SSI Payment Amounts 2026: How Much You Get After the 2.8% COLA
The 2026 federal SSI rates, income and resource rules, and payment dates — verified from the Social Security Administration.
✓ Every figure on this page verified against the primary government source as of July 16, 2026.
SSI & Social Security 2026 Estimator
Uses the official 2026 figures after the 2.8% COLA (cost-of-living adjustment).
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The 2026 federal SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payment is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple, after the 2.8% COLA. The first 2026-rate payment arrived December 31, 2025. Countable resources must stay under $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple).
Key takeaways
- Expect $994/month as the 2026 individual federal rate — up $27 from 2025.
- Count $1,491/month for an eligible couple — up $41.
- Keep countable resources under $2,000 / $3,000 — the home you live in and one car don't count.
- Deduct income the SSI way: the first $20 is ignored, plus $65 of wages and half of the rest.
- Mark payment day: SSI pays on the 1st of each month, or the business day before when the 1st is a weekend or holiday.
2026 SSI at a glance
| Item | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Federal rate — individual | $967/mo | $994/mo |
| Federal rate — couple | $1,450/mo | $1,491/mo |
| Resource limit — individual | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Resource limit — couple | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Student earned-income exclusion (monthly) | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| Student earned-income exclusion (annual) | $9,460 | $9,730 |
How income changes your SSI check
SSI is a needs-based program — the federal rate is a ceiling, not a flat grant. SSA ignores the first $20 of income from any source each month. For wages, it also ignores the first $65 and then counts only half of the remainder. Unearned income (Social Security, VA benefits, pensions) counts dollar-for-dollar after the $20 exclusion. Whatever is countable gets subtracted from $994 (or $1,491 for a couple). Living in someone else's household without paying your share can also reduce the payment by up to one-third.
2026 SSI payment dates
| Benefit month | SSI payment date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Dec 31, 2025* |
| February 2026 | Jan 30 |
| March 2026 | Feb 27 |
| April 2026 | Apr 1 |
| May 2026 | May 1 |
| June 2026 | Jun 1 |
| July 2026 | Jul 1 |
| August 2026 | Jul 31 |
| September 2026 | Sep 1 |
| October 2026 | Oct 1 |
| November 2026 | Oct 30 |
| December 2026 | Dec 1 |
*January 2026's payment arrived December 31, 2025 because January 1 is a holiday.
How SSI interacts with other benefits
- Medicaid: in most states an SSI award enrolls you automatically — no separate application or income test.
- SNAP: SSI counts as income, but $994 alone is well under SNAP's $1,696 single-person gross limit, so most SSI recipients also qualify for food benefits.
- Social Security: if your retirement or SSDI check is under $1,014, SSI tops you up to the $994 floor (couples: $1,511 threshold to the $1,491 floor).
- State supplements: many states (California, New York, and others) add monthly amounts above the federal rate.
Where to apply
Apply with the Social Security Administration — online at ssa.gov/apply/ssi, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or at a local Social Security office. Benefits start from your application date, so apply as soon as you think you qualify.
Frequently asked questions
How much is SSI in 2026?
The 2026 federal SSI payment standard is $994 per month for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple — a 2.8% increase over 2025's $967 and $1,450. Many states add a supplement on top.
When did the 2026 SSI increase start?
The increased SSI payment arrived December 31, 2025, because January 1 is a federal holiday — SSI always pays on the 1st or the prior business day. Social Security checks reflected the 2.8% COLA starting January 2026.
How much can I earn and still get SSI in 2026?
SSI ignores the first $20 of any income plus $65 of wages, then counts half the rest. Working alone, wages of roughly $2,053 per month reduce an individual's SSI to $0 — below that, you can get a partial payment.
What are the SSI resource limits in 2026?
Countable resources must stay at or below $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple — unchanged since 1989. Your home, one vehicle, and household goods don't count.
Can I get SSI and Social Security at the same time?
Yes. If your Social Security benefit is under $1,014 per month ($994 + the $20 exclusion), SSI can top you up to the 2026 floor. About 2.4 million people receive both.
Does SSI come with Medicaid?
In most states, an SSI award qualifies you for Medicaid automatically or with a simple form. A handful of states (known as 209(b) states) apply their own slightly stricter test.
What is the SSI student earned income exclusion for 2026?
Students under 22 can exclude up to $2,410 of earnings per month, capped at $9,730 for 2026, before SSI counts any of it.