WILL THE ONE-THIRD REDUCTION PROVISION AFFECT MY SSI PAYMENT?

We may reduce your SSI payment by one-third if you live in another person’s household throughout a month and others in your household pay for or provide you with all of your meals and your shelter expenses.

EXAMPLE—SSI reduced by one-third:  On January 1, 2025, Mary Johnson moved in with her adult child and grandchildren and received all meals and shelter from within the household.  Mary did not help pay the shelter  expenses. Because Mary received all meals  and shelter expenses from her adult child, we would reduce the monthly SSI payments by one-third.  If Mary does not have any other countable income, the SSI payment would be reduced to $644.67.

Effective 09/30/2024, food is no longer included in ISM calculations. This means that the value of food will no longer reduce your SSI payment. Prior to 09/30/2024, food or shelter were included in the ISM calculations; and the receipt of food from inside or outside the home was counted as ISM.

WHEN DOES THE VALUE OF THE ONE-THIRD REDUCTION NOT APPLY?

The one-third reduction does not apply if you live in another person’s household but no one pays for or provides you with all your meals and you pay your share of the expenses for shelter.

EXAMPLE—One-Third Reduction No Longer Applies:  Mary Johnson notifies Social Security that she started receiving SNAP benefits and paying her adult child for her share of the household shelter expense as of February 1, 2025.  There are five people in this household: Mary, her adult child, her child’s spouse, and two children. The household expenses for  rent and utilities are $1,750 per month.  Mary pays the adult child $350 per month, which is her pro rata share.  Based on Mary paying her pro rata share, not having any other countable income and receiving SNAP benefits, we would stop reducing the SSI payments by one-third and begin paying the full SSI amount of $967 per month.

The one-third reduction also does not apply if you live in your own home or apartment.

EXAMPLE—One-Third Reduction Does Not Apply:  Mary contacts Social Security to report that she has moved into her own apartment and lives alone on February 10, 2025. Based on Mary living in her own household, the one-third reduction does not apply. If Mary does not receive help for shelter expenses from someone outside her household and she does not have any other countable income, Mary is due the full monthly SSI payment amount of $967.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT MY SSI PAYMENTS ARE CORRECT?

You must report changes to your living arrangements within 10 days after a change occurs. Some of the changes that can affect your SSI payment include:

	Moving to a new address
	Contributing more money to the household for your shelter
	A change in how many persons live in your household
	Separately purchasing your own food or someone in the household no longer pays for all your food or provides all your meals.