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Aug 13, 2026
For people in North Carolina who are suffering from an illness, condition or injury and meet the necessary financial requirements, Supplemental Security Income through the Social Security disability program is available. However, it is vital that those who are seeking benefits understand those requirements and know whether they meet them. There are several factors that go into determining whether a person can get SSI benefits.
Income Requirements for SSI
An applicant must meet the income threshold. The income encompasses everything that the person earns, any Social Security benefits, pensions, the value of items received from someone else like shelter and food. The location where a person resides also has an influence on the income a person can have before getting SSI. Each state has different criteria.
Resource and Asset Limits for SSI
That which the person owns will be considered. If the resources for an individual do not go beyond $2,000 or $3,000 for a married couple that resides together, then it is possible to get SSI. Not everything is counted when the decision is made. A house will not count if the person owns and lives there. A car will usually not be counted either. Other assets will be counted.
Current SSA guidance confirms these figures have not moved: countable resources must stay below $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple to qualify for SSI, though certain items are excluded from that count. Exclusions may apply to the income and resource limits depending on a person’s situation.
Citizenship and Residency Requirements
A person must be a resident of one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Non-citizens who are living legally in the U.S. might be able to get SSI. When seeking SSI, it is necessary for the applicant to also try to get other government benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food and Medicaid for medical care.
Current SSI Payment Amounts for 2026
The maximum SSI payment changes almost every year based on the cost of living, so applicants should not rely on outdated dollar figures when estimating what they might receive. Effective January 1, 2026, the Federal benefit rate is $994 for an individual and $1,491 for a couple. This increase followed a broader adjustment across the Social Security system. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026.
Most SSI recipients receive less than the maximum amount because SSA subtracts countable income from that federal benefit rate dollar for dollar. Some states also add a supplemental payment on top of the federal amount, so the total a person receives can vary depending on where in North Carolina they live and what other income they report.
Who Qualifies for SSI?
To qualify for SSI, an applicant generally needs to meet all of the following:
- Age or disability test: the applicant is 65 or older, blind, or has a medical condition, verified by SSA, that limits their ability to work.
- Income test: countable income, including wages, other benefits, and support from family or friends, falls under the SSI income limits for the applicant’s state.
- Resource test: countable resources stay under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, not counting a primary home or, usually, one vehicle.
- Residency and citizenship test: the applicant lives in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands and is a citizen or meets a qualifying immigration status.
Meeting all four tests does not guarantee approval on the first try. Many otherwise-eligible applicants are still denied because of paperwork issues or incomplete medical evidence, which is one reason it helps to have someone familiar with how SSA reviews a file look at the application before it is submitted.
Talk to an SSI Lawyer About Your Claim
When considering seeking SSI benefits, it is imperative to know about the eligibility requirements. If there is confusion or an issue when applying, speaking to an experienced legal professional is a wise decision. A lawyer who knows about SSI Supplemental Security Income can help with a case from start to finish.
Attorney Daniel A. Bridgman, a founding attorney with Bridgman Gantt Law Offices, previously worked as a Disability Examiner in Raleigh for North Carolina Disability Determination Services, the state office that reviews and decides SSI and Social Security disability claims, before shifting his practice to represent applicants and claimants. That background gives him a firsthand view of how examiners evaluate an SSI file, which can help applicants avoid common mistakes that lead to a denial.
Bridgman Gantt Law Offices serves North Carolina clients on Social Security disability and SSI matters. Reach out today for consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for SSI?
Generally, a person qualifies for SSI if they are 65 or older, blind, or disabled under SSA’s rules, and their countable income and resources fall under the program’s limits. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, national, or hold a qualifying immigration status, and live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
How much can I earn and still get SSI?
There is no single dollar figure that applies to everyone because SSA excludes certain income before counting the rest against the federal benefit rate. The federal benefit rate is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple as of January 1, 2026, and a person’s actual payment is that amount minus their countable income.
Does owning a car or a house disqualify me from SSI?
Usually not. The home a person owns and lives in is excluded from the resource count, and SSA typically excludes one vehicle used for transportation. Other property, extra vehicles, and savings above the resource limit can count against eligibility.
Can I receive SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the same time?
Yes, this is called receiving concurrent benefits. A person with a low SSDI payment may still qualify for a reduced SSI payment on top of it if their combined income and resources fall within SSI’s limits. An attorney can review both claims together to see whether concurrent benefits apply to a specific situation.
What if my resources go over the limit for one month?
SSI eligibility is checked as of the first day of each month. If countable resources are over the limit at the beginning of the month, the applicant cannot receive SSI for that month. Keeping close track of bank balances, especially after a lump-sum payment or tax refund, helps avoid an unexpected gap in benefits.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits, and Are You Eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?, Publication No. 05-11003, January 2026 edition, accessed August 2026.
North Carolina Supplemental Security Income Resources:
