SSI Benefits 2027 With a $1,029 Monthly Payment, Eligibility and How to Apply (Updated October 2026)

Last updated: November 2, 2026. Figures are from the Social Security Administration's 2027 announcements. Confirm details with the SSA before you act.

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and who have little income and few resources. For 2027 the maximum federal SSI payment is $1,029 a month for an individual and $1,544 for an eligible couple, up from $994 and $1,491 in 2026. The higher amount starts with the payment made on December 31, 2026. You do not need a work history to qualify, because SSI is a needs-based program.

2027 SSI numbers at a glance

Maximum federal payment, individual	$1,029 a month (was $994)
Maximum federal payment, couple	$1,544 a month (was $1,491)
Essential person amount	$516 a month
Resource limit	$2,000 individual, $3,000 couple (not adjusted for inflation)
First increased payment	December 31, 2026 (the January 2027 payment)
Student earned income exclusion	Up to $2,500 a month, $10,080 a year

Source: SSA 2027 COLA Fact Sheet and SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2027.

Is this the right guide for you? This page covers SSI, the needs-based program. If you are looking for Social Security retirement benefits based on your work record, see how to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. For an overview of retirement, disability and survivor benefits, see Social Security benefits explained.

1. Who Can Get SSI

The SSA says adults and children may be eligible for SSI if they have little or no income, little or no resources, and a disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older. Some groups in more detail:

• People 65 or older: you do not need a disability to get SSI if you meet the age, income and resource rules.
• Adults with a disability: your condition must meet the SSA disability rules. In 2027, earning more than $1,770 a month is generally treated as substantial gainful activity for non-blind applicants.
• People who are blind: you must meet the SSA definition of blindness.
• Children with a disability: the income and resources of parents in the home are partly counted.
• Noncitizens: extra rules apply. Check the SSA noncitizen eligibility page before you apply.

SSI is paid from general tax revenue, not from Social Security payroll taxes. That is the main difference from Social Security retirement and disability benefits, which depend on work credits.

2. 2027 Payment Amounts and Resource Limits

Category	Individual	Couple
Maximum federal payment, 2026	$994	$1,491
Maximum federal payment, 2027	$1,029	$1,544
Countable resource limit	$2,000	$3,000

These are federal maximums. Your actual payment is the federal amount minus your countable income, and some states add a state supplement on top. The SSA calculates the 2027 amounts by raising the 2026 unrounded annual amounts by the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment, dividing by 12 and rounding down to the next whole dollar. For more on the COLA itself, see Social Security COLA 2027 explained.

What counts toward the resource limit

Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks and similar things you own that could be turned into cash. Many things do not count, including:

• The home you live in and the land it is on
• Generally, one vehicle used for transportation
• Burial plots for you or your immediate family, and burial funds of up to $1,500 each for you and your spouse
• Property essential to self-support, such as property used in a trade or business
• Money set aside under a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) if you are blind or have a disability
• Up to $100,000 in an ABLE account

3. How SSI Counts Your Income

The SSA does not count all of your income. According to SSA rules, these are not counted:

• The first $20 of most income you receive in a month
• The first $65 of earnings in a month, plus one half of earnings above $65
• SNAP (food stamp) benefits
• Income tax refunds and most home energy assistance
• Assistance based on need that is funded by a state or local government

Simple example: if your only income is a $300 Social Security check, the SSA subtracts the $20 exclusion, leaving $280 of countable income. With the 2027 federal rate of $1,029, your federal SSI payment would be $1,029 minus $280, or $749 a month, before any state supplement. If you live in someone else's household or receive help with food or shelter, the amount can be different, so ask the SSA about your situation.

4. How to Apply for SSI

1. Check whether you can apply online. Many adults can start an SSI application with an SSDI application at SSA.gov/apply. If you cannot apply online, call 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment with your local office.
2. Gather proof of identity and age, such as a birth certificate, and your Social Security number.
3. Gather proof of income and resources: pay stubs, award letters, bank statements, and information about any vehicles, property or life insurance you own.
4. Gather proof of where you live: a lease, rent receipt or mortgage statement, and the names of people in your household.
5. If you are applying because of a disability or blindness, list your doctors, clinics and hospitals, with dates of visits and the medicines you take.
6. Answer SSA requests quickly and keep copies of everything you send.

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5. After You Are Approved

• Report changes in income, resources, living arrangements or household members. The SSA can send monthly reporting reminders by text or email.
• Check other programs. The SSA points SSI recipients to programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. See Medicaid 2027 income limits and SNAP eligibility 2027.
• Watch for your COLA notice. Learn how to check your 2027 increase online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is SSI in 2027?

The maximum federal SSI payment is $1,029 a month for an individual and $1,544 for an eligible couple. Your payment can be lower if you have countable income, and some states add a supplement.

When does the higher SSI payment start?

The increased amount begins with the payment made on December 31, 2026. That payment is for January 2027, because January 1 is a holiday.

Can I get SSI and Social Security at the same time?

Yes. Some people receive both. Your Social Security benefit counts as income for SSI, after the first $20 is excluded.

Related Guides

• Social Security Benefits 2027 for Retirement, Disability and Survivors (Updated October 2026)
• Social Security COLA 2027 and the 3.6% Increase Explained (Updated October 2026)
• How to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits in 2027, Step by Step
• Medicaid 2027 Income Limits and the New Work Requirement (Updated October 2026)

Sources

• SSA: 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet
• SSA: SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2027
• SSA: Who can get SSI
• SSA: SSI Spotlight on Resources
• SSA: SSI Income
• SSA: Income Exclusions for SSI Program
• SSA publication: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Register: Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Aid Hub is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Always apply through official .gov websites.