It has recently been announced that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has made changes that may result in increased payments to some of its beneficiaries. In a recent update, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a change in eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSA’s revised rental subsidy policy aims to reduce the likelihood that rental assistance will adversely affect a person’s SSI eligibility or benefits.
Financial assistance is provided through SSI to people with disabilities or blindness, as well as elderly people 65 years of age and older with limited resources and income. Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payments may not fully cover the basic living expenses of those who qualify, let alone some of the more costly side effects of disabilities, which are often supplemented by these payments. As of January 2023, approximately 7.4 million individuals were receiving SSI benefits, with an average monthly payment of $654.
SSI recipients and the expansion of Social Security
SSA’s updated rental subsidy policy has already been implemented in seven states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. These early implementations occurred due to local judicial rulings and have helped set the stage for a wider rollout across the country. SSI recipients in all 50 states will be covered by this policy as of September 30, this year.
As a result of the new policy, the maximum monthly payment amount set by the Social Security Administration for 2024 will not be altered, but many current SSI recipients who don’t already qualify for the maximum may receive a larger amount. In a press release issued on April 17, the SSA stressed the importance of expanding eligibility, allowing more individuals to qualify for these essential benefits.
The SSA is committed to ensuring that eligible individuals receive the benefits they are entitled to. Social Security commissioner Martin O’Malley highlighted the significance of the rental subsidy change, stating, “Our mission is to continue to help people access essential benefits, including Social Security benefits.” The simplest and most common-sense solution to improving program equality and reducing agency time spent calculating and administering rental subsidies is to simplify and expand our rental subsidy policy nationwide.”
The SSA is continuing to simplify SSI benefits and make them more accessible through this rental subsidy update. According to the SSA, food will no longer be included in its calculations for In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). Food assistance provided by friends, family, and community support networks to SSI applicants and recipients was previously considered informal food assistance. SSA explained that applicants and recipients would have fewer reporting requirements if food was removed from ISM calculations. In addition to reducing fluctuations in payment amounts, this change aims to minimize payment errors, which have been of concern to many Social Security recipients.
Overall, these adjustments reflect the SSA’s commitment to improving the efficiency and fairness of the SSI program. The SSA seeks to improve the SSI program by revising policies that affect eligibility and payment amounts. In spite of the fact that the rental subsidy change does not increase the maximum benefit amount, it represents a significant step toward expanding access to Social Security and ensuring that recipients receive the appropriate level of assistance, whether it is from the government or from loved ones who wish to provide assistance.
