Changes already announced – more Social Security money for some Americans

According to current news from the Social Security AdministrationThere will be three new major changes to help poor people in America qualify for more money. Soon, several barriers to providing food and other essentials to people living in poverty will be removed so they can qualify for a single SSA financial or insurance program. Additionally, the agency will simplify and expand its Security Income supplemental benefit guidelines for people with low or no income and limited resources.

Social Security recipients could be eligible for more money

Starting Monday, SSI applicants and recipients will no longer have their Social Security benefits denied or reduced because they may receive unofficial food assistance from friends, family and local networks. Food is no longer included in the agency Benefits in kind and maintenance (ISM) Calculations. For those receiving SSI payments, the change is a welcome boost. According to the agency's calculations, over 90,000 people would see an increase in SSI payments of about $131 per month. It would also be possible that more people would be eligible for support.

Commissioner Martin O'Malley told the Detroit Free Press on Friday that SSI is a program for the poorest of the poor. The program was introduced in the 1970s with monthly delivery financial support for older or disabled people with limited means and income. According to O'Malley, the program is based on income, and to be eligible you must have a very low income. As of December 2023, approximately 248,300 people in Michigan received SSI payments, including 31,576 children and youth under the age of 18.

Based on the Social Security websiteSSI is typically only available to people whose monthly earned income does not exceed $1,971. The income limit increases for couples and parents who are entitled to children. The Social Security Administration says that in addition to your employment, we also consider other sources of income, such as: B. Pensions, unemployment benefits and disability benefits. An online calculator is available at www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility to give you an idea of ​​who is eligible for assistance. According to O'Malley, the goal was to streamline all aspects of SSI, including program administration. He explained that the process will be streamlined with the upcoming adjustments.

Further changes in the area of ​​social security are ready to be implemented

Starting Monday, the agency is expanding the rental assistance waiver to all SSI applicants and recipients nationwide who previously applied in seven states, including Michigan, which was not among the states previously affected by the policy. The agency estimates that this change could allow more people to qualify for SSI and increase monthly payments by about $132 for about 41,000 people. A third reform concerns food assistance. The agency will be involved from Monday Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP) Benefits under the public aid categories included in the policy.

As a result, the agency is no longer required to consider all household members receiving welfare as part of a welfare household when submitting an application Social Security Benefits. The expanded definition of welfare will allow more people to qualify for SSI, increase some monthly payment amounts, and reduce reporting requirements for those living in households on welfare. Around 277,000 people are expected to benefit from the increased payments. The agency assumes that a person living in a welfare household does not receive income from other household members.

With this significant adjustment, more people will be eligible Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and receive larger payments from the program in certain situations. Remember that SSI benefits are available to people age 65 and older with low incomes and resources, as well as adults and children who are blind or disabled. Basic costs such as rent, food, clothing and medication are partially covered by the benefits. Eligibility requirements such as income and resource limitations must be met by anyone seeking and receiving SSI.