Social Security, often associated with retirement benefits, plays a vital role in the lives of millions of Americans, especially those relying on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
While the majority of beneficiaries—around 64 million—are retired workers, about 7 million Americans depend on SSI to meet their daily living needs.
These individuals are typically earning less than $1,917 per month. Starting in October, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is rolling out three key changes that will impact the SSI program.
These changes aim to improve financial assistance for eligible individuals and remove barriers to accessing these benefits.
New Changes to the SSI Program in October
On September 30, 2024, three important updates to the SSI program will take effect. These changes are part of SSA’s ongoing efforts to expand the reach and accessibility of SSI benefits for low-income individuals.
Below are the details of these changes and how they might affect recipients.
1. Updates to In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations
One of the major changes is related to how food assistance is counted when determining SSI eligibility. Previously, if an individual received help with food or housing, the SSA treated this support as unearned income, which reduced the SSI payments they were eligible to receive.
This policy often placed additional burdens on those already struggling to make ends meet.
As of October, SSI recipients will be able to receive food assistance from friends or family without it impacting their benefits. This is a significant shift from the previous policy, and many have hailed it as a step toward fairness.
Darcy Milburn, the Director of Social Security and Health Policy at The Arc, a nonprofit organization, emphasized that this change will ease some of the burdens disabled SSI recipients face, calling the previous regulation “complex, unfair, and harmful.”
2. Introduction of a New Public Assistance Household Definition
The second change focuses on how households receiving public assistance are defined. Currently, to qualify for SSI benefits, the household must have at least one member receiving public assistance. Under the new rule, this requirement has been simplified.
Now, only one SSI beneficiary and one other household member receiving public assistance will be required for the household to qualify.
Moreover, the SSA is adding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to its public assistance benefits package, making it easier for low-income families to access both SSI and food assistance.
This change could result in around 277,000 current recipients receiving higher payments, while an estimated 109,000 additional individuals could become eligible for SSI benefits.
3. Expansion of SSI Rent Subsidy Program
The third and final change is the expansion of the SSI rent subsidy policy.
Currently, this subsidy is only available in seven states (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin), where court rulings have allowed rental assistance to have less of an impact on SSI eligibility or payment amounts.
Starting September 30, 2024, the SSA will apply this favorable policy nationwide. This means more individuals who receive rental assistance, such as reduced rent rates, will be eligible for higher SSI payments or may qualify for SSI benefits for the first time.
This update aims to remove yet another barrier to receiving much-needed financial assistance.
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What These Changes Mean for SSI Recipients?
These upcoming changes are designed to simplify the SSI eligibility process and help more individuals access higher payments.
By adjusting policies around in-kind food support, updating the public assistance household definition, and expanding the rent subsidy program, the SSA is ensuring that more low-income individuals can benefit from SSI.
Commissioner of Social Security Martin O’Malley highlighted the importance of these changes, stating that they promote fairness in the system and help remove obstacles that many SSI recipients have faced for years.
For individuals who depend on SSI, these updates offer a much-needed boost to their financial support. As the new rules come into effect, recipients should watch for changes in their monthly payments and eligibility status.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.