FNS - SSA Joint Letter

Dear State SNAP Directors:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have news to share! SSA recently made changes to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, making it stronger and simpler for more than a quarter of a million older adults and people with disabilities. These changes could potentially increase SSI payments and allow more people to become eligible for the program.

As of September 30, SSA expanded the definition of a public assistance household:

• If someone else in a household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the household is now considered a public assistance household for SSI purposes.
• SSA no longer requires that all members of a household receive public assistance for that household to be considered a public assistance household for SSI purposes.

Nationwide, SSA expects about 250,000 people already enrolled in SSI could get higher payments under this change, along with more than 100,000 people becoming newly eligible.

SSI provides monthly payments to eligible people with little income and resources to help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. For an SSI recipient affected by this rule, the increase could be more than $300 monthly, or $3,600 annually. Some households receiving increased SSI payments may see a decrease in their SNAP benefits.

This is one of three changes that went into effect on September 30 to update and simplify the SSI policy. These changes help more people access crucial SSI payments and reduce the burden on the public and agency staff. The changes also aim to provide a baseline level of financial support to those who need it most.

SSA is interested in collaborating with states to optimize support for these initiatives, ensuring swift and efficient service delivery to those who need it most, including evaluating opportunities for data sharing that would help SSA more efficiently administer this change. SSA and FNS are currently working to clarify data sharing for these purposes, and FNS will be in touch soon to provide clarification to states.

With your support, we can help our most vulnerable Americans meet their basic needs with dignity.