New Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income Beneficiaries – Updates and Eligibility Guidelines for SSI Program in the United States

2024-04-26 06:34:00

If you are a beneficiary of the program Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you rent a room or an apartment, you should know that the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) published a final rule that expands the rental subsidy policy for applicants. This is the second of several updates to SSI regulations that will apply starting in September to help people receive and apply for benefits from the federal program.

The SSA is responsible for making deposits to 7.5 million SSI beneficiaries. These are adults and children with disabilities or blindness, who have income and resources below specific financial limits. It also makes payments to people 65 years or older without disabilities who have low economic income (salaries, pension, resources).

SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medications. To be a beneficiary, you must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.

THE NEW BENEFITS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME SECURITY

The Social Security Administration published on April 17 a final rule, Expansion of the rental subsidy policy for Supplemental Security Income applicants and recipients (SSI) that removes barriers to accessing SSI payments.

According to the final rule, starting September 30, 2024Social Security will expand its SSI rental subsidy policy, which, due to court decisions, is currently only in effect for SSI applicants and recipients who reside in seven states (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin).

In those states, rental assistance, such as renting at a discounted rate, was less likely to affect a person’s SSI eligibility or payment amount.

This new rule extends the same advantageous policy to all SSI applicants and beneficiaries nationwide. This may increase the benefit amount some people are eligible to receive and will allow more people to qualify for critical SSI payments.

“Simplifying and expanding our nationwide rent subsidy policy is another common-sense solution that will improve program equity and reduce the time agencies spend calculating and administering rent subsidy.”said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley.

The United States Social Security Administration is responsible for paying SSI and other benefits (Photo: AFP)

HOW MUCH IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PAYMENT?

Below are the average amounts that beneficiaries of the SSI program will receive for the year 2024, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

• Individual Average Payments: US$943
• Average payments per couple: US$1,415
• Essential people: US$473

Remember that, to access this benefit you only need to meet some of the requirements such as being an older adult with limited resources.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

WHAT IS THE SSA?

The United States SSA (Social Security Administration) is a federal government agency charged with administering social insurance programs in the United States.

WHO DOES SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT?

Social Security benefits a wide range of people in society. Primarily, it provides protection and financial security to workers and their families in times of need, such as retirement, disability, illness or death. These are some of the categories of people who benefit from Social Security:

• Active workers: Social Security provides substantial retirement income for those who have worked and contributed to the system throughout their working careers.
• Retirees: Workers who reach retirement age can receive monthly benefits to help them cover basic expenses and maintain their quality of life.

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