SSI has strict financial rules. Here are the exact 2026 income and asset limits and which of your resources actually count.
2026 income limits and how they work
SSI is need-based, so income directly affects your payment. In 2026 the federal benefit rate, also the rough income ceiling, is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple, up 2.8% from 2025. Social Security doesn't count every dollar: the first $20 of most income and the first $65 of earned income (plus half the rest) are excluded. After exclusions, countable income reduces your SSI check dollar for dollar. Earned wages are treated more generously than unearned income like pensions. Because the math is detailed, it's worth a free check with 1-800-MEDIGAP at 1-800-633-4427.
2026 asset (resource) limits
The 2026 resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, set by federal law and unchanged for decades despite inflation. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you don't live in. Key exclusions: your primary home, usually one vehicle, household goods, personal effects, and certain burial funds. Going even slightly over the limit can make you ineligible until you "spend down" to the cap, so timing and planning matter. Misjudging what counts is a common reason seniors are wrongly turned away or lose benefits.