Three New Regulatory Changes Will Help Expand Access to SSI

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently finalized three Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules that will reduce barriers and expand access to SSI. These rules impact in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) determinations, in which an individual’s SSI benefit can be reduced by up to one-third if SSA determines that they are getting in-kind help with food or shelter from others. These changes will help older adults and individuals with disabilities who live in low-income households to qualify for SSI and receive the full SSI benefit, reduce reporting burdens, and ensure that food received from friends and family is not counted as income that reduces an individual’s SSI benefit. These rules will go into effect on September 30, 2024.

(1) Expand definition of a “public assistance” household: Adds Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a public assistance benefit and defines public assistance household as one where at least one other member of the household receives a public assistance benefit. See SSA press release.

(2) Food (for example from family and friends) will no longer be counted as income, no matter the source, and thus won’t reduce an SSI recipient’s benefits. See SSA press release.

(3) SSA will not reduce the SSI recipient’s benefit if their landlord charges less rent than they charge someone else. Please note, New York already has this in place. See SSA press release.

To learn more, please review Justice in Aging’s fact sheet.

The Disability Advocacy Project (DAP) assists disabled persons in appealing the initial denial of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD) applications. Eligibility for services is usually based on the receipt of Temporary Assistance (cash public assistance) from the Department of Social Services. Nassau residents can call (516) 292-8100 and Suffolk residents can call (631) 232-2400 to be screened for eligibility.