SSI Benefit Estimator
Estimated Monthly SSI
What Is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration. It provides monthly cash payments to people who:
- Are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled
- Have very limited income
- Have very limited assets
SSI is different from Social Security retirement or SSDI. You do not need a work history to qualify.
What an SSI Eligibility Calculator Does
An SSI Eligibility Calculator estimates two things:
- Whether you meet the basic financial rules
- How much your monthly federal SSI benefit could be
It does this by applying official SSI formulas to the information you enter, such as income, assets, and living situation.
This calculator focuses on federal SSI only. Many states add extra money, which is not included in the estimate.
Who Should Use an SSI Eligibility Calculator?
This tool is useful if you are:
- Thinking about applying for SSI
- Already receiving SSI and want to understand your payment
- Helping a family member or client plan financially
- Comparing how work or other income may affect benefits
It is especially helpful because SSI rules can feel confusing when read directly from government manuals.
Key SSI Rules the Calculator Uses
To understand the calculator, it helps to know the main SSI rules it follows.
1. Asset Limits
SSI has strict limits on countable assets.
- Individual: $2,000
- Eligible couple: $3,000
Countable assets include:
- Cash
- Bank accounts
- Second vehicles
- Non-primary property
Not counted:
- Your primary home
- One main vehicle
If your assets are over the limit, the calculator will show ineligible, no matter your income.
2. Federal Benefit Rate (FBR)
The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is the maximum monthly SSI payment before reductions.
For 2025:
- Individual: $967
- Couple: $1,450
The calculator starts with this number and then subtracts reductions.
3. Living Arrangement Adjustment (VTR Rule)
Where you live matters.
If you:
- Live in your own household
- Or pay your fair share of rent
You keep the full FBR.
If you:
- Live in someone else’s household
- And do not pay your fair share
SSI applies a one-third reduction, called the Value of the One-Third Reduction (VTR).
The calculator automatically applies this rule when selected.
4. Countable Income Rules (Explained Simply)
SSI does not count all income dollar-for-dollar. Several exclusions apply.
Step 1: $20 General Exclusion
- The first $20 of income is ignored
- Applied to unearned income first
Step 2: Earned Income Exclusions
If you work:
- First $65 is ignored
- Remaining amount is cut in half
This means working usually reduces SSI less than expected.
What the Calculator Asks You to Enter
The calculator uses five main inputs.
Application Type
Choose:
- Individual
- Eligible couple
This sets the correct asset limit and FBR.
Living Arrangement
Choose:
- Own household / pay fair share
- Live in another’s household without paying fair share
This determines whether the one-third reduction applies.
Total Countable Assets
Enter the total value of:
- Cash
- Bank balances
- Other countable property
Do not include your main home or main vehicle.
Gross Unearned Income
Examples:
- SSDI
- Pensions
- Unemployment
- Cash gifts
Enter the monthly gross amount.
Gross Earned Income
Examples:
- Wages
- Self-employment earnings
Enter the amount before taxes.
How the Calculator Reaches Its Result
The calculator follows this exact order:
- Checks asset eligibility
- Calculates countable income
- Applies living arrangement reduction (if any)
- Subtracts income from the FBR
- Shows eligibility and estimated benefit
Everything shown in the results comes from these steps.
Understanding the Results Section
After you click Calculate Benefit, you see three key outcomes.
Eligibility Status
- Eligible: You meet the financial rules
- Ineligible: Assets or income are too high
A short message explains why.
Countable Income
This is the amount SSI subtracts from your benefit after exclusions.
It is often much lower than your actual income.
Estimated Federal SSI Benefit
This is your estimated monthly payment before any state supplement.
The breakdown shows:
- Base FBR
- Living arrangement reduction (if any)
- Countable income
- Final estimated SSI amount
This transparency helps you see exactly how each rule affects the result.
Important Limits of an SSI Eligibility Calculator
This tool is accurate for estimation, but it cannot:
- Replace an official SSI decision
- Account for every rare SSI exception
- Include state SSI supplements
- Evaluate medical disability eligibility
Final approval always comes from the Social Security Administration.
Why This Calculator Is Still Very Useful
Even with limits, the calculator helps you:
- Avoid surprises before applying
- Understand why payments change
- Plan work without fear of losing all benefits
- Learn SSI rules without legal jargon
For many people, it removes confusion and replaces it with clarity.