California’s SSI Benefits Cover Only 22.2% of Living Expenses – See Where Your State Stands
According to Lagrada online, Social Security is widely recognized for its retirement benefits, but it also provides disability benefits through two key programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you qualify for SSI, there’s good news this month, as the financial benefits you receive may be higher depending on where you live.
States with the Highest Disability Benefit Checks This Month
SSI offers monthly payments to adults and children who are blind or disabled and have limited financial resources. Additionally, individuals over the age of 65 who meet the income criteria can receive SSI, regardless of disability status. Importantly, even if you already receive Social Security retirement or SSDI benefits, you may still be eligible for SSI.
To receive SSDI, working Americans must meet the following conditions as per the Social Security Administration (SSA):
- Employment History: You must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.
- Disability Qualification: You must have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of a disability.
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SSDI benefits are typically granted to individuals unable to work for at least a year due to a disability. Benefits often continue until a recipient can return to work, and there are work incentives like healthcare coverage to help ease the transition back to employment.
States Where Disability Benefits May Not Cover Living Expenses
While disability benefits are generally the same across the U.S., the cost of living varies from state to state. This means that your benefit check may stretch further in certain areas. According to Kiplinger and data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, the cost of living in some regions is up to three times higher than what the average SSDI recipient earns. For instance, in high-cost states, your benefits might not cover essential living expenses as effectively as they would in more affordable regions.
Kiplinger analyzed SSDI payments in relation to the median income in various states, revealing which states offer the best and worst value. Wyoming tops the list, where SSDI payments cover about 52% of living expenses, while Washington, D.C. ranks at the bottom, where SSDI covers only 30%.
Top 10 States Where SSI Benefits Go the Furthest
These are the states where SSI benefits cover the largest percentage of living expenses:
- South Dakota: 32.7%
- Wyoming: 31.8%
- North Dakota: 31.6%
- Tennessee: 31.4%
- West Virginia: 31.4%
- Kentucky: 31.4%
- Arkansas: 31.2%
- Ohio: 31.1%
- Mississippi: 31.0%
- Oklahoma: 30.8%
Conversely, the following states offer the lowest percentage of living expenses covered by SSI benefits:
- New York: 21.1%
- Hawaii: 22.1%
- Massachusetts: 22.2%
- California: 22.2%
- New Jersey: 23.6%
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Regular Disability Benefit Payment Amounts
Both SSI and SSDI programs offer varying benefit amounts based on factors such as:
- Your monthly income and financial resources.
- The type of disability you have.
- Your Social Security contributions before becoming disabled.
To determine the exact payment you’re eligible to receive, consult the SSA guidelines or review your benefit statement.
| Social Security payments | Disability benefits | SSI benefits |
|---|---|---|
| On average | $1,537 | $698 |
| Other payments | Blind recipients: $2,590 | Individuals: $943 |
| Maximum payment: $3,822 | Couples: $1,415 | |
| Essential person: $472 |
