Social Security Administration issues new rule preventing food assistance from affecting payouts 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Wednesday that it is introducing new rules aimed at removing barriers and increasing monthly payments for people receiving certain government benefits.

Starting at the end of September next year, authorities will no longer include food assistance when calculating eligibility for monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

Those eligible for SSI benefits include adults and children with disabilities or visual impairments, and adults age 65 and older with limited income and assets. These benefits help cover the cost of basic resources such as housing, food, medicine, and clothing.

Approximately 7.4 million Americans currently receive SSI or Social Security payments. According to SSA February data.

To receive SSI benefits, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements calculated under the rules titled “In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM).” Under current rules, food, shelter, or both count as passive income, which can affect a person’s eligibility or reduce the amount they pay.

From September 30th of this year, government agencies will no longer include food in their ISM calculations. This means that an applicant’s history of informal food assistance from friends, family and other support networks will no longer prevent them from receiving benefits.

“A key part of our mission is to help people access important benefits, including SSI,” said Social Security Secretary Martin O’Malley. “Simplifying our policies is a common-sense solution that reduces the burden on the public and agency staff and promotes equity by removing barriers to accessing payments.”

SSA said the changes will make the process easier as applicants will have less information to report for food assistance and similar payments will increase each month. It also increases agency efficiency by reducing the time spent tracking beneficiaries’ food assistance.

of Maximum amount of SSI payment Current rates for 2024 are $943 for individuals, $1,415 for couples, and $472 for essentials. Those eligible for SSI typically include those whose monthly job income does not exceed her $1,971 and have resources of no more than $2,000 per person or $3,000 per couple. These resources include things like your vehicle and money in your bank account. By SSA.