Direct answer: In 2027 the most SSI pays is $1,029 a month for one person and $1,544 for a couple, up from $994 and $1,491 in 2026, after a 3.6% raise. SSDI depends on your work record instead; in 2027 earning over $1,770 a month ($2,950 if blind) generally counts as substantial work.
By the numbers: The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2027 are $1,029 for an eligible individual, $1,544 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $516 for an essential person. Source: SSA, SSI Federal Payment Amounts For 2027 (read Oct. 23, 2026)
“The monthly amount is reduced by subtracting monthly countable income.” — SSA, SSI Federal Payment Amounts For 2027
Updated 2026-10-23
The federal maximum is $1,029 a month for one person and $1,544 for an eligible couple, up 3.6% from $994 and $1,491 in 2026. SSA pays January's SSI at the end of December because January 1 is a holiday. Many states add a supplement.
$2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in, one vehicle used for transportation, household goods, burial funds up to $1,500 each and up to $100,000 in an ABLE account don't count, among other exclusions.
SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate. It ignores the first $20 of most income, then $65 of earnings and half of the earnings left. SSA's example: $300 of Social Security leaves $280 countable, so 2026 SSI is $994 - $280 = $714.
SSDI is paid from the Social Security trust fund to people insured through FICA contributions who meet SSA's disability rules; the amount is based on lifetime earnings and other income or resources don't change it. SSI is paid from general tax revenues to people 65 or older, blind or disabled with limited income and resources.
SSA generally treats earnings over $1,770 a month ($2,950 if you're blind) as substantial gainful activity in 2027, up from $1,690 and $2,830 in 2026. A month over $1,270 ($1,210 in 2026) counts as one of the 9 trial work months.
60 days after you receive the notice to ask for reconsideration, the first of four appeal levels (20 CFR 416.1409 and 404.909). The later levels are a hearing with a judge, the Appeals Council and federal court.
As of Oct. 23, 2026
Social Security runs two disability programs that are easy to mix up. SSDI pays people who are insured through Social Security taxes on their work and meet SSA's disability rules; the amount depends on lifetime earnings. SSI pays people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income and resources. This page shows the 2026 and new 2027 amounts from SSA's own pages, how income lowers SSI, and a quick estimate.
Sources: SSA: SSI 2027 · SSA: 2027 COLA · SSA: SSI resources · SSA: SGA · SSA: trial work period · 20 CFR 416.1409.
Uses SSA's federal benefit rate and the basic income exclusions. It runs in your browser; nothing is sent or saved. Type whole dollars a month, before taxes.
Leaves out: state supplements, rent or shelter paid by someone else (can cut up to $351.33 a month in 2026), income deemed from a spouse or parent, the student earnings exclusion, work-expense exclusions and the $2,000 / $3,000 resource test. SSA also generally uses your income from the second month before. Sources: SSA: SSI 2027 · SSA: SSI income · 20 CFR 416 subpart K · 20 CFR 416.420 · POMS SI 00810.420 · POMS SI 00820.500.
| Amount (monthly unless noted) | 2026 | 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI federal maximum, one person | $994 | $1,029 | SSA: SSI 2027 |
| SSI federal maximum, eligible couple | $1,491 | $1,544 | SSA: SSI 2027 |
| SSI essential person | - | $516 | SSA: SSI 2027 |
| SSI resource limit (one / couple) | $2,000 / $3,000 | $2,000 / $3,000 | SSA: SSI resources |
| SGA, not blind (SSDI and SSI disability) | $1,690 | $1,770 | SSA: SGA |
| SGA, statutorily blind (SSDI only) | $2,830 | $2,950 | SSA: SGA |
| Trial work period month (SSDI only) | $1,210 | $1,270 | SSA: trial work period |
| Earnings for one work credit (per quarter) | $1,890 | $1,970 | SSA: work credits |
| Cost-of-living adjustment | 2.8% | 3.6% | SSA: SSI amounts |
A couple's SSI is divided equally between the two spouses. Many states add their own supplement. The 2027 SSI rates apply to payments for January 2027 on; Social Security's 3.6% raise starts with December 2026 benefits, paid in January 2027 (2027 COLA details). Sources: SSA: SSI 2027 · SSA: SSI amounts · SSA: 2027 COLA · SSA Red Book.
SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate. To get countable income it ignores:
For a married couple who both get SSI, SSA combines their income and allows one $20 and one $65 exclusion for the couple.
| Case | Countable income | 2026 SSI | 2027 SSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300 Social Security only (SSA example A) | $280.00 | $714.00 | $749.00 |
| $317 wages only (SSA example B) | $116.00 | $878.00 | $913.00 |
| $800 Social Security + $400 wages | $947.50 | $46.50 | $81.50 |
| Couple: $600 Social Security combined | $580.00 | $911.00 | $964.00 |
Hand check, example B: $317 - $20 - $65 = $232; half is $116 countable; $994 - $116 = $878 (2026). With only unearned income the federal estimate reaches $0 at $1,049 a month in 2027 ($1,014 in 2026); with only wages, at $2,143 ($2,073 in 2026). Sources: SSA: SSI income · 20 CFR 416 subpart K · POMS SI 00810.420 · POMS SI 00820.500 · SSA: SSI 2027.
| Rule | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | People insured through FICA contributions on their own earnings (or a spouse's or parent's) who meet SSA's disability rules | People 65+, blind or disabled with limited income and resources who meet citizenship and residence rules |
| Paid from | The Social Security disability trust fund | General tax revenues |
| Amount | Based on lifetime average earnings; other income and resources don't change it (workers' comp and some public disability benefits can) | Federal rate ($1,029 in 2027) minus countable income, plus any state supplement |
| Resource limit | No limit; resources don't affect the SSDI amount | $2,000 one person / $3,000 couple |
| Work credits | Generally 40, with 20 in the last 10 years (fewer if you're younger) | Not one of SSI's requirements |
| When pay starts | Generally a 5-month waiting period; first payment for the 6th full month. Can pay up to 12 months before you applied | Can't pay for time before the effective date of your application |
| Health coverage | Medicare after 24 months of SSDI | Medicaid (states have options on eligibility) |
| State supplement | No state supplement with SSDI | Many states pay one; amounts vary |
Some people get both (SSA calls this "concurrent"). A Social Security benefit counts as unearned income for SSI, as in SSA's $300 example above. SSDI timeline and private disability insurance: disability insurance facts. Sources: SSA Red Book · SSA: SSDI eligibility · SSA: Medicare on SSDI · SSA: SSI eligibility · SSA: how to apply.
Counts: cash, bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, savings bonds, digital currency, land, life insurance, vehicles and anything else you could turn into cash for food or shelter. Part of a spouse's or parent's resources can be counted too (SSA calls this deeming).
Doesn't count:
Giving a resource away or selling it for less than it's worth can make you ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months.
Sources: SSA: SSI resources.
Sources: SSA: living arrangements · SSA: SSI income · SSA: SSI resources.
You have 60 days after you receive the notice to ask for reconsideration. The four levels are: reconsideration, a hearing with an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and federal court. You may appoint a representative, and there is no charge to apply. Sources: 20 CFR 416.1409 · SSA: appeals · SSA: how to apply.
Related: Benefits hub · Social Security hub · 2027 COLA · Disability insurance and SSDI timeline · Medicaid income limits · Lifeline phone discount.
Facts, not legal advice. We summarize SSA's pages and regulations, with dates. The estimate is arithmetic on numbers you type, not SSA's decision; SSA decides eligibility and the amount. We don't link to or get paid by any lawyer, advocate or claims service.
The federal maximum is $1,029 a month for one person and $1,544 for an eligible couple, up 3.6% from $994 and $1,491 in 2026. SSA pays January's SSI at the end of December because January 1 is a holiday. Many states add a supplement.
$2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in, one vehicle used for transportation, household goods, burial funds up to $1,500 each and up to $100,000 in an ABLE account don't count, among other exclusions.
SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate. It ignores the first $20 of most income, then $65 of earnings and half of the earnings left. SSA's example: $300 of Social Security leaves $280 countable, so 2026 SSI is $994 - $280 = $714.
SSDI is paid from the Social Security trust fund to people insured through FICA contributions who meet SSA's disability rules; the amount is based on lifetime earnings and other income or resources don't change it. SSI is paid from general tax revenues to people 65 or older, blind or disabled with limited income and resources.
SSA generally treats earnings over $1,770 a month ($2,950 if you're blind) as substantial gainful activity in 2027, up from $1,690 and $2,830 in 2026. A month over $1,270 ($1,210 in 2026) counts as one of the 9 trial work months.
60 days after you receive the notice to ask for reconsideration, the first of four appeal levels (20 CFR 416.1409 and 404.909). The later levels are a hearing with a judge, the Appeals Council and federal court.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.