible. The combination of the $65 exclusion plus the 50% reduction formula means earning up to roughly $2,000 per month still allows you to keep some SSI benefits while taking home significantly more total income. Work incentive programs extend this advantage even further. Before declining a job opportunity, run the numbers with your local Social Security office to see how your specific earnings would affect your benefits during retirement.

Bottom Line

To qualify for SSI benefits, you must meet requirements set by the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. These establish specific income and resource limits, as well as age, disability or blindness criteria, and U.S. citizen and noncitizen status.

Tips for Retirement Planning

Understanding your Social Security benefits is only one part of retirement planning. A financial advisor can help you estimate your benefits and then create a plan to supplement your retirement income. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
You can also use SmartAsset’s free Social Security calculator to help you estimate what your potential benefits will be.