Social Security Shares Update on Benefit Access

The Social Security Administration has announced it is simplifying access to one of its benefit programs later this year.

The government agency said on March 27 that as of September, it would no longer include food in In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations, lowering the reporting burden and removing a "critical barrier" for those who apply for or currently claim Supplemental Security Income.

SSI is a federal government benefit that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness and to adults aged 65 and older. Often, these payments are intended to boost the income of those who claim Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance payments that may fall short of providing for basic needs. In January 2023, 7.4 million individuals received monthly SSI payments averaging $654, the SSA reported last year.

In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculates the amount of informal food assistance an SSI applicant or claimant received from friends, family and community support networks.

In a statement previously sent to Newsweek, the agency said: "People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits. Under our old rules, ISM includes food, shelter, or both a person receives—the agency counts ISM as unearned income, which may affect a person's eligibility or reduce their payment amount."

In its announcement, the SSA said the change meant applicants and recipients would need to report less information to the government agency, and that it would reduce month-to-month variability in payment amounts and payment errors.

The SSA also said the removal of In-Kind Support and Maintenance would be a cost-saving point, as "less time will be spent administering food ISM." The changes are set to come into effect on September 30.

The SSA added that the changes were the "first of several updates" on the way for SSI regulations. A timeline for further announcements has not been given. Newsweek has contacted the agency for comment via email outside normal working hours.

"A vital part of our mission is helping people access crucial benefits, including SSI," Martin O'Malley, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, said in the announcement. "Simplifying our policies is a common-sense solution that reduces the burden on the public and agency staff and helps promote equity by removing barriers to accessing payments."

Most SSI applicants apply on the basis of being blind or disabled, with 1.23 million applications made throughout 2022, the SSA report said. The agency added that 7.5 million people received SSI benefits in the same year.