How Much Will SSI Checks Be In 2022?

The Supplemental Security Income program is administered through the Social Security Administration, but it is not funded by Social Security taxes as is the Social Security Disability Insurance program. Instead, SSI benefits are funded by general tax revenues collected by the federal government.

The SSI program includes monthly benefits to qualified adults and children for basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing. The amount that people get each month through SSI is not the same for everyone. For example, if someone lets you live in their home without charge, the value of the monthly rent that you are not paying may be counted as income to reduce your monthly SSI benefit.

The state where you live is another factor that could change your monthly benefit. Some states supplement federal SSI checks with money from the state to increase the total that you receive each month.

In order to give you a better understanding of how much will SSI checks be in 2022, here is a look at the SSI program and its benefits. Keep in mind that your best source for accurate and current information about all Social Security disability programs is a disability lawyer or advocate at London Disability.

How much will SSI checks be in 2022?

The maximum federal monthly SSI benefit for 2022 is $841 for an individual and $1,261 for an eligible couple. The amount that you receive changes annually based on cost-of-living adjustments. For example, the maximum monthly SSI benefit for 2023 will be $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples because of an 8.7% cost of living increase effective in January 2023.

If you receive income from sources other than SSI, it may count toward decreasing the monthly benefit payment that you receive. Countable income may include:

• Wages from job or earnings from self-employment
• Social Security benefits
• Interest and dividends
• Unemployment benefits
• State disability payments
• Money given to you by friends or relatives
• The fair market value of food and shelter given to you without charge

However, not all of the income that you receive is counted. For instance, the first $65 of earned income and one-half of the balance in excess of the first $65 do not count for purposes of determining your monthly SSI benefit. There are other exclusions that an SSI lawyer or disability advocate at London Disability can review with you during a free consultation.

State payments that may increase your 2022 SSI checks

Some states supplement the federal SSI benefit with payments of their own provided you live in one of those states. The following states offer a monthly supplement, but their programs are administered by the Social Security Administration or have a dual administration arrangement:

• California
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• District of Columbia

The following states and territories do not supplement the federal SSI benefit payments:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Mississippi
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• West Virginia
• Northern Mariana Islands

All other states not previously mentioned pay a state supplement through programs administered by state agencies. If you need additional information about state payments that you may be entitled to receive in addition to the federal SSI payment, speak with an SSD lawyer.

What is deemed income, and how does it affect your SSI check?

A portion of the income of a spouse or parent may be taken into consideration in determining eligibility of a spouse or child applying for SSI benefits. If you are married and living with your spouse, part of your spouse