The 36 states that supplement SSI payments up to $120 every month – is yours on the list?

ABOUT 8million Americans receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and for many, it's still not enough to pay for the basic necessities.

Some recipients may see a boost as states add funds to the monthly checks.

The Supplemental Security Income program provides financial support to needy persons aged 65 or older, blind or disabled adults and blind or disabled children.

Eligibility requirements and federal payment standards are the same.

Anyone may apply for SSI, but not everyone receives the same amount.

You may get more if you live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment.

You may get less if you have other income such as wages, pensions or Social Security benefits. 

Additionally, you could also get less if someone pays your household expenses or if you live with a spouse and he or she has income.

Generally, the maximum federal SSI benefit changes yearly.

SSI benefits increased in 2022 as the cost of living rose.

Effective January 1, 2022, the federal benefit rate is now $841 for an individual and $1,261 for a couple.

You must be a US citizen, national of the US or a certain noncitizen to be eligible for SSI.

You must also live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands.

The exceptions to this are children of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty outside the US and certain students temporarily abroad who may receive SSI payments outside the US.

Which states offer supplemental payments?

No state supplement

• Arizona
• Mississippi
• North Dakota
• West Virginia
• Northern Mariana Islands

Social Security administered supplement

In these states, Social Security administers some categories of state supplement payments, while the state administers other categories of supplemental payments.

• California
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington, DC

State-administered supplement

The following states pay and administer their own supplemental payments, in addition to the federal SSI monthly payment.

Amounts vary by state but New York offers an extra $87 a month for individuals or $104 for couples, while Alabama couples can get a $120 boost.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

SSI amounts for 2022

In December 2021, SSI recipients started receiving an increased check to reflect the 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2022.

The monthly maximum federal amounts are $841 for an eligible individual.

For an individual with an eligible spouse, the monthly amount is $1,261.

For an essential person, the amount is $421 a month.

We have tips on how to deal with inflation.

Here is the Social Security payment schedule for 2022.