By the end of 2024, more U.S. citizens will be eligible to receive benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is due to an update in the program that seeks to provide support to low-income seniors and those with qualifying disabilities. These changes will benefit the direct participants, but also their relatives, who receive informal assistance to make ends meet.
The most significant adjustment made is aimed at increasing benefits for those low-income U.S. citizens, while reducing reporting requirements for beneficiaries. The SSA recently introduced its new rule updating the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, which provides assistance to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, or who suffer from blindness or permanent disability.
The new Social Security regulations indicate that households that receive food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, could automatically be eligible to receive SSI. In addition, with the update of this rule, all residents of households where not all members receive certain types of income-based benefits will be allowed to get SSI benefits.
Expanded Eligibility: SSI to Welcome SNAP Beneficiaries
At the beginning of 2024, the SSA also eliminated a rule that considered food aid as part of the income that SSI applicants had to review. With this elimination, food aid is no longer considered as income, which allows more people to receive benefits. Likewise, any informal food aid coming from friends, family, and community support networks or communal canteens is also not considered as income for applicants.
Previously, the Social Security Administration considered maintenance and in-kind support as unearned income, which could limit the eligibility of beneficiaries or reduce the amount of benefit a person received from SSI. With these updates, we seek to facilitate access to these vital benefits by 2024, whose limits are $943 for an individual and $1415 for an individual with an eligible spouse.
This expanded eligibility will take effect from September 30, 2024, contributing to greater equity in assistance programs and removing barriers so that more people can access this aid, which will help them overcome the economic difficulties they are facing.
Who Qualifies for SNAP Benefits?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that operates throughout the United States, including not only the 49 contiguous states and Washington D.C., but also in Alaska, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands. This program provides benefits in the form of electronic money through a card called Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT card).
SNAP benefits are delivered monthly and to apply for them, it is necessary to first identify the nearest office according to your state or place of residence. Once approved, these benefits can be used to purchase a variety of foods from licensed grocery stores, helping to improve food security for low-income individuals and families.
In addition to SNAP, those who qualify may also be eligible for other support programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs play a crucial role in providing economic and food aid to those who need it most, thus contributing to improving their quality of life and well-being. Find your nearest SNAP benefits office here.
