$967 and $1,450 SSI Payments to Arrive in Less Than Two Weeks: Millions Await

In the month of May, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to dozens of thousands of beneficiaries across the United States. Provides financial assistance to people with limited income and resources, including people over 65 years of age, people who are blind or have disabilities.

For the month of May 2025, benefits will be $967 for an eligible single individual, and up to $1,450 for a cohabiting couple receiving benefits jointly. The amounts listed are the maximum federal values, but beneficiaries may receive lower amounts based on additional income, living arrangements, or state supplements.

For example, if an individual lives with another person without contributing equally to expenses such as food or rent, their payment could be reduced by up to $342.33. Additionally, for every $2 earned from work, the benefit decreases by about $1, and for every $1 of unearned income (such as pensions), it decreases by the same amount.

Who is eligible for SSI payments of up to $1,450?

SSI is a need-based program, unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires a work history. It is designed to cover basic needs such as food, housing, and clothing, and is often supplemented with other supports such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

To be considered eligible for SSI, applicants must meet specific requirements in five categories: age or disability, income, resources, citizenship, and residency. They are composed as follows:

🔹 Age or disability:

• People of 65 years or older They do not need to prove disability.
  
• Blindness: defined as a visual acuity of 20/200 or less with optical correction, or a visual field restricted to 20 degrees or less.
  
• Disability:
  
  • In adults: must prevent significant work activities for at least 12 months the being mortal.
    
  • In minors under 18 years of age: it must cause severe functional limitations with the same duration.
    

🔹 Income and resource limits:

• Income:
  
  • Generally they should not exceed $2,019 monthly for individuals.
    
  • Labor and non-labor income (pensions, unemployment benefits, etc.) are included.
    
• Features:
  
  • Limit $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
    
  • Certain essential goods are excluded, such as main residence o one vehicle.

Other requirements are citizenship (being American citizens or legal residents qualified as refugees, asylums seekers, veterans, among others), having residence in the 50 states of the United States or the District of Columbia (residents of the Northern Mariana Islands are also eligible).

Those who are incarcerated for a full month, have transferred resources to reduce their assets (maybe ineligible for up to 36 months), and those who have been outside the US for more than 30 days do not qualify, with exceptions such as students or military family members.

The SSA offers expedited procedures for serious cases, such as certain cancers or rare disorders in children, under the Compassionate Clearances (CAL) program. Additionally, people about to be released from prison can apply for SSI in advance through the Prerelease Procedure. Some states offer additional supplements to the federal payment, which do not affect the base amount. To check eligibility or calculate benefits, the SSA recommends checking its online tools or visiting a local office.