The Federal Government funds SSI payments. Even if the Social Security Administration (SSA) administers paydays and applications, they are not paid from payroll taxes like retirement, survivors, or SSDI payments in the United States. Every year, the Agency is also in charge of adjusting the maximum amounts with the help of COLAs.
Supplemental Security Income payments, just like retirement or Disability Insurance, get extra money each year from the Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Inflation makes prices soar and if this Federal benefit is not updated annually, millions of recipients would lose buying power. In 2025, a person on this benefit for needy Americans receives about $714 on average.
Who will receive $11,604.53 per year from SSI?
Currently, those eligible recipients of Supplemental Security Income who receive the full amount will get $11,604.53 from January 2025 through December of the same year.
Bear in mind that thanks to the 2025 COLA increase, SSI recipients get 2.5% more than in 2024. Last year, the maximum amount an individual could receive was $943 per year.
However, the total amount per year was $11,321.49 in 2024. In one year, recipients will get 283 dollars extra, which is about 23 dollars extra per month. Low-income recipients will benefit from this boost even if it is too low.
Can SSI recipients get more than $11,604.53?
Although this is the maximum Supplemental Security Income amount for an individual, there is also a maximum amount for eligible married couples. Take into account that both recipients must qualify. A married couple can receive up to $1,450 per month if no reductions are applied to the maximum amount.
As of 2025, an eligible married couple can get up to 17,404.87 dollars from the SSI program, up from $16,980.36. Per year, this COLA increase means receiving $424 extra. No doubt this is a very beneficial boost that can help millions of Americans make ends meet.
Another group of eligible recipients is the one for essential persons. While an individual can receive up to $943, a married couple up to $1,450, an essential person can only collect a payment of up to $484.
Since an essential person receives 12 payments per year, the total amount for this group of recipients will be 5,815.57. As of 2024, the maximum amount was $472, so about 12 dollars less. The total amount per year an SSI recipient could get is 5,815.57 dollars.
Supplemental Security Income Eligibility in 2025
If you are wondering whether you can apply for SSI or not, to be eligible you must:
- have limited income
- have limited resources
- be a United States citizen or U.S. national
- meet one of these 3 conditions:
- have qualifying disability (some medical conditions may qualify you for expedited benefits)
- be blind
- be a senior aged 65 or older
The good news is that you can apply for SSI benefits online. Some Social Security recipients on retirement or SSDI payments can be eligible for both payments simultaneously.
