This fall, changes are coming to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program that will expand the public definition of a public assistance household, allowing more people to qualify for benefits. These changes will also increase some SSI recipients’ payment amounts and reduce reporting burdens for those living in public assistance homes. Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley has expressed commitment to simplifying policies to make critical benefits more accessible, including SSI and SNAP benefits. The adjustments aim to remove barriers to accessing SSI for low-income families.
The increase in SSI payments will depend on individual circumstances, with recipients in public assistance households no longer having to count assistance from other household members as income. This change could result in higher monthly SSI payments for some individuals. The exact amount of the increase is uncertain and will be announced by the Social Security Administration. The final rule also expands the definition of a public assistance household to include those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and not all household members will need to receive benefits to qualify for SSI.
The changes under the final rule will take effect on September 30, 2024, with potential payment increases starting in October. The rule will also exclude food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations and expand the SSI rental subsidy policy nationwide, making rental assistance less likely to affect SSI eligibility or payment amounts. Eligibility for SSI benefits is based on factors such as age, disability, income, resources, citizenship status, and residency. The program is available to individuals who meet these criteria, including those with limited income, limited resources, and certain student and military family members.
The expansion of the SSI program aims to make critical benefits more accessible to those in need, by simplifying policies and reducing barriers for low-income families. The changes will benefit SSI recipients living in public assistance households, allowing them to qualify for higher payments and reducing reporting burdens. The final rule also includes updates to the definition of a public assistance household, which will take effect in September 2024. Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for SSI benefits may see an increase in their payments due to these changes.
