New Social Security rules starting in September: who will it benefit?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is preparing for the implementation of new rules that will affect millions of beneficiaries. Although the majority of recipients are retired workers, around seven million Americans receive benefits through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which will be the category that will undergo changes starting in September.

SSI beneficiaries include people aged 65 and older, adults and children with some type of disability or blindness, and individuals with limited resources. To be eligible for SSI payment, a person must have income equal to or less than $1,971 per month. The average benefit for an individual is $943 per month while it’s $1,415 for couples filing their taxes jointly. However, the new rules could change the eligibility of beneficiaries and increase payments for those already qualified.

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These are the new Social Security rules starting in September

With the goal of expanding eligibility for Americans and helping those already part of the Supplemental Security Income Program, the SSA has announced three new rules that will go into effect on September 30, 2024. .

Public assistance household

SSA will expand the definition of “Public Assistance Household.” Currently, all household members are required to receive public assistance in order to apply for SSI benefits. However, under the new rule, only one SSI recipient and at least one other member who receives one or more forms of public payments will suffice. Additionally, those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) will now be included as a public assistance household.

“By simplifying our policies and including an additional program aimed at low-income families, like SNAP, we are removing important barriers to accessing SSI,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “These changes promote greater equity in our programs.”

With this, the aim is to increase the payment of 277,000 thousand beneficiaries and extend eligibility to approximately 109,000 people.

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Food assistance

The SSA has also established that relief in the form of food, which falls into the category of in-kind support and maintenance (ISM), will no longer be considered in eligibility calculations. Under the old regulations, relief for food and housing were counted as unearned income, which considerably reduces benefits.

“This represents a truly significant step to address one of the most complex, burdensome and inhumane policies affecting people with disabilities who receive SSI,” said Darcy Milburn, director of Social Security and health care policy at The Arc, a nonprofit organization that provides care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, per CNBC.

Rent subsidy policy

The agency will also expand its SSI rental subsidy policy. This is intended to prevent discounted rent or other rental assistance from affecting SSI eligibility or monthly payment amounts. Currently, the measure is in effect in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. With the new rule, the policy will be extended to the federal level.