Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Do you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? If so, you need to tell us about any financial accounts you own, alone or with someone else. That’s because SSI is a needs-based program, and eligibility is determined by your resources as well as your income. Examples of financial accounts include:
- Checking, savings, and credit union accounts
- Christmas club accounts
- Certificates of deposit, also known as CDs
- Stocks and U.S. savings bonds
What you need to report:
You need to tell us about changes to your financial accounts or account balances to ensure you receive the correct SSI payment amount.
Let us know if you:
- Open a new account
- Close an account
- Add a joint owner to an existing account
- Increase your account balance over the SSI resource limit of:
- $2,000 for an individual
- $3,000 for a married couple living together and receiving SSI
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts
ABLE programs allow people with disabilities to save money without losing important benefits, including SSI. We exclude ABLE accounts with balances less than $100,000 when determining SSI eligibility. To learn more about ABLE accounts, visit ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-able.html.
How to Report Changes to Your Financial Accounts
- Call us toll free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Contact your local Social Security office. You can find your local office at ssa.gov/locator.
Additional Information
For a complete list of SSI reporting responsibilities, please refer to the publication What You Need to Know When You Get SSI at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11011.pdf.
