U.S. · SSI 2027
2027 SSI federal benefit rate per SSA.
The 2027 monthly Supplemental Security Income amounts from the Social Security Administration, and what counts against them.
The 2027 SSI federal benefit rate is $1,029 a month for an individual and $1,544 for a couple, a 3.6% cost-of-living increase from $994 and $1,491 in 2026. An essential person gets $516. The January 2027 payment is paid early, on December 31, 2026. The resource limits in the regulation are still $2,000 (individual) and $3,000 (couple).
Estimate your 2027 federal SSI
Result
The 2027 SSI amounts
SSA announced the 3.6% cost-of-living increase on the October 26, 2026 Federal Register notice. SSI federal benefit rates rise by the same percentage, effective for January 2027.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, monthly | $994 | $1,029 |
| Individual with eligible spouse, monthly (total for the couple) | $1,491 | $1,544 |
| Essential person, monthly | $498 | $516 |
| Individual, yearly | $11,928 | $12,348 |
| Couple, yearly | $17,892 | $18,528 |
| Student earned income exclusion (child), monthly / yearly | $2,410 / $9,730 | $2,500 / $10,080 |
| Representative payee fee limit (monthly) | $57; $106 if disabled and unable to manage benefits | $59; $110 |
SSA also set the special benefit for certain World War II veterans living abroad at $771.75 (75% of $1,029).
How the rate is rounded
SSA takes the unrounded 2026 yearly amount, multiplies it by 1.036, and rounds down to the next multiple of $12 so the monthly amount is a whole dollar. For an individual: $11,929.46 × 1.036 = $12,358.92, rounded down to $12,348, and $12,348 ÷ 12 = $1,029. For a couple: $17,892.21 × 1.036 = $18,536.33, rounded down to $18,528, which is $1,544. A couple splits the amount equally, so each spouse is paid $772.
Worked example
A person receives $300 a month from a pension and earns $800 a month. The first $20 of unearned income is excluded, leaving $280 countable. From earnings, SSA excludes $65, leaving $735, and then counts half, which is $367.50. Countable income is $647.50, so the federal payment is $1,029 − $647.50 = $381.50 a month. The estimator above runs this same sequence. Once the exclusions are used, each extra $1 of earnings reduces the SSI payment by 50 cents.
Resources and payment timing
The regulation on resource limits lists $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for an individual with an eligible spouse, effective since January 1, 1989, and the 2027 notice announces no change to those limits. They are not tied to the cost-of-living increase. SSA states that the increased rates apply to payments for January 2027 that are paid on December 31, 2026.
Other 2027 numbers announced the same day
Substantial gainful activity is $1,770 a month for non-blind people with a disability and $2,950 for statutorily blind people. A trial work period month is any month with earnings over $1,270. Retirement and disability (title II) benefits also rise 3.6% beginning with December 2026 benefits, payable in January 2027.
Sources
Primary sources opened and checked on November 1, 2026. Figures are for 2027 unless a source says otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSI federal benefit rate for 2027?
$1,029 a month for an individual and $1,544 a month for an individual with an eligible spouse. The essential person rate is $516. These are 3.6% higher than the 2026 amounts of $994, $1,491 and $498.
When is the first 2027 SSI payment?
SSA states that the increased rates apply to payments for January 2027 but paid on December 31, 2026.
What is the SSI resource limit in 2027?
The regulation sets $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. The 2027 SSA notice does not change them; they do not rise with the cost-of-living increase.
Do I get the full $1,029?
Only with no countable income. Unearned income reduces the payment dollar for dollar after a $20 exclusion, and earnings reduce it by half of what remains after $65. Living with others, in-kind support and deeming can lower it further, and some states add a supplement.
Do Social Security retirement and disability benefits also go up?
Yes. SSA announced the same 3.6% increase for title II benefits beginning with December 2026 benefits, payable in January 2027.
Not tax advice
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