SSI Income Limits 2026: How Much Can You Earn and Still Qualify?
June 30, 2026 · 5 min read · SSI overview
SSI doesn't have a strict income cutoff — instead, your countable income reduces your monthly payment. The 2026 federal benefit rate is $994/month for an individual. Working part-time won't automatically disqualify you; SSA excludes the first $85/month of earned income before calculating your payment.
2026 SSI key figures
| Figure | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Benefit Rate (individual) | $994/month |
| Federal Benefit Rate (couple) | $1,491/month |
| Resource limit (individual) | $2,000 |
| Resource limit (couple) | $3,000 |
| General income exclusion | $20/month |
| Earned income exclusion | $65/month + ½ of rest |
| SGA (non-blind) | $1,690/month |
How SSA calculates your SSI payment
SSA subtracts countable income from your Federal Benefit Rate. Here's an example with part-time work:
Example: You earn $600/month from part-time work
- Start with gross earnings: $600
- Subtract $20 general exclusion: $580
- Subtract $65 earned income exclusion: $515
- Divide by 2 (50% exclusion): $257.50 countable income
- SSI payment = $994 − $257.50 = $736.50/month
Once your countable income reaches $994, your SSI payment reaches $0. For earned income, that happens at roughly $2,073/month gross ($994 × 2 + $85). Many states also supplement federal SSI with a state payment — check your state's supplemental amount.
Resource limits: what counts
Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and any property other than your primary home and one vehicle. If you're over the $2,000 limit ($3,000 for couples), you must spend down resources to qualify. ABLE accounts (enabled through the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) allow people with disabilities to save up to $20,000/year without it counting against the SSI resource limit.
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Check my eligibility →Which income is excluded?
SSA does not count the following as income for SSI:
- The first $20/month of any income (general exclusion)
- The first $65/month of earned income, plus half of remaining earned income
- SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and most home energy assistance
- Irregular or infrequent income: under $20 unearned or $10 earned per month
- Income from certain student scholarships and fellowships
- Impairment-related work expenses (e.g., cost of medications needed to work)
Common questions
What is the SSI income limit in 2026?
There's no hard cutoff — your payment decreases as income increases. At $994+ in countable income, your payment goes to $0. The 2026 federal benefit rate is $994/month for individuals.
Can I work and still get SSI in 2026?
Yes. SSA's earned income exclusions mean you keep more SSI dollars when you work. A person earning $785/month may still receive around $644 in SSI. Work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you save toward a goal without losing benefits.
What is the SSI resource limit in 2026?
$2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples. Your home and one vehicle are excluded. ABLE account balances up to $100,000 are also excluded.
What income is excluded from SSI?
The $20 general exclusion, the $65 earned income exclusion plus half of remaining earned income, SNAP and housing assistance, and several other categories listed above.
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