SSI and SSDI Amounts 2027: Payments, SGA and Limits
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 29, 2026). · 23 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
The 2027 SSI and SSDI dollar figures are now published. Social Security's annual notice, "Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027" (Docket No. SSA-2026-1024), was filed for public inspection on October 23, 2026 and is scheduled for Federal Register publication on October 26, 2026 at 91 FR 67380. It sets a 3.6% COLA and, for 2027, a maximum federal SSI payment of $1,029 a month for an individual and $1,544 for an individual with an eligible spouse, a substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit of $1,770 a month ($2,950 if statutorily blind), and a trial work period threshold of $1,270 a month. The 2026 figures below stay in force until the new ones take effect with the January 2027 payment.
This article lists the federal SSI and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) figures that change each year, the 2026 amounts in effect now, and how each 2027 amount will be set. These are federal figures that apply in every state. Many states add a state SSI supplement, covered on each state's page in the Social Security disability by state guide. The 2026 figures come from SSA's Federal Register notice published November 3, 2025, and the 2027 figures from its notice for 2027. Current as of October 24, 2026.
SSI and SSDI figures: 2026 amounts and how 2027 is set
| Figure | 2026 amount | 2027 amount | What sets the 2027 amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI federal payment, individual | $994 a month | $1,029 a month | COLA, rounded down to a multiple of $12 a year |
| SSI federal payment, individual with an eligible spouse | $1,491 a month | $1,544 a month | COLA, same rounding |
| SSI essential person | $498 a month | $516 a month | COLA, same rounding |
| SSDI benefits | Based on each worker's record | Current benefits rise 3.6% | COLA |
| SGA, non-blind | $1,690 a month | $1,770 a month | Average wage index (20 CFR 404.1574) |
| SGA, statutorily blind | $2,830 a month | $2,950 a month | Average wage index, only in a year with a COLA (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)) |
| Trial work period month | $1,210 a month | $1,270 a month | Average wage index (20 CFR 404.1592) |
| SSI student earned income exclusion | $2,410 a month, up to $9,730 a year | $2,500 a month, up to $10,080 a year | COLA (20 CFR 416.1112) |
| Earnings for one quarter of coverage (work credit) | $1,890 | $1,970 | Average wage index |
| Maximum taxable earnings | $184,500 | $192,300 | Average wage index, only in a year with a COLA |
| SSI resource limit | $2,000 individual, $3,000 couple | Same, unless Congress changes the law | Fixed by statute since 1989 |
| SSI $20 general and $65 earned income exclusions | $20 and $65 | Same | Fixed in regulation |
| SSDI representative fee cap | $9,200 | Same unless SSA raises it | Set by SSA notice; stays until a new notice |
The 2027 COLA itself, and the formula behind it, are explained in the Social Security COLA 2027 guide.
SSI payment amounts
SSI pays a federal benefit rate (FBR), the most a person with no countable income can receive from the federal program. For 2026 it is $994 a month for an individual, $1,491 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $498 for an essential person. For 2027 SSA's notice sets those rates at $1,029, $1,544 and $516 a month.
How the 2027 SSI rate was computed. Under 20 CFR 416.405, SSA increases the unrounded yearly SSI amount by the COLA percentage and rounds the result down to the next lower multiple of $12, then divides by 12. SSA carries the unrounded amount forward from year to year. For 2026, the unrounded yearly amounts were $11,929.46 for an individual, $17,892.21 for an individual with an eligible spouse, and $5,978.41 for an essential person. SSA's 2027 notice raises those by 3.6% to $12,358.92, $18,536.33 and $6,193.63, rounds each down to a multiple of $12 to get $12,348, $18,528 and $6,192 a year, and divides by 12 to reach the monthly rates of $1,029, $1,544 and $516.
Your actual SSI payment is usually lower than the maximum. SSA subtracts countable income from the FBR (20 CFR 416.420). Two exclusions come off first: the first $20 of most income each month, and the first $65 of earned income plus half of the rest (20 CFR 416.1112 and 416.1124). Neither dollar figure rises with the COLA. SSI also counts VA compensation and Social Security benefits as unearned income (20 CFR 416.1121(a)), so an SSDI or VA increase can shrink an SSI payment.
If someone else provides your food and shelter. If you live in another person's household for a full calendar month, receive shelter from others living there, and they also pay for or provide all of your meals, SSA counts one-third of the FBR as extra income, which reduces the payment (20 CFR 416.1131). In 2026 that reduction is $331.33 a month for an individual, per SSA's POMS rate chart. Because it is a fraction of the FBR, it changes when the FBR changes: one-third of the 2027 individual rate of $1,029 is $343.00, which is the arithmetic the rule produces rather than a figure SSA has posted to its rate chart yet.
When the 2027 SSI rate arrives. The new $1,029 rate applies to the January 2027 payment. SSI is paid on the first of the month, or the prior business day when the first is a weekend or holiday (20 CFR 416.502), so the January 2027 payment is due on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
SSDI payment amounts
SSDI does not have a fixed monthly amount. Your benefit equals your primary insurance amount (PIA), computed from your lifetime earnings, and it is the same whether you live in Maine or Texas.
- Current beneficiaries. Every SSDI benefit rises by the COLA percentage, which SSA's 2027 notice sets at 3.6%, starting with the December 2026 benefit, paid in January 2027. Each increased PIA is rounded down to the next lower 10 cents (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(A)(ii)), and the monthly payment is rounded down to a whole dollar (20 CFR 404.304(f)).
- People whose disability starts in 2027. Their PIA is computed with the 2027 benefit formula. Its bend points, $1,286 and $7,749 in 2026, are wage-indexed and rise to $1,340 and $8,077 for 2027. People first eligible in 2027 do not receive the December 2026 COLA, because their benefit is computed with the 2027 formula instead.
- Family members. Benefits for a spouse or children on your record rise by the same COLA, subject to the family maximum.
To estimate your own benefit and back pay under the current rules, use the free SSDI and SSI calculator. It is being updated with the 2027 figures SSA has now published.
SGA: the monthly earnings limit for disability
Substantial gainful activity is the earnings level SSA uses to decide whether work shows you can support yourself. Earnings above it generally mean you are not considered disabled for SSDI purposes. For 2026 the SGA limit is $1,690 a month for people with a non-blindness disability and $2,830 a month for people who are statutorily blind. For 2027 those amounts are $1,770 and $2,950.
Why SGA does not rise with the COLA. The non-blind SGA amount is set by regulation, 20 CFR 404.1574(b)(2)(ii), as the larger of the prior year's amount or $700 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index two years earlier to the 1998 index, rounded to the nearest $10. For 2027 that means the 2025 average wage index, which SSA's notice sets at $72,800.33. Running the formula on it produces $1,765.69, rounded to $1,770. The blind amount is tied by statute to the retirement earnings test formula (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)) and also follows wages, but it rises only in a year that also has a COLA. For 2027 it works out to $2,951.95, rounded to $2,950.
Because the rule takes "the larger of" the old and new amounts, SGA cannot fall. In a year with no COLA, the non-blind SGA can still rise. For 2016, when there was no COLA, SSA's notice raised the non-blind SGA to $1,130 while keeping the blind SGA at $1,820.
Trial work period and other work thresholds
A trial work period lets an SSDI beneficiary test work for up to nine months, not necessarily in a row, without losing benefits (20 CFR 404.1592(a)). In 2026 any month with earnings over $1,210 counts as a trial work month; in 2027 the threshold is $1,270. The amount follows the same wage-index formula as SGA, the larger of the prior amount or $530 times the ratio of the 2025 wage index to the 1999 index, which for 2027 gave $1,266.31, rounded to $1,270.
Two other figures matter to disability claimants:
- Work credits. In 2026 you earn one quarter of coverage for each $1,890 of covered earnings, up to four a year, and in 2027 it takes $1,970. SSDI requires enough recent credits to be insured.
- Student earned income exclusion. A student under 22 on SSI can exclude up to $2,410 a month of earnings in 2026, up to $9,730 for the year. This one follows the COLA: SSA raised the unrounded 2026 amounts ($2,413.64 monthly and $9,729.33 yearly) by 3.6% and rounded to the nearest $10, giving $2,500 a month and $10,080 for the year in 2027.
What stays the same in 2027
Some SSI figures have not moved in decades, and a COLA does not change them.
- The resource limit. SSI's asset limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. The statute raised it in steps to those amounts by January 1, 1989, and contains no inflation adjustment (42 U.S.C. 1382(a)(3)(A) and (B); 20 CFR 416.1205).
- The income exclusions. The $20 general exclusion and the $65 earned income exclusion are flat amounts in the regulations.
- The representative fee cap. The maximum fee a representative may charge under an approved fee agreement is the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200. SSA said in May 2025 that the $9,200 cap stays in effect and that it will publish a notice only when it increases the cap.
Where the 2027 figures are published
The COLA can be computed only after the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the September 2026 CPI. The CPI-W averaged 328.746 for July to September 2026 against 317.265 for the same months a year earlier, a rise of 3.6187% that the statute rounds to a 3.6% COLA. SSA publishes that percentage together with the wage-indexed figures, such as SGA, the trial work period amount and the taxable maximum, in its annual Federal Register notice. The statute requires several wage-indexed figures, including the taxable maximum and the earnings test limits, by November 1, and the COLA determination within 45 days after September 30, which is November 14, 2026.
SSA met both deadlines this year. Its notice, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027, Docket No. SSA-2026-1024, was filed for public inspection on October 23, 2026 and is scheduled for publication on October 26, 2026 at 91 FR 67380 to 67385. Every 2027 figure on this page is read from that notice. Last year the comparable notice published on November 3, 2025, after BLS released the September 2025 CPI on October 24.
This article provides general information about federal SSI and SSDI figures, not legal or financial advice, and it does not determine whether any person is eligible for benefits. RecordingLaw.com is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Figures were verified on October 24, 2026 against SSA's Federal Register notices for 2026 and 2027, the eCFR, the U.S. Code, SSA's Program Operations Manual System and Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-W data.
Statutes cited reflect their in-force version as of 2026-10-24.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is SSI in 2027?
Up to $1,029 a month for an individual, $1,544 for an individual with an eligible spouse, and $516 for an essential person. SSA raised the unrounded 2026 yearly amounts by the 3.6% COLA, rounded each down to a multiple of $12, and divided by 12. The figures come from SSA's notice Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027, at 91 FR 67380. Most recipients get less than the maximum, because countable income is subtracted from it.
How much will SSDI go up in 2027?
By 3.6%, the 2027 Social Security COLA stated in SSA's own notice and confirmed by the July to September 2026 CPI-W. Every current SSDI benefit rises by that percentage starting with the December 2026 benefit, paid in January 2027. There is no flat SSDI amount, because each benefit is computed from the worker's own earnings record.
What is the SGA limit for 2027?
$1,770 a month for non-blind disabilities and $2,950 for statutorily blind people, up from $1,690 and $2,830 in 2026. Those amounts follow the national average wage index rather than the COLA percentage, and by rule they cannot fall below the prior year.
Does the SSI resource limit go up in 2027?
No, unless Congress changes the law. The $2,000 individual and $3,000 couple limits have been fixed in the statute since January 1, 1989, and nothing in the law indexes them to inflation.
When is the first 2027 SSI payment?
The January 2027 SSI payment, the first at the new rate, is due on Thursday, December 31, 2026, because SSI is paid on the business day before the first of the month when the first is a holiday.
Is SGA the same as the trial work period amount?
No. SGA ($1,770 a month in 2027) is the level at which work can end SSDI eligibility. The trial work period amount ($1,270 in 2027) only marks which months count toward your nine trial work months, during which you keep your benefits.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
United States Code Title 42
§ 1382fCost-of-living adjustments in benefitsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
Whenever benefit amounts under subchapter II are increased by any percentage effective with any month as a result of a determination made under section 415(i) of this title — each of the dollar amounts in effect for such month under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A), (b)(1), and (b)(2) of section 1382 of this title, and subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 211 of Public Law 93–66, as specified in such subsections or as previously increased under this section, shall be increased by the amount (if any) by which— the amount which would have been in effect for such month under such subsection but for the rounding of such amount pursuant to paragraph (2), exceeds the amount in effect for such month under such subsection; and the amount obtained under paragraph (1) with respect to each subsection shall be further increased by the same percentage by which benefit amounts under subchapter II are increased for such month, or, if greater (in any case where the increase under subchapter II was determined on the basis of the wage increase percentage rather than the CPI increase percentage), the percentage by which benefit amounts under subchapter II would be increased for such month if the increase…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
§ 423Disability insurance benefit paymentsIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
Every individual who— is insured for disability insurance benefits (as determined under subsection (c)(1)), has not attained retirement age (as defined in section 416(l) of this title), if not a United States citizen or national— has been assigned a social security account number that was, at the time of assignment, or at any later time, consistent with the requirements of subclause (I) or (III) of section 405(c)(2)(B)(i) of this title; or at the time any quarters of coverage are earned— is described in subparagraph (B) or (D) of section 1101(a)(15) of title 8, is lawfully admitted temporarily to the United States for business (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (B)) or the performance as a crewman (in the case of an individual described in such subparagraph (D)), and the business engaged in or service as a crewman performed is within the scope of the terms of such individual’s admission to the United States.1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-16 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Social Security Disability by State: SSI, Medicaid & Approval (2026)
§ 415Computation of primary insurance amountIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
For the purposes of this subchapter— The primary insurance amount of an individual shall (except as otherwise provided in this section) be equal to the sum of— 90 percent of the individual’s average indexed monthly earnings (determined under subsection (b)) to the extent that such earnings do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B), 32 percent of the individual’s average indexed monthly earnings to the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes of clause (i) but do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B), and 15 percent of the individual’s average indexed monthly earnings to the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes of clause (ii), rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the next lower multiple of $0.10, and thereafter increased as provided in subsection (i).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: VA Disability Rates 2027: When They Change and the 2026 Pay Chart
§ 1382Eligibility for benefitsIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
Each aged, blind, or disabled individual who does not have an eligible spouse and— whose income, other than income excluded pursuant to section 1382a(b) of this title, is at a rate of not more than $1,752 (or, if greater, the amount determined under section 1382f of this title) for the calendar year 1974 or any calendar year thereafter, and whose resources, other than resources excluded pursuant to section 1382b(a) of this title, are not more than (i) in case such individual has a spouse with whom he is living, the applicable amount determined under paragraph (3)(A), or (ii) in case such individual has no spouse with whom he is living, the applicable amount determined under paragraph (3)(B), shall be an eligible individual for purposes of this subchapter.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Code of Federal Regulations Title 20
§ 416.405Cost-of-living adjustments in benefits.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
Whenever benefit amounts under title II of the Act (part 404 of this chapter) are increased by any percentage effective with any month as a result of a determination made under Section 215(i) of the Act, each of the dollar amounts in effect for such month under §§ 416.410, 416.412, and 416.413, as specified in such sections or as previously increased under this section or under any provision of the Act, will be increased. We will increase the unrounded yearly SSI benefit amount by the same percentage by which the title II benefits are being increased based on the Consumer Price Index, or, if greater, the percentage they would be increased if the rise in the Consumer Price Index were currently the basis for the title II increase. (See §§ 404.270-404.277 for an explanation of how the title II cost-of-living adjustment is computed.) If the increased annual SSI benefit amount is not a multiple of $12, it will be rounded to the next lower multiple of $12.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Also relied on in: Social Security COLA 2027: How It Is Set and When It Is Announced
§ 404.1574Evaluation guides if you are an employee.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) We use several guides to decide whether the work you have done shows that you are able to do substantial gainful activity. If you are working or have worked as an employee, we will use the provisions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section that are relevant to your work activity. We will use these provisions whenever they are appropriate, whether in connection with your application for disability benefits (when we make an initial determination on your application and throughout any appeals you may request), after you have become entitled to a period of disability or to disability benefits, or both. (1) Your earnings may show you have done substantial gainful activity. Generally, in evaluating your work activity for substantial gainful activity purposes, our primary consideration will be the earnings you derive from the work activity. We will use your earnings to determine whether you have done substantial gainful activity unless we have information from you, your employer, or others that shows that we should not count all of your earnings.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
§ 404.1592The trial work period.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Definition of the trial work period. The trial work period is a period during which you may test your ability to work and still be considered disabled. It begins and ends as described in paragraph (e) of this section. During this period, you may perform services (see paragraph (b) of this section) in as many as 9 months, but these months do not have to be consecutive. We will not consider those services as showing that your disability has ended until you have performed services in at least 9 months. However, after the trial work period has ended we will consider the work you did during the trial work period in determining whether your disability ended at any time after the trial work period. (b) What we mean by services. When used in this section, services means any activity (whether legal or illegal), even though it is not substantial gainful activity, which is done in employment or self-employment for pay or profit, or is the kind normally done for pay or profit. We generally do not consider work done without remuneration to be services if it is done merely as therapy or training or if it is work usually done in a daily routine around the house or in self-care.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
§ 416.1205Limitation on resources.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Individual with no eligible spouse. An aged, blind, or disabled individual with no spouse is eligible for benefits under title XVI of the Act if his or her nonexcludable resources do not exceed $1,500 prior to January 1, 1985, and all other eligibility requirements are met. An individual who is living with an ineligible spouse is eligible for benefits under title XVI of the Act if his or her nonexcludable resources, including the resources of the spouse, do not exceed $2,250 prior to January 1, 1985, and all other eligibility requirements are met. (b) Individual with an eligible spouse. An aged, blind, or disabled individual who has an eligible spouse is eligible for benefits under title XVI of the Act if their nonexcludable resources do not exceed $2,250 prior to January 1, 1985, and all other eligibility requirements are met. (c) Effective January 1, 1985 and later. The resources limits and effective dates for January 1, 1985 and later are as follows: Effective date Individual Individual and spouse Jan. 1, 1985 $1,600 $2,400 Jan. 1, 1986 1,700 $2,550 Jan. 1, 1987 1,800 $2,700 Jan. 1, 1988 1,900 $2,850 Jan. 1, 1989 2,000 $3,000
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
§ 416.1131The one-third reduction rule.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) What the rule is. Instead of determining the actual dollar value of in-kind support and maintenance, we count one-third of the Federal benefit rate as additional income if you (or you and your eligible spouse)— (1) Live in another person's household (see § 416.1132) for a full calendar month except for temporary absences (see § 416.1149); and (2) Receive shelter from others living in the household. (If you do not receive shelter from others living in the household, see § 416.1140); and (3) Others within the household pay for or provide you with all of your meals. If others within the household do not pay for or provide you with all of your meals, any ISM received for shelter will be calculated under the PMV rule (see § 416.1140). (b) How we apply the one-third reduction rule. The one-third reduction applies in full or not at all. When you are living in another person's household, and the one-third reduction rule applies, we do not apply any income exclusions to the reduction amount. However, we do apply appropriate exclusions to any other earned or unearned income you receive. If you have an eligible spouse we apply the rules described in § 416.1147.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
§ 416.502Manner of payment.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
For the month an individual reestablishes eligibility after a month of ineligibility, an SSI payment will be made on or after the day of the month on which the individual becomes reeligible to receive benefits. In all other months, a payment will be made on the first day of each month and represents payment for that month. If the first day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, payments will be made on the first day preceding such day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Unless otherwise indicated, the monthly amount for an eligible couple will be divided equally and paid separately to each individual. Section 416.520 explains emergency advance payments.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
§ 404.304What are the general rules on benefit amounts?In forcecited in 4 of our articles
This subpart describes how we determine the highest monthly benefit amount you ordinarily could qualify for under each type of benefit. However, the highest monthly benefit amount you could qualify for may not be the amount you will be paid. In a particular month, your benefit amount may be reduced or not paid at all. Under some circumstances, your benefit amount may be increased. The most common reasons for a change in your benefit amount are listed below. (a) Age. Sections 404.410 through 404.413 explain how your old-age, wife's or husband's, or widow's or widower's benefits may be reduced if you choose to receive them before you attain full retirement age (as defined in § 404.409). (b) Earnings. Sections 404.415 through 404.418 explain how deductions will be made from your benefits if your earnings or the insured person's earnings go over certain limits. (c) Overpayments and underpayments. Your benefits may be increased or decreased to make up for any previous overpayment or underpayment made on the insured person's record. For more information about this, see subpart F of this part. (d) Family maximum.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 9 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Anthony Parisi, Ii, a Minor, by His Parent and Natural Guardian, Lorralee Cooney v. Shirley S. Chater, Commissioner of Social Security (Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 1995, 69 F.3d 614)“…to the insured’s family within these limits. 20 C.F.R. § 404.304 (d) (emphasis added). The regulation th…”
- Harvey WOLCHUCK, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Otis R. BOWEN, M.D., Secretary of Health and Human Services, Defendant-Appellee (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1989, 871 F.2d 869)“…6 . The earnings requirements are set out in 20 C.F.R. sections 404.304 and 404.415. 7 .Ap…”
- Abreu v. Colvin (District Court, S.D. New York 2015, 152 F. Supp. 3d 166)“…divided among all the beneficiaries. 42 U.S.C. § 403 (a); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.304 (d), 404.403. However, Christopher coul…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 416.1112Earned income we do not count.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General. While we must know the source and amount of all of your earned income for SSI, we do not count all of it to determine your eligibility and benefit amount. We first exclude income as authorized by other Federal laws (see paragraph (b) of this section). Then we apply the other exclusions in the order listed in paragraph (c) of this section to the rest of your income in the month. We never reduce your earned income below zero or apply any unused earned income exclusion to unearned income. (b) Other Federal laws. Some Federal laws other than the Social Security Act provide that we cannot count some of your earned income for SSI purposes. We list the laws and exclusions in the appendix to this subpart which we update periodically. (c) Other earned income we do not count.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Calkins v. Blum (District Court, N.D. New York 1981, 511 F. Supp. 1073)“…of the SSI program. Cf: 42 U.S.C. § 1382a(b); 20 C.F.R. § 416.1112 ( 45 Fed. Reg. 65549 , October 3, 1980…”
- Hattie Beatty O/b/o Dorease M. Beatty v. Richard Schweiker, Secretary of Health and Human Services (Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1982, 678 F.2d 359)“…s since been reworded and renumbered. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.1112 (b) (1981); 20 C.F.R. § 416.1124 (b) (…”
- Ford v. Shalala (District Court, E.D. New York 1999, 87 F. Supp. 2d 163)“…claimant, plus certain other exclusions. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.1112 . Deemed income is also to be reduced b…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 416.1121Types of unearned income.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
Some types of unearned income are— (a) Annuities, pensions, and other periodic payments. This unearned income is usually related to prior work or service. It includes, for example, private pensions, social security benefits, disability benefits, veterans benefits, worker's compensation, railroad retirement annuities and unemployment insurance benefits. (b) Alimony and support payments. For SSI purposes, alimony and support payments are cash or in-kind contributions to meet some or all of a person's needs for food or shelter. Support payments may be made voluntarily or because of a court order. Alimony (sometimes called maintenance) is an allowance made by a court from the funds of one spouse to the other spouse in connection with a suit for separation or divorce. (c) Dividends, interest, and certain royalties. Dividends and interest are returns on capital investments, such as stocks, bonds, or savings accounts. Royalties are compensation paid to the owner for the use of property, usually copyrighted material or natural resources such as mines, oil wells, or timber tracts.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 49 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Moreland v. Sullivan (District Court, C.D. Illinois 1991, 765 F. Supp. 970)“…ry when determining the amount of benefits due a claimant. 20 C.F.R. § 416.1121 (b). In addition, by specifically exclu…”
- Martha M. BURNETT, Appellee, v. Margaret HECKLER, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Appellant (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 1985, 756 F.2d 621)“…sability benefits is considered "income” for SSI purposes, 20 C.F.R. § 416.1121 (a), but cannot be counted until actual…”
- Florence Paxton v. Secretary of Health and Human Services (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1988, 856 F.2d 1352)“…late to the claimant’s prior work or service. 20 C.F.R. § 416.1121 (a). As we noted earlier, many types of…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 416.1124Unearned income we do not count.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General. While we must know the source and amount of all of your unearned income for SSI, we do not count all of it to determine your eligibility and benefit amount. We first exclude income as authorized by other Federal laws (see paragraph (b) of this section). Then we apply the other exclusions in the order listed in paragraph (c) of this section to the rest of your unearned income in the month. We never reduce your unearned income below zero or apply any unused unearned income exclusion to earned income except for the $20 general exclusion described in paragraph (c)(12) of this section. (b) Other Federal laws. Some Federal laws other than the Social Security Act provide that we cannot count some of your unearned income for SSI purposes. We list the laws and the exclusions in the appendix to this subpart which we update periodically. (c) Other unearned income we do not count. We do not count as unearned income— (1) Any public agency's refund of taxes on real property or food; (2) Assistance based on need which is wholly funded by a State or one of its political subdivisions.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 28 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Pennsylvania v. United States (Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1984, 752 F.2d 795)“…y funded by a state or one of its political subdivisions.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.1124 (c)(2) (1984). Because AFDC payments ar…”
- Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania v. United States (Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1984, 752 F.2d 795)“…funded by a state or one of its political subdivisions." 20 C.F.R. Sec. 416.1124(c)(2) (1984). Because AFDC payments ar…”
- Felicia Grunfeder v. Margaret M. Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1983, 708 F.2d 458)“…0 C.F.R. § 416 .-1156(a) (1979) (federal disaster relief); 20 C.F.R. § 416.1124 (c)(5) (1982) (same); 20 C.F.R. § 416.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 416.420Determination of benefits; general.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
Benefits shall be determined for each month. The amount of the monthly payment will be computed by reducing the benefit rate (see §§ 416.410, 416.412, 416.413, and 416.414) by the amount of countable income as figured under the rules in subpart K of this part. The appropriate month's countable income to be used to determine how much your benefit payment will be for the current month (the month for which a benefit is payable) will be determined as follows: (a) General rule. We generally use the amount of your countable income in the second month prior to the current month to determine how much your benefit amount will be for the current month. We will use the benefit rate (see §§ 416.410 through 416.414), as increased by a cost-of-living adjustment, in determining the value of the one-third reduction or the presumed maximum value, to compute your SSI benefit amount for the first 2 months in which the cost-of-living adjustment is in effect.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 17 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Juanita Newman, on Behalf of Herself and All Others Similarly Situated v. Kenneth Apfel, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2000, 223 F.3d 937)“…th before the current month in calculating benefits. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.420 (a). In 1982, Congress enacted an exc…”
- Doyle v. Shalala (Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 1995, 62 F.3d 740)“…ed on income earned in the second preceding month. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.420(a). 5 Section 1382(c)(2) pro…”
- Jones v. Shalala (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1993, 5 F.3d 447)“…nt's income from other sources. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1382 (b); 20 C.F.R. Sec. 416.420. The Secretary calculates the monthly b…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Sources and References
- Social Security Administration, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2026, 90 FR 49047 (Nov. 3, 2025)(federalregister.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.405, cost-of-living adjustments in SSI benefit rates(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.420, computing the SSI payment amount(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.1112, earned income exclusions (incl. $65 and student exclusion)(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.1124, unearned income exclusions ($20 general exclusion)(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.1121, types of unearned income(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.1131, the one-third reduction rule(ecfr.gov).gov
- SSA POMS SI 02001.020, SSI benefit rate chart (one-third reduction amounts)(secure.ssa.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.502, SSI payment dates(ecfr.gov).gov
- 42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(A)(ii), COLA rounding of primary insurance amounts(govinfo.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 404.304(f), rounding of monthly benefits(ecfr.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 404.1574(b)(2)(ii), substantial gainful activity amount (wage-indexed)(ecfr.gov).gov
- 42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4), SGA for statutorily blind individuals(govinfo.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 404.1592, the trial work period(ecfr.gov).gov
- 42 U.S.C. 1382(a)(3)(A)-(B), SSI resource limits(govinfo.gov).gov
- 20 CFR 416.1205, limits on SSI resources(ecfr.gov).gov
- SSA, Maximum Dollar Limit in the Fee Agreement Process, Partial Rescission, 90 FR 19241 (May 6, 2025)(federalregister.gov).gov
- Social Security Administration, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2016 (no COLA year)(federalregister.gov).gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index release schedule(bls.gov).gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-W series CWUR0000SA0, monthly index levels (July to September 2026: 327.104, 328.481, 330.654)(data.bls.gov).gov
- 42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(D) and (1)(G), CPI increase percentage rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent and quarterly index as the mean of its three months(govinfo.gov).gov
- Social Security Administration, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027, Docket No. SSA-2026-1024, 91 FR 67380 (scheduled for publication October 26, 2026)(federalregister.gov).gov
- Public inspection copy of SSA's Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027, filed October 23, 2026 (3.6 percent COLA, 2027 SSI rates, SGA and trial work period amounts)(federalregister.gov).gov
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