If you live in Delaware and want Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2026, your countable income generally has to stay below $994 per month as an individual or $1,491 per month as a couple, and your countable resources must stay under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Those income figures match the 2026 federal benefit rate, which rose 2.8% under this year's cost-of-living adjustment. Delaware uses the federal SSI rules, so the same limits apply whether you live in Wilmington, Dover, or Newark, with only small differences for certain living situations.
Below you will find the exact 2026 income and resource limits, how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides what actually counts against you, the work rules that let you keep some of your earnings, and the steps to apply from anywhere in Delaware.
The 2026 SSI Federal Benefit Rate
SSI is a federal program run by the SSA for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very limited income and resources. The maximum monthly payment is called the federal benefit rate (FBR). For 2026, after the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment that took effect on December 31, 2025, the rates are:
| Recipient | 2025 FBR | 2026 FBR | Monthly increase |
|---|
| Individual | $967 | $994 | +$27 |
| Eligible couple | $1,450 | $1,491 | +$41 |
| Essential person | $484 | $497 | +$13 |
The FBR does two jobs. It sets the most you can receive, and it sets the ceiling on your countable income. If your countable income reaches the FBR, your SSI payment drops to zero.
Delaware does not add a broad state supplement for people who live on their own, so most Delaware recipients receive the federal amount. A limited state supplement exists for certain living arrangements, such as some residential or care settings, and is added automatically by the SSA when it applies to your case. If you think a supplement should apply, ask your local Social Security office to review your living arrangement.
2026 Income Limits in Delaware
The tricky part of SSI is that not all income counts, and earned income counts differently from unearned income. The limits below are the point at which your payment reaches zero, based on the type of income you receive.
| Income type | Individual monthly limit | Couple monthly limit |
|---|
| Unearned income only (Social Security, pension, etc.) | $1,014 | $1,511 |
| Earned income only (wages) | $2,073 | $3,067 |
These numbers are higher than the $994 FBR because the SSA excludes part of your income before counting it. The unearned income limit is $20 above the FBR because of the general income exclusion. The earned income limit is much higher because the SSA ignores more than half of what you earn from work.
What counts as income
Unearned income includes Social Security benefits (including SSDI), pensions, unemployment, veterans benefits, interest, and cash gifts. Earned income is wages and net self-employment earnings. The SSA also counts some "in-kind support," such as free food or housing someone provides, which can lower your payment.
What does not count
The SSA excludes several things before it decides your payment. The main exclusions in 2026 are:
- The first $20 of most income each month (general income exclusion)
- The first $65 of earned income each month, plus half of the rest (earned income exclusion)
- Income tax refunds
- SNAP (food benefits) and most other need-based assistance
- The first $30 per quarter of irregular or infrequent income
How the SSA Calculates Your Payment
The SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate. Whatever is left is your monthly SSI check. Two examples for a Delaware individual in 2026 show how this works.
Example 1: Unearned income only. You receive $700 per month from SSDI and have no earnings.
- $700 unearned income minus the $20 general exclusion = $680 countable
- $994 FBR minus $680 = $314 SSI payment
Example 2: Earned income only. You earn $1,000 per month from a part-time job.
- $1,000 minus the $20 general exclusion minus the $65 earned income exclusion = $915
- Half of $915 = $457.50 countable
- $994 FBR minus $457.50 = $536.50 SSI payment
Because only about half of your wages count, working almost always leaves you with more total money than SSI alone, even though your check gets smaller.
2026 Resource (Asset) Limits
Resources are things you own that could be turned into cash. The limits are set by law and have not changed in decades, so they are the same in 2026 as before.
| Household | Resource limit |
|---|
| Individual | $2,000 |
| Couple | $3,000 |
Resources that count: cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property other than your home.
Resources that do NOT count:
- The home you live in and the land it sits on
- One vehicle used for transportation
- Household goods and personal belongings
- Burial plots for you and immediate family
- Up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses
- Money in an ABLE account (up to program limits)
A Delaware ABLE account (available through the DEPENDABLE program for people whose disability began before age 26) lets you save above the $2,000 limit without losing SSI, as long as the balance stays under the allowed threshold.
Work Rules and Earnings Limits
The SSA wants people on SSI to be able to work without immediately losing benefits. Several 2026 figures matter here.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): $1,690 per month for non-blind applicants. At the application stage, earning more than this can make you ineligible before your income is even calculated. Once you are approved, the countable income rules above apply instead.
- Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): If you are under 22 and regularly attending school, you can exclude up to $2,410 of earnings per month in 2026, up to $9,730 for the year. This is on top of the regular exclusions.
- Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): Lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal, such as school or starting a business, without those funds counting against you.
These work incentives mean a Delaware resident can hold a part-time job, keep a reduced SSI check, and stay enrolled in Medicaid.
SSI and Delaware Medicaid
In Delaware, being approved for SSI generally means automatic eligibility for Delaware Medicaid. You do not have to file a separate Medicaid application in most cases, because Delaware is an SSI-criteria state that ties Medicaid to SSI approval. This is one of the biggest reasons to apply, since the health coverage can be worth more than the cash payment. Learn more about state programs on our Delaware benefits page.
How to Apply for SSI in Delaware
You can start an SSI application in several ways:
- Online. Begin at ssa.gov/apply/ssi. You can complete part of the adult application online and finish the rest by phone.
- By phone. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to start an application or schedule an appointment.
- In person. Visit a Delaware Social Security office. Delaware has no office inside Wilmington itself; the nearest one is in New Castle at 920 W Basin Road, Suite 200. There are also offices serving Dover and Georgetown. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
For disability-based claims, Delaware's Disability Determination Services (part of the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) reviews the medical evidence and decides whether your condition meets the SSA definition of disability.
Documents to gather
- Social Security number and proof of age (birth certificate)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Bank statements and records of all income and resources
- Names, addresses, and dates for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics
- A list of medications and medical conditions
- Work history for the past 15 years (for disability claims)
Having these ready speeds up the process. Disability decisions can take several months, so apply as soon as you believe you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum SSI payment in Delaware for 2026?
The maximum federal SSI payment is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple in 2026. Delaware does not add a general state supplement for people living independently, so most Delaware recipients receive the federal amount. A limited supplement may apply to certain living arrangements.
How much income can I have and still get SSI in Delaware?
If your income is only unearned (like Social Security or a pension), you can generally have up to $1,014 per month as an individual before your SSI reaches zero. If your income is only from work, the limit is about $2,073 per month, because the SSA excludes more than half of earned income.
Does Delaware pay a state supplement on top of federal SSI?
Delaware provides only a limited state supplement tied to specific living arrangements, such as some residential care settings. Most recipients who live on their own receive only the federal benefit rate. Any supplement that applies is added automatically by the SSA.
Do the resource limits change in 2026?
No. The SSI resource limits are set by statute at $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. They do not rise with the annual cost-of-living adjustment and have not changed in many years.
Will getting SSI qualify me for Medicaid in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware ties Medicaid eligibility to SSI approval, so being approved for SSI generally makes you eligible for Delaware Medicaid automatically, usually without a separate application.
Can I work and still receive SSI in Delaware?
Yes. The SSA excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of the rest, so working reduces your check by less than you earn. Students under 22 can exclude even more through the Student Earned Income Exclusion, up to $2,410 per month in 2026.
Where do I apply for SSI in Delaware?
Apply online at ssa.gov/apply/ssi, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Delaware Social Security office. The nearest office to Wilmington is in New Castle at 920 W Basin Road, Suite 200, with additional offices serving Dover and Georgetown.
