SSI calculator 2026 (Supplemental Security Income)

This SSI calculator estimates your monthly Supplemental Security Income payment for 2026. Enter your other income – Social Security, pensions or wages – and how you live: the calculator applies the $20 and $65 exclusions, counts only half of your earnings and subtracts the result from the 2026 federal benefit rate of $994 ($1,491 for a couple).

Example: Who gets SSI: one person · Living arrangement: I pay my own rent or housing costs (or my share) · Unearned income per month 300 $ · Gross wages per month 0 $ · Countable resources (savings, cash, second car …) 0 $ → Federal SSI payment per month: US$714.00. Source: Social Security Act §1611(b), §1617, SSA Office of the Chief Actuary – SSI federal payment amounts for 2026: $994 individual, $1,491 couple (read 09.10.2026). Updated: 9 October 2026.

Who gets SSI

Living arrangement

Unearned income per month

Social Security, pensions, VA, unemployment, cash gifts

Gross wages per month

wages before taxes or net self-employment earnings

Countable resources (savings, cash, second car …)

not counted: your home, one car, household goods

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Result

Federal SSI payment per month: US$714.00
Per year: US$8,568.00 a year
Calculation: Item Amount Basis
Federal benefit rate 2026 US$994.00 eligible individual
Countable unearned income US$280.00 minus the $20 general exclusion
Countable earned income US$0.00 (wages − $65) ÷ 2
Total countable income US$280.00
SSI payment per month US$714.00 US$994.00 − countable income; Income limits for your situation: about US$1,014.00 a month if all income is unearned, about US$2,073.00 if it is all wages. Estimate of the federal payment only. Not included: state supplements, income of a spouse or parents you live with (deeming), the student earned income exclusion, work expenses and PASS. Since 30 September 2024 food you receive no longer reduces SSI.

Item	Amount	Basis
Federal benefit rate 2026	US$994.00	eligible individual
Countable unearned income	US$280.00	minus the $20 general exclusion
Countable earned income	US$0.00	(wages − $65) ÷ 2
Total countable income	US$280.00
SSI payment per month	US$714.00	US$994.00 − countable income

How it is calculated

The maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for an eligible couple. SSI is reduced by your countable income: the first $20 of any income does not count, and of your wages the first $65 and half of the rest are ignored. With $300 of Social Security you get $994 − $280 = $714 in SSI.

SSI amounts and limits 2026

	Individual	Couple
Federal benefit rate per month	$994	$1,491
Resource limit	$2,000	$3,000
Maximum shelter support counted	$351.33	$517
Income limit, only unearned income	$1,014	$1,511
Income limit, only wages	$2,073	$3,067

How the calculator works

Unearned income (Social Security, pensions, shelter paid by others) minus the $20 general exclusion.
Earned income: wages minus any unused part of the $20, minus $65, divided by 2.
Shelter help: if someone pays your rent or utilities, that counts as income up to one-third of $994 plus $20 = $351.33. If you live in another person’s home and pay nothing for shelter, the benefit rate is cut by one-third ($331.33).
Payment: benefit rate minus countable income – zero if your resources exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple).

Examples

$300 Social Security: $300 − $20 = $280 → $714 SSI (SSA example A), $8,568 a year.
$317 wages: ($317 − $20 − $65) ÷ 2 = $116 → $878 (SSA example B).
$300 Social Security and $500 wages: $280 + ($500 − $65) ÷ 2 = $497.50 → $496.50.
Your sibling pays your $800 rent: counted at $351.33 − $20 = $331.33 → $662.67.
Someone pays your $100 electric bill: $100 − $20 = $80 → $914.
Living in your daughter’s home, paying nothing for shelter, $300 Social Security: $994 − $331.33 = $662.67, minus $280 → $382.67.
Couple with $1,000 Social Security together: $1,491 − $980 = $511, $255.50 each.

If you also get Social Security, the Social Security benefits calculator estimates that benefit. Veterans can check their compensation with the VA disability calculator.

Limits

SSI is for people 65 or older, blind or disabled, with low income and few resources. Many states add a state supplement, which is not included here. If you live with a spouse or (for a child under 18) with parents who do not get SSI, part of their income is counted (deeming) – this calculator does not do that, so SSI for a child depends heavily on the parents’ income. Payments are made from the first full month after you apply. This is an estimate; Social Security decides on your actual payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum SSI payment in 2026?

$994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple. Some states pay a supplement on top.

How much can I earn and still get SSI?

With only wages, SSI stops at about $2,073 a month in 2026, because the first $85 and half of the rest are not counted. With only unearned income such as Social Security the limit is $1,014.

How does Social Security affect SSI?

Social Security counts as unearned income. After the $20 exclusion, every dollar reduces SSI by one dollar: $300 of Social Security leaves $714 of SSI.

What is the SSI resource limit?

$2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Your home, one car, household goods and certain burial funds are not counted.

Does free food reduce SSI?

Not since 30 September 2024. Only help with shelter – rent, mortgage, property tax and utilities – reduces SSI, by at most $331.33 a month for an individual.

Is SSI the same as Social Security disability?

No. SSDI depends on your work record; SSI is a needs-based payment funded by general taxes. You can receive both if your SSDI is low.

Sources and legal basis

As of: 9 October 2026 · Editorial policy