Two senators, a Democrat and Republican, have introduced a new bill that would update the resource limit for SSI eligibility.
Senators Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican, introduced the bill.
SSI helps provide assistance to disabled and very low income Americans.
There are resource limits that can disqualify a person, but they haven’t been updated since 1989.
Social Security: How to tell which benefits you can receive
Brown stated that it’s unfair for Americans to have savings they build for emergencies used against them when qualifying for SSI.
Who can get SSI?
There are requirements when applying for benefits.
You must bed 65 and older or blind and/or disabled.
You must have a limited income and resources.
How is SSI different than Social Security disability?
Those applying must be U.S. citizens or nationals.
What would change for SSI with the new bill?
The current asset limit for applicants is $2,000 individually and $3,000 for couples.
Under the new bill it would increase to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples.
Currently, eligible people are receiving up to $841 per month, and couples see as much as $1,261.
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