Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federally funded need-based disability program that pays recipients a set monthly amount. The SSI disability benefit provided by the federal government is the same in all states. However, in most states, SSI recipients can receive an additional supplementary payment from their state, giving them a monthly benefit amount that's higher than the federal amount ($771 in 2019).
Every state except Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota, and West Virginia currently pays a state supplement to its disabled residents who receive SSI. However, some states pay a supplment only when a person with a disability lives in a certain setting, such as an adult care home or nursing home.
Each state makes up its own rules about how much the monthly supplement is and who is entitled to the supplement. The amount of the state supplement ranges from about $10 to $400, depending on the state. In addition, states often vary the amount of the supplement depending on whether you are single or married and on whether you live in a nursing home, assisted living, or on your own. You can check with your Social Security claims representative when you file for disability about the current amount of your state's supplement and whether you are eligible for it.
The Social Security Administration administers the state supplement for some states. The states with Social Security-administered supplemental payments are: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. You can see the state SSI supplemental amounts for these states on the SSA's website. In these states, your application for SSI is an application for the state supplement as well, and you'll receive one check from Social Security that combines the federal and state SSI benefits.
In states that administer their own supplement program, you have to file a supplemental application with the state agency. You can find the amount of the supplemental payment for all states in our state-by-state disability pages.
The amount of the state supplement affects how much income you can make in your state and still be eligible for SSI. For more information, see our article on the SSI income limits.