Proposed Social Security Rule Could Reduce SSI Support for Hundreds of Thousands of Disabled Americans
A newly proposed rule from the Social Security Administration could change how some disabled Americans qualify for Supplemental Security Income, commonly known as SSI. The proposal is now under federal review and could affect nearly 400,000 people who either receive SSI benefits or may qualify for them in the future.
The proposed change focuses on how the federal government defines a “public assistance household” and whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, should continue to count when determining SSI eligibility. If approved, the rule would reverse a previous policy that expanded access to benefits for low-income disabled individuals living with relatives or friends.
Under the proposal, SNAP benefits would no longer be considered a qualifying form of public income maintenance when Social Security reviews SSI eligibility. The administration is also proposing to return to an older definition of a public assistance household, where every person in the household must receive qualifying public assistance for the home to meet the standard.
The issue is especially important for disabled adults who live with family members, roommates, or friends because household income and living arrangements can directly affect SSI payments. Many recipients rely on shared housing because of rising living costs and limited income.
According to findings cited by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security actuaries estimated in 2024 that including SNAP as a qualifying benefit helped increase SSI support for many low-income households. The analysis projected that by 2033, around 277,000 SSI recipients would receive higher monthly payments under the expanded rule, while an additional 109,000 people could newly qualify for benefits.
The proposed rule would stop those projected increases from taking effect.
Federal officials supporting the change said the proposal is intended to strengthen “program integrity” and reduce administrative burdens linked to the current rule. The draft language under review argues that the costs and implementation challenges outweigh the expected benefits.
Critics of the proposal, however, argue that the change could significantly affect vulnerable Americans already struggling financially. Policy analysts warn that many disabled individuals living in low-income households could face lower monthly SSI payments or lose eligibility completely if SNAP is removed from the qualifying criteria.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated that more than 275,000 people could see benefit reductions, while over 100,000 others could lose SSI eligibility entirely if the proposal becomes final.
The debate centers on how Social Security evaluates poverty within shared households. Under the older policy the administration wants to restore, households may no longer qualify simply because one or more members receive SNAP benefits. Instead, stricter standards would apply when determining whether a disabled adult living with others qualifies for full SSI support.
For many families, the proposed change could create additional financial pressure. Adults with disabilities who live with parents, siblings, or friends may be assessed partly based on the value of the housing support they receive and the income or assets of the people they live with. Advocates say that approach may not fully reflect the financial hardship experienced by low-income households already relying on federal assistance programs.
The proposal remains under review, and no final decision has been announced. If approved, the rule would mark another major change affecting SSI eligibility rules and benefit calculations for disabled Americans nationwide.
Sources:
Social Security Administration
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities