This past spring, Social Security loosened several barriers to accessing SSI payments. On Sept. 30, 2024, they went into effect.

First, the agency will no longer include food in its In-Kind Support and Maintenance (IMS) calculations. This removes a critical barrier for SSI eligibility due to an applicant’s or recipient’s receipt of informal food assistance from friends, family, and community networks of support.

Second, it has expanded its ISM rental subsidy exception that until now been available only for SSI applicants and recipients residing in seven states, including New York. This final rule provides that a “business arrangement” exists, such that the SSI applicant or recipient is not considered to be receiving ISM in the form of room or rent, when the amount of monthly required rent for the property equals or exceeds the presumed maximum value (PMV). (The above link breaks this down.)

This is “expected to offer about 41,000 people a bump of roughly $132 per month in benefits,” reports Disability Scoop.

And third, there is now an expanded definition of a Public Assistance Household, which should make more people qualified for SSI. See details at the link.