As October approaches, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced an increase in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks for thousands of low-income Americans aged 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, and children meeting specific financial criteria. For over five decades, the SSI program has been a lifeline for those struggling to meet their basic living expenses. However, despite the assistance this program provides, millions of Americans still face barriers to accessing these benefits due to stringent eligibility criteria.

The SSA’s confirmation of the SSI check increase marks a significant development for many Americans. Currently, Congress imposes restrictions on individuals and couples who apply for SSI, including asset limits that have remained unchanged since 1989. These outdated limits make it increasingly challenging for SSI beneficiaries to save money, potentially leading to further financial hardship. It’s important to note that any changes to these asset limits and related regulations can only be enacted by Congress, as they are defined by law.

For years, Congress has debated potential changes to the SSI asset limits. In 2003, a congressional committee proposed raising the asset cap from $2,000 to $3,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $4,500 for couples, suggesting that these amounts should be adjusted for inflation. Although various legislative proposals have emerged since then, real progress remains elusive. Nevertheless, the SSA is actively seeking to assist Congress in discussions regarding these necessary changes.

While only Congress can implement significant modifications, the SSA is making administrative strides to improve SSI regulations, aiming to streamline processes and better serve individuals with disabilities. Notably, three enhancements to the SSI program, announced earlier this year, took effect recently, promising new or increased benefits for hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans. Here’s a summary of these enhancements:

• The SSA will no longer consider food aid provided by friends and family when assessing eligibility based on the in-kind support and maintenance (IMS) rules. This change is expected to help more individuals qualify for SSI benefits and increase monthly payments for over 90,000 recipients by approximately $131.
• Initially applicable in just seven states, the rental subsidy exception is now being extended nationwide. This expansion may allow more individuals to qualify and could raise SSI payments for about 41,000 recipients by $132 per month.
• The SSA will broaden its definition of a public assistance household to include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Additionally, the requirement that all household members receive public assistance to be classified as such will be eliminated. These adjustments could enhance SSI payments for around 277,000 individuals and simplify reporting requirements for those living in public assistance households.

As for the financial support recipients can expect from their SSI checks, the amounts vary based on income, resources, and the filing category selected during the application process. Here are the confirmed SSI payment amounts for 2024:

• Social Security payments: Average of $698
• Other payments:
• Individuals: $943
• Couples: $1,415
• Essential person: $472

With the upcoming cost of living adjustment (COLA) confirmed for this week, SSI recipients are likely to see a 2.5% increase in their payments for 2025. This adjustment means recipients could receive an average of $715 monthly, while individuals and couples may qualify for up to $967 and $1,450, respectively.

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