There is a program from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Three new changes will take effect in October. These changes will affect beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which currently provides payments to more than 7 million low-income Americans who rely on SSI benefits to cover their living expenses. The SSI program is a vital financial lifeline for many people, including those over 65 and adults and children who are disabled or blind. Remember, according to SSA guidelines, a person’s monthly income cannot exceed $1,971 to be eligible for SSI benefits.

The three new changes to social security that will come into force in October

Currently, single recipients can receive an average of $943 per month, and those who filed as couples can receive up to $1,415. However, when the new rules take effect, the criteria for establishing SSI authorization could change, potentially expanding the number of people eligible and increasing payments for existing recipients. To broaden the range of SSI benefits and make them more accessible to those in need, the SSA has implemented three new rules that will take effect on September 30, 2024.

The social assistance budget is to be redefined

One of the most significant changes concerns the concept of a “welfare household.” To be eligible for SSI payments, every member of a household must currently be receiving welfare. However, the new requirement requires only one SSI recipient in the household, plus at least one other household member who receives some type of welfare that is subject to a means test. In addition, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now considered part of the budget’s social assistance package.

Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said in a recent statement: “We are removing significant barriers to accessing SSI by streamlining our laws and introducing an additional program targeted at low-income families, such as SNAP Benefits.” He also emphasized that these new changes will create greater equity across all Social Security programs. This change will likely improve payments for about 277,000 current SSI recipients while making another 109,000 people newly eligible for SSI benefits.

SSI Benefits will make changes to the way food assistance is calculated

Another significant change compared to the SSA is the treatment of Services in kind and maintenance (ISM) in the form of food when evaluating SSI eligibility. Previously, the Social Security Administration considered any type of food or housing assistance as unearned income, thereby reducing a person’s eligibility for SSI benefits. This rule was often criticized as being too cumbersome and harmful to those in need; however, recipients can now accept food assistance from friends and family members without fear of having their benefits cut off.

According to Darcy Milburn, Director of Social Security and Health Policy at The Arc, “This is a truly significant step to address one of the most complex, burdensome and inhumane policies affecting people with disabilities who Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits”, in a CNBC interview. A nonprofit organization called The Arc is dedicated to supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Rent subsidy policy is being expanded

The last important change concerns the Social Security Administration’s rental subsidy policy. Previously, states such as Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin SSI receiver who also received reduced rent or other types of rental assistance were not disadvantaged in terms of SSI eligibility or monthly payment amount. This policy is now being implemented nationwide to ensure that rental assistance does not negatively impact SSI benefits across the country.