SSI SPOTLIGHT ON THE ONE-THIRD REDUCTION PROVISION -- 2025 Edition
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.
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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. |
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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:
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1–800–772–1213 (TTY 1–800–325–0778),
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
(www.ssa.gov) ON THE INTERNET,
OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.