The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program can pay up to $17,404.87 per year. This is the maximum amount a married couple who qualifies can collect from the Federal Government. In order to qualify for such a large amount, you must get no reductions to this maximum amount. For example, if you have no other earnings and you are not on a pension or Social Security benefits, it will be easier to qualify.
Anyway, it is the Social Security Administration the Agency in charge of determining whether you can get the full amount or not. There are many different factors to take into account and many personal circumstances that can either lower your SSI payment or allow you to get the full amount. For example, some people may qualify because of their disability, their blindness, or because of their age. However, all of them must have limited income and limited resources.
How much can SSI pay married couples per month?
If you are an eligible married couple, you can get up to $1,450 per month. Due to the COLA increase the new maximum amount for Supplemental Security Income has increased by 2.5%.
This COLA is much smaller than the one for 2024 or 2023. Last year SSI recipients received a boost of 3.2% and a staggering 8.7% in 2023. No need to say that is was a disappointment for many recipients of this and other Social Security programs.
Anyway, a small Cost-of-Living Adjustment is better than a reduction, which is possible, or better than a lower COLA, which has taken place from time to time throughout the last 50 years.
In 2024, the maximum amount an eligible married couple could get was $1,415. Hence, all the married couples who get the maximum amount in 2025, receive $35 more than what they did in 2024.
Individuals can get up to $11,604 from SSI
If you are not married, you can get up to $967, which is far from $1,450. Two individuals who live separately get a total of $1,934, so the $1,450 payment for two is not exactly double the amount an individual receives.
Actually, in one year an individual on Supplemental Security Income can receive up to $11,604, up from $11,321. An essential person can only get up to $484 per year or up to $5,815 per year.
The good thing about SSI is that it is not taxable income. So, if you only receive this benefit and you do not work and have no resources, you do not have to file a tax return.
Do not miss out on the opportunity to check your eligibility for this Federal program. If you have limited earnings and resources, why not apply for this monthly payment? There is an online tool on the SSA website to check your eligibility and you can also apply for it on the Internet.