SSI benefits available based on resources

Published: August 28, 2011 Comment on this article

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Q: Is it true that a person can own a home and still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits?

A: Yes, even though SSI is a needs-based program, a person who owns the home they live in can be eligible for SSI benefits. People who receive SSI must be age 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income and resources. But a personal residence is not counted as a resource for SSI purposes. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html.

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What's a resource?

Q: I understand that you need to have limited resources to receive Supplemental Security Income. But what is considered a “resource”?

A: Resources are things you own that you can use to support yourself. They include cash, real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, stocks and bonds.

To be eligible for SSI a person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. A married couple must have $3,000 or less in countable resources. If you own resources over the SSI limit, you may be able to get SSI benefits while trying to sell the resources.

Not all of your resources count toward the SSI resource limit. For example:

The home you live in and the land it's on do not count

Your personal effects and household goods do not count

Life insurance policies may not count, depending on their value

Your car usually does not count

Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family do not count

Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse may not count

If you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you plan to use them to work or earn extra income

For more information read, Understanding SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm.

This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at (800) 772-1213.