HECM Resources
SSI Eligibility Requirements

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that makes monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources if they are 65 or older or if they are blind or have another disability. Being eligible for SSI means you receive a monthly cash benefit and, depending on the state where you live, Medicaid and food stamps. This chart describes the basic eligibility requirements for SSI. 

Requirement Definition Exceptions/Exclusions
65 or older,
blind, or disabled 		Blind: corrected vision of 20/200 or less in better eye, OR field of vision less than 20 degrees
Disabled: physical or mental impairment that keeps a person from performing any "substantial" work and is expected to last 12 months or result in death 		Person whose visual impairment is not severe enough to be considered blind may qualify under specialized non-blind disability rules.
Limited income* Countable income must be:

  • below $603 a month for a single adult
  • below $904 a month for a couple

    (Countable income can be greater in states with supplementals; see SSI Payments.)
    		• Not all income counts. Some exclusions are:

  • $20 per month of most income
  • $65 per month of wages and one-half of wages over $65
  • food stamps
  • home energy assistance
  • housing assistance
    • Limited resources*
    (Property and other assets a person owns)
  • $2,000 for single adult
  • $3,000 for couple (limit applies even if only one member is eligible)
    		• Not all resources count. Some exclusions:

  • the home a person lives in
  • a car, depending on use or value
  • burial plots for self & immediate family
  • burial funds up to $1,500
  • life insurance; face value of $1,500 or less
    • Citizenship/
    residence
  • resides in one of the 50 states or DC and is U.S. citizen or national, or certain American Indians, or permanent resident with 40 work credits
    		• certain noncitizens with a military service connection; or certain refugee or asylee-type noncitizens during the first seven years; or certain noncitizens in the U.S. or receiving SSI on August 22, 1996

    * If only one member of a couple is eligible, the income and resources of both are considered in determining eligibility.