Even though the Social Security Administration runs the Supplemental Security Income program, it is not paid for by Social Security taxes like the Social Security Disability Insurance program is. Instead, SSI benefits are funded by general tax revenues collected by the federal government.
Adults and children who qualify for SSI get money every month to cover basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. The amount that people get each month through SSI is not the same for everyone. For example, if someone lets you live in their home without charge, the value of the monthly rent that you are not paying may be counted as income to reduce your monthly SSI benefit.
The state where you live is another factor that could change your monthly benefit. Some states add money from the state to your federal SSI checks to make the total amount you get each month bigger.
In order to give you a better understanding of how much will SSI checks be in 2022, here is a look at the SSI program and its benefits. Keep in mind that your best source for accurate and current information about all Social Security disability programs is a disability lawyer or advocate at London Disability.
Are you wondering how much your SSI checks will be in 2022? Good news! They will go up a bit because of inflation. I’ve done the research and want to tell you everything you need to know about your payments for the year.
The Big Picture: SSI Payment Amounts for 2022
Let me cut to the chase – in 2022, SSI payments are getting a significant boost thanks to the 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This is actually one of the largest COLA increases we’ve seen in recent years.
Here’s what this means for your monthly checks:
- Individual recipients: Maximum of $841 per month (up from $794 in 2021)
- Eligible couples: Maximum of $1,261 per month (up from $1,191 in 2021)
- Average SSI payment: Approximately $621 per month (a $34 increase from $587)
On a yearly basis, this works out to:
- Individuals: About $10,092 annually
- Couples: About $15,136 annually
- Average recipient: About $7,452 annually
Why the Increase? Understanding COLA
Perhaps you’re wondering why your SSI payments went up. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the reason. It happens almost every year to make sure that benefits keep up with the cost of living.
For 2022, the COLA was set at 5. 9%, which is substantially higher than previous years. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is used by the government to figure this number out. They mostly check how much prices of common goods and services have changed over time.
Inflation was high in 2021, which is why the COLA for 2022 was higher. It is important to note that the COLA for 2023 was even higher, at 8%. 7%, showing how inflation continued to be a problem.
When Did the New SSI Payments Start?
Interestingly, if you’re an SSI recipient, you actually received your first increased payment on December 30, 2021! This wasn’t an error – it happened because of the holiday schedule. Since January 1, 2022 fell on a weekend holiday, the payment was issued slightly early.
Will the Increase Really Help?
I’ve gotta be honest – while a 5.9% increase sounds good, it might not feel like much for many recipients. With the high inflation we’ve been experiencing, the extra $34 per month on average might not go as far as you’d hope.
The reality is that many SSI recipients still struggle to make ends meet even with the increase. The maximum individual payment of $841 monthly works out to just over $10000 annually, which is well below the federal poverty level for a single person.
Who Qualifies for SSI in 2022?
SSI isn’t the same as regular Social Security. It’s specifically designed to help people who:
- Are age 65 or older
- Are blind or disabled
- Have very limited income and resources
To qualify for SSI in 2022, you can’t have more than:
- $2,000 in assets for individuals
- $3,000 in assets for couples
Your income also affects how much SSI you receive. The more income you have, the lower your SSI benefit will be. It’s important to know that over 7.8 million Americans were receiving SSI benefits according to a July 2021 report from the Social Security Administration.
SSI vs. Social Security: Know the Difference
I often hear people confuse SSI with regular Social Security, but they’re different programs:
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based and designed for people with limited income and resources who are elderly, blind, or disabled.
- Social Security retirement benefits are based on your work history and the taxes you’ve paid into the system.
Some people might qualify for both programs, but typically, if you receive Social Security benefits, your SSI payment will be reduced.
Historical Context: SSI Payment Growth
Looking at how SSI payments have changed over time gives us some perspective. Here’s a quick look at maximum individual payments over the years:
- 2018: $750 per month (2.0% COLA)
- 2019: $771 per month (2.8% COLA)
- 2020: $783 per month (1.6% COLA)
- 2021: $794 per month (1.3% COLA)
- 2022: $841 per month (5.9% COLA)
- 2023: $914 per month (8.7% COLA)
- 2024: $943 per month (3.2% COLA)
- 2025: $967 per month (2.5% COLA)
As you can see, the 5.9% increase for 2022 was significant compared to previous years, but was followed by an even larger increase in 2023 due to continuing inflation.
How to Apply for SSI
If you think you might qualify for SSI and haven’t applied yet, here’s how you can do it:
- Visit the SSA website and begin the application process online
- Call the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment with a Social Security representative
- Prepare documentation about your income, resources, and medical condition (if applying based on disability)
Remember that children may also qualify for SSI, and their benefits are often larger because many don’t have earnings.
Practical Tips for SSI Recipients in 2022
If you’re receiving SSI, here are a few things to keep in mind for 2022:
- Report any changes: You must report changes in your income, resources, living arrangements, or marital status as they could affect your benefit amount.
- Know about work incentives: There are special rules that allow some SSI recipients to work without immediately losing their benefits.
- Understand resource limits: Remember that you can’t have more than $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for couples) to remain eligible.
- Budget carefully: With inflation running high, careful budgeting is more important than ever.
The Impact of Working While Receiving SSI
If you’re thinking about working while receiving SSI, you should know that earned income will reduce your benefit amount. However, not all income counts, and SSA does have work incentives to encourage employment.
Generally, the SSA doesn’t count the first $65 of earnings plus one-half of earnings over $65 in a month. This means your SSI payment will go down by $1 for every $2 you earn above $65.
Looking Beyond 2022: Future COLA Increases
As mentioned earlier, SSI recipients received an even larger COLA increase of 8.7% for 2023, bringing the maximum individual payment to $914 monthly. For 2024, the increase was 3.2%, resulting in a maximum payment of $943, and for 2025, it’s projected to be 2.5%, bringing the maximum to $967.
These ongoing adjustments help recipients maintain purchasing power in the face of rising prices, though they often still fall short of fully compensating for the increased cost of living.
Bottom Line: What to Expect from SSI in 2022
To sum it all up, if you’re receiving SSI in 2022, you’ll see more money in your monthly checks thanks to the 5.9% COLA increase. However, with inflation running high, this increase might not feel like much of a boost in real-world purchasing power.
The maximum monthly payment for individuals is $841 ($10,092 annually), while couples can receive up to $1,261 monthly ($15,136 annually). The average recipient will get about $621 per month, which is $34 more than the previous year.
Remember that SSI is meant to provide basic financial support for people with very limited resources. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you might want to look into other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or housing assistance that can supplement your SSI benefits.
Have you noticed how your increased SSI payment is holding up against rising prices? We’d love to hear your experience in the comments below!
How much will SSI checks be in 2022?
For 2022, the most a person can get from SSI each month is $841, and the most a couple can get is $1,261. The amount that you receive changes annually based on cost-of-living adjustments. For example, the maximum monthly SSI benefit for 2023 will be $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples because of an 8. 7% cost of living increase effective in January 2023.
If you receive income from sources other than SSI, it may count toward decreasing the monthly benefit payment that you receive. Countable income may include:
- Wages from job or earnings from self-employment
- Social Security benefits
- Interest and dividends
- Unemployment benefits
- State disability payments
- Money given to you by friends or relatives
- The market value of the food and shelter you were given for free
However, not all of the income that you receive is counted. For instance, the first $65 of earned income and one-half of the balance in excess of the first $65 do not count for purposes of determining your monthly SSI benefit. There are other exclusions that an SSI lawyer or disability advocate at London Disability can review with you during a free consultation.
State payments that may increase your 2022 SSI checks
Some states supplement the federal SSI benefit with payments of their own provided you live in one of those states. The following states offer a monthly supplement, but the Social Security Administration runs their programs or there is a split system where two agencies run the programs:
- California
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- District of Columbia
The following states and territories do not supplement the federal SSI benefit payments:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Northern Mariana Islands
All other states not previously mentioned pay a state supplement through programs administered by state agencies. If you need additional information about state payments that you may be entitled to receive in addition to the federal SSI payment, speak with an SSD lawyer.
How Much Will SSI Checks Be in 2022?
FAQ
How much are our SSI checks going to be in 2025?
In 2025, the maximum monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit will be $967 for an individual and $1,450 for an eligible couple, reflecting a 2. 5% cost-of-living adjustment from the previous year.
How much will SSI increase in 2026?
The official Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be announced by mid-October 2025, but projections estimate a modest increase, possibly around 2. 7%, which could add approximately $54 per month to the average retired worker’s benefit.
How much did Social Security increase from 2022 to 2024?
Year | COLA |
---|---|
2021 | 5.9 |
2022 | 8.7 |
2023 | 3.2 |
2024 | 2.5 |
Why did I get two Social Security checks this month?
October 2025 is a double-payment month for people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That’s why you got two checks this month.
What is the maximum SSI payment in 2022?
The rate of inflation caused the Social Security Administration to add 5. 9% as a cost-of-living adjustment to SSI benefit payments in 2022. The maximum monthly payment from SSI is $841 for one person and $1,261 if you have a spouse who also qualifies for SSI benefits. These are, however, the maximum federal payments.
Will SSI payments increase in 2022?
If you are among the more than 5. There will be an increase in the amount of your Supplemental Security Income checks in 2022 for the 1 million people who depend on them. The rate of inflation caused the Social Security Administration to add 5. 9% as a cost-of-living adjustment to SSI benefit payments in 2022.
How much does SSI cost in 2022?
Federal law, on the other hand, says that the SSI benefit for individuals in 2022 will be $841, and the benefit for married couples, where both spouses are eligible, will be $1,261. What you actually get through SSI may, however, be subject to deductions for other income that you receive.
How much SSI do you get per month?
This equals $7,452 each year. According to the Social Security Administration, the monthly maximum for SSI is $841 per month for an individual in 2022 or about $10,092 on an unrounded annual basis. For couples, the maximum benefit will be $1,261 a month, or $15,136.93 on an unrounded annual basis.
Why are SSI payments increasing in 2021?
This is because of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which has climbed to 5.9 percent. The new payments reflecting COLA for SSI recipients started on December 30, 2021 because of the holiday schedule. A cost-of-living adjustment is an increase in income that keeps pace with inflation.
When was SSI increased?
1987 (Public Law 100-203, enacted December 22). Increases the maximum emergency advance payment amount to the maximum amount of the regular federal SSI monthly benefit rate plus, if any, the federally administered state supplementary payment. 1996 (Public Law 104-193, enacted August 22).