People who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or want to get it may be wondering, “Can I own a house on SSI without losing my benefits?” The short answer is yes, you can own a house while getting SSI. In fact, your main home is usually not taken into account when figuring out your SSI asset limit. But there are some important things you need to know to keep your eligibility.
Understanding SSI Asset Limits
Before diving into home ownership specifics let’s get clear on SSI asset limits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) enforces strict limits on how much you can own while receiving SSI
- Individual asset limit: $2,000
- Couple asset limit: $3,000
These limits apply to countable resources like cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and certain real estate. Exceeding these limits can make you ineligible for SSI benefits.
However, not everything you own counts toward these limits. The SSA excludes certain assets from this calculation, including:
- Household goods
- Personal effects (like engagement rings)
- One vehicle used for transportation
- And most importantly for our discussion: your primary residence
The Home Exclusion for SSI Recipients
When you apply for SSI, your home won’t usually count against your asset limit as long as you live there. This policy is called the “home exclusion. “.
What Qualifies for the Home Exclusion?
For your home to be excluded from SSI asset calculations it must be
- Your primary residence – The house you live in and consider your main place of living
- Owned by you – Through sole ownership, shared ownership, or equitable interest
Your home can be:
- A fixed structure
- A mobile home
- Even a houseboat!
The best part? The value of your house doesn’t matter for the home exclusion. Whether your home is worth $50,000 or $500,000, it won’t affect your SSI eligibility as long as it’s your primary residence.
What’s Included in the Home Exclusion?
The home exclusion covers:
- The house itself
- The land the house sits on
- Any buildings on the land (like a garage or barn)
Types of Home Ownership Allowed Under SSI
You can qualify for the home exclusion under different ownership arrangements:
Sole Ownership
When you’re the only person whose name appears on the deed.
Shared Ownership
When you legally own the property with someone else. This could be:
- Joint tenancy
- Tenancy in common
- Tenancy by the entirety
It doesn’t matter what kind of shared ownership you have; what matters is that you live there and are a legal owner.
Equitable Ownership
This is where it gets interesting! Even if your name isn’t on the deed, you might have “equitable ownership” if you:
- Help pay the mortgage
- Make improvements to the home
- Pay someone else to make improvements
If you have equitable ownership and the home is your primary residence, it can still be excluded from your SSI asset calculation.
Proving Your Home Ownership for SSI
The SSA will need evidence of your ownership. This varies depending on your ownership type:
For Sole or Shared Ownership:
- A deed
- Property tax assessment notice with your name
- Recent property tax bill with your name
- Current mortgage statement with your name
- Title search report
- For inherited property: a will or proof of income from the property
For Equitable Ownership:
- Statement from the legal owner confirming your equitable interest
- Bills showing you paid for home improvements or repairs
- Evidence of mortgage payments you’ve made
Cases of equitable ownership get reviewed by the SSA’s Regional Counsel, who determines if equitable ownership exists.
What If I Own Multiple Homes?
If you own more than one home, only your principal place of residence qualifies for the exclusion. The SSA will determine which is your primary residence based on:
- How much time you spend at each place
- Where you’re registered to vote
- Which address you use for mail or taxes
Any additional homes or properties are generally considered countable resources. The equity value (market value minus outstanding loans) of these additional properties counts toward your SSI asset limit.
What Happens If I Leave My Home?
If you leave your home and don’t intend to return, it may start counting as a resource. However, there are exceptions:
Exceptions That Allow the Home Exclusion to Continue:
- Institutionalization: If you’re in a nursing home or hospital, but your spouse or dependent relative continues living in the home
- Hardship for Co-owners: If selling would cause undue hardship because a co-owner would lose their place to live
- Domestic Violence: If you had to leave due to domestic violence and haven’t established a new principal residence
Even if you’re temporarily away from home due to hospitalization or home damage, your intent to return matters more than your actual ability to return. If you state that you intend to return home (regardless of your health condition or other circumstances), the SSA will generally continue the home exclusion.
Can I Buy or Inherit a House While on SSI?
Yes! You can inherit a house or buy one without losing your SSI eligibility, as long as:
- You make it your primary residence
- It qualifies for the home exclusion
- You’re careful not to exceed the asset limit when saving for a down payment
Rules for Selling a Home While on SSI
If you sell your excluded home, the proceeds become a countable resource unless you use them to buy another home within three months. If you don’t purchase a new home within this timeframe, the money will count toward your asset limit and could make you ineligible for SSI.
Similarly, if you sell your home through an installment sales contract or promissory note, these can become countable resources if you don’t buy a replacement home within the three-month period.
Property for Self-Support
The SSA also excludes certain property used for self-support:
- Property owned and used in a trade or business (like a farm or small store)
- Personal property used for work (tools, uniforms, equipment)
- Government permits that allow income production (like commercial fishing permits)
These exclusions can help if you’re using your property to generate income or support yourself.
Reporting Requirements
Remember that you must report changes in your living arrangements or asset ownership to the SSA. This includes:
- Buying or selling a home
- Inheriting property
- Moving from your home
- Changes in ownership status
These changes should be reported within 10 days after the end of the month in which they occurred. Failure to report could result in benefit reductions, overpayments that must be repaid, or even penalties.
My Personal Take on Owning a Home on SSI
I’ve helped many clients navigate these complex rules, and I’ve seen firsthand how valuable the home exclusion can be. Owning your home while on SSI provides stability and a sense of security that’s hard to find with renting.
One client inherited her childhood home while receiving SSI. She was terrified she’d lose her benefits, but we were able to show that as her primary residence, the home was completely excluded from her asset calculation. The home needed some repairs, but we made sure she kept documentation showing her equitable interest through the improvements she made.
The bottom line is that you absolutely can own a home while receiving SSI benefits. Your primary residence is excluded from the SSI asset calculation regardless of its value, which provides a significant opportunity for financial stability despite the otherwise strict asset limits.
The key points to remember are:
- Your home must be your primary residence
- You must have ownership interest (legal or equitable)
- Only one home qualifies for the exclusion
- You must report changes in your living situation
If you have questions about your specific situation, it’s best to contact the Social Security Administration directly. They can be reached Monday through Friday at 800-772-1213, or you can visit your local Social Security field office (call ahead to see if you need an appointment).
With proper understanding of these rules, home ownership can be a reality even while receiving SSI benefits!
Can I Buy A House On Disability Benefits Or SSI? – CountyOffice.org
FAQ
Will I lose my SSI if I buy a house?
No, buying a home does not negatively affect your SSI benefits if it is your primary residence, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) excludes the home you live in from the asset limit.
How much property can you own on SSI?
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an individual can own resources worth $2,000 or less, and a couple can own $3,000 or less. However, certain essential property is excluded from this limit, including your home, one vehicle, household goods, and life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less.
Can a person with a disability own a home?
If you have a disability and get public benefits like SSI, you can own one house that you live in. This is called a “primary residence,” and if you don’t, your SSI will stop.
Can you own a house and car on SSI?
If a claimant’s assets exceed the allowable maximum, he or she will not be able to receive SSI. It is important to note; however, there is an exception. Claimants who receive SSI are allowed to have one house and one car and still receive SSI. One house and one car will not be counted as assets.
Can I own a home if I receive SSI?
If you receive SSI, you CAN own a home as long as it is your primary residence. Your home does NOT count toward the $2,000 resource limit (it’s an exempt asset). But if you own a second home, a rental property, or land that you don’t live on, you might not be able to get SSI.
Does owning a house affect SSI?
Owning a house does NOT affect SSDI benefits at all. ✔ For SSI recipients, your home is an “exempt resource” (it doesn’t count toward the $2,000 asset limit). However, there are important rules you need to follow to make sure your benefits remain intact. ✅ How homeownership affects SSI vs. SSDI ✅ Can you buy a house while on disability?.
Can I buy a home on SSI without losing benefits?
Don’t forget to tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) about any inheritance you receive. If you don’t, you could face fines or lose your benefits. Buying a home on SSI is possible without losing your benefits if you follow the program’s rules and understand the exemptions available.
Can I buy a house if I receive SSDI?
SSDI has no asset limits, so you can own a house, land, or other property without affecting your benefits. You do NOT need to report homeownership to SSA if you only receive SSDI. You can buy, sell, or inherit a home freely without losing SSDI.
Can SSI recipients inherit homes without becoming ineligible?
Fortunately, there are two main ways SSI recipients can inherit homes without becoming ineligible. They can either live in the home as their primary residence. Or they can have it placed in a special needs trust. SSI doesn’t count the home someone lives in as a resource for purposes of figuring eligibility. This is called the home exclusion.
Can you get Social Security if you inherit a home?
Inheriting a home is not a problem for someone receiving Social Security retirement benefits. Someone who pays Social Security taxes while working is entitled to receive benefits after retiring no matter how many financial assets they own. SSI is different. It’s a needs-based program.