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New Social Security Rules Enhance SSI Access and Benefits

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Reviewed By: Iris Miranda

May 27, 2025
  • Category: Benefits

New Social Security rules removing food assistance barriers for SSI beneficiaries and reducing other customer burdens have taken effect this month. These Supplemental Security Income expansions announced earlier in 2024 will allow greater access to food support and rental subsidies, as well as increase access to people receiving SNAP benefits.

Lifting Food Assistance Barriers For SSI Beneficiaries

If you have ever received informal food assistance, such as meals or groceries from your family and friends, you no longer have to worry. This informal food assistance will no longer count as “unearned income” according to new SSI rules taking effect. The Social Security Administration estimates that this new rule could increase current monthly SSI payments by about $131 per month,1 as well as allow more people to qualify for benefits. Under the old rules, informal food assistance used to be included in In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations, which determined the value of informal support in the form of food and/or shelter offered to the potential SSI beneficiary.

How Do Food Stamps Affect SSI Eligibility Now?

Food stamps are now listed as an eligible program under the Social Security’s definition of a “public assistance household.”

The agency added Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to the types of public assistance a household can receive to be considered a public assistance household. How does that affect your eligibility for SSI monthly benefits?

If you are considered a member of a public assistance household, it is presumed that you are not receiving In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations from anyone in that household. That means food and shelter provided by these household members is not counted against you.

Rental assistance will not count toward In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations for SSI applicants across the United States. Under the old rule, only seven states had a rental subsidy policy that somewhat worked in SSI applicants’ favor.3 Those states were Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. In those seven states, SSI eligibility was less likely to be affected by forms of rental assistance, such as paying discounted rent. The Social Security Administration estimates that expanding this policy nationwide could increase monthly SSI payments by up to $132 per person.

What’s A Public Assistance Household?

A public assistance household is one that has an SSI applicant or recipient, and a household member that receives some kind of means-tested public income-maintenance payments.2 Accepted PIM programs include:
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Payments made under; The Refugee Act of 1980 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
  • General assistance programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • State or local government need-based assistance programs
  • Need-based U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs programs
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs
The definition of a public assistance household was also updated. The former definition used to require all household members to receive some kind of public assistance.

How Does SSI Eligibility Work With Rental Assistance?

Rental assistance will not count toward In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations for SSI applicants across the United States. Under the old rule, only seven states had a rental subsidy policy that somewhat worked in SSI applicants’ favor.3 Those states were Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. In those seven states, SSI eligibility was less likely to be affected by forms of rental assistance, such as paying discounted rent. The Social Security Administration estimates that expanding this policy nationwide could increase monthly SSI payments by up to $132 per person.

Contact an SSI Disability Advocate Today

If you have questions on how these changes affect your SSI or SSDI eligibility, contact our Social Security disability advocates for a free consultation. We are available to take your call at 833-MY-DISABILITY (833-693-4722).

Citations

  1. (2024, September 30). Helpful SSI Changes Reducing Customer Burden Take Effect. Press Office; Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/#2024-09-30
  2. 20 CFR § 416.1142 – If you live in a public assistance household. (2014). LII / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/20/416.1142
  3. (2024, April 17). Social Security to Expand SSI Rental Subsidy Policy. Press Office; Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/#4-2024-1
  4. (2024, September 30). Helpful SSI Changes Reducing Customer Burden Take Effect. Press Office; Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/#2024-09-30
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