# How much SSI can I get?

Estimates the monthly federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment for 2026 from your earned and unearned income, for one person or a couple.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/ssi-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/ssi-calculator.json
- Version: f389e1a6d457

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Who gets SSI One person, Unearned income a month $300.00, Earned income a month $0.00): With $300.00 of unearned and $0.00 of earned income a month, your federal SSI is about $714.00 a month.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| household | Who gets SSI | One eligible person, or an eligible person living with an eligible spouse (a couple). |
| unearned | Unearned income a month | Income that is not from work, per month: Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment, cash from others. For a couple, both together. |
| earned | Earned income a month | Gross wages and net self-employment earnings per month. For a couple, both together. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| benefit | Monthly federal SSI | The federal benefit rate minus countable income, not below 0. |
| perPerson | Each spouse gets | For a couple, the payment is split equally between the two spouses. |
| yearly | A year | The monthly payment times 12. |
| countableIncome | Countable income | Income after the $20 general exclusion and the $65-plus-half earned income exclusion. |
| federalRate | Federal benefit rate | The 2026 maximum monthly federal SSI payment for one person or a couple. |
| earnedLimit | Earnings that end the payment | With your unearned income, the monthly earnings at which countable income reaches the federal rate and the payment stops. |

## Method

Countable income = (unearned − $20) + (earned − any unused part of the $20 − $65) ÷ 2, each part not below 0; SSI = federal benefit rate − countable income, not below 0.

## Assumptions

- Federal benefit rate for 2026: $994 for one person, $1,491 for a couple (SSA).
- Only the $20 general exclusion and the $65-plus-half earned income exclusion are applied; other exclusions (student earnings, work expenses, a PASS) are left out.
- You live in your own home or pay your share of the shelter costs; free shelter from others (in-kind support) lowers SSI and is not included.
- Resources (savings and other assets) are within the limit of $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple.
- State supplements are not included; many states add a payment.
- Income of a spouse or parent who does not get SSI (deeming) is not included.
- An estimate only; SSA decides the amount.

## Worked examples

1. household = individual, unearned = $300.00, earned = $0.00 gives countableIncome = $280.00, benefit = $714.00, yearly = $8,568.00. Source: SSA, Understanding SSI: SSI Income, 2026 Edition, Example A: $300 − $20 = $280 countable.
2. household = individual, unearned = $0.00, earned = $317.00 gives countableIncome = $116.00, benefit = $878.00. Source: SSA, Understanding SSI: SSI Income, 2026 Edition, Example B: ($317 − $20 − $65) ÷ 2 = $116 countable.
3. household = couple, unearned = $1,000.00, earned = $500.00 gives countableIncome = $1,197.50, benefit = $293.50, perPerson = $146.75, earnedLimit = $1,087.00.
4. household = individual, unearned = $0.00, earned = $0.00 gives benefit = $994.00, earnedLimit = $2,073.00. Source: SSA, SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2026 ($994).

## FAQ

### What is the maximum SSI payment in 2026?

The federal benefit rate for 2026 is $994 a month for one eligible person and $1,491 a month for an eligible couple. It rose 2.8% in January 2026 with the cost-of-living adjustment. Some states add a supplement on top.

### How does income reduce SSI?

SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate. The first $20 of most income does not count. Of earnings, the first $65 and half of the rest do not count either. So $300 of Social Security leaves $714 of SSI, and $317 of wages leaves $878.

### How much can I earn and still get SSI?

With no other income, one person can earn up to $2,072.99 a month in 2026 and still get some SSI: 2 × $994 + $20 + $65 = $2,073 is where the payment reaches 0. Unearned income such as a pension lowers that limit.

### Does Social Security count as income for SSI?

Yes. Social Security benefits are unearned income. After the $20 general exclusion, each dollar of Social Security lowers SSI by a dollar.

### What is the SSI resource limit?

Countable resources must be $2,000 or less for one person and $3,000 or less for a couple. Your home, one car, and some other items do not count. This calculator assumes your resources are under the limit.

## Sources

- Social Security Administration, SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2026: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- Social Security Administration, Understanding SSI: SSI Income, 2026 Edition (exclusions and Examples A and B): https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm
- Social Security Administration, Understanding SSI: SSI Resources (resource limits): https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm
- Code of Federal Regulations, 20 CFR 416.1112 (earned income exclusions) and 416.1124 (unearned income exclusions): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-III/part-416/subpart-K