Texans who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2026. The federal payment is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple, and Texas does not add any state supplement on top of that federal amount. What makes Texas different from many states is automatic Medicaid enrollment: if you qualify for SSI here, you generally do not need to file a separate Medicaid application.
This guide covers the 2026 income and resource limits, how Social Security counts your income, what happens with Medicaid, and the exact steps to apply in Texas.
What Is SSI and Who Administers It
SSI is a federal program run entirely by the Social Security Administration (SSA), not by the state of Texas. It pays monthly benefits to people who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability, and who have very limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI does not require a work history. It is funded by general tax revenue, not payroll taxes.
Because Texas has no state supplemental payment program, every SSI recipient in the state receives exactly the federal benefit rate, no more and no less. That puts Texas in the same category as several other states that decline to add a state supplement, which matters when comparing SSI payment amounts across state lines.
2026 Federal SSI Payment Amounts
Following the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment that took effect at the start of 2026, the federal benefit rate increased from 2025 levels.
| Recipient Status | 2026 Monthly Federal Benefit |
|---|
| Individual | $994 |
| Couple (both eligible) | $1,491 |
| Essential person | Reduced separately per SSA rules |
These are maximum amounts. Most recipients receive less than the full federal benefit rate because SSI is a needs-based program and any countable income you have reduces your monthly payment dollar for dollar, after certain exclusions.
Texas SSI Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for SSI in Texas, you must meet all of the following:
- Categorical requirement: Be age 65 or older, or meet SSA's definition of blind, or meet SSA's definition of disabled.
- Disability definition (if under 65 and not blind): Have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents substantial gainful activity (SGA) and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
- Income limit: Your countable income cannot exceed the federal benefit rate ($994 individual, $1,491 couple) after exclusions are applied.
- Resource limit: Countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
- Residency: You must live in Texas (or any U.S. state) and be a U.S. citizen or meet specific noncitizen eligibility categories.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits for 2026
If you are applying based on disability and are not yet 65, SSA checks whether your work activity counts as SGA. In 2026:
- Non-blind disabled individuals: $1,690 per month
- Blind individuals: $2,830 per month
Earning consistently above these amounts generally signals to SSA that you can support yourself through work, which can affect a disability determination.
How SSA Counts Your Income
SSI uses "countable income," not gross income. SSA applies these standard exclusions before comparing your income to the limit:
- $20 general income exclusion (applies to almost any income type, once per month)
- $65 earned income exclusion (applies only to wages or self-employment income)
- One-half of remaining earned income is then excluded
That formula lets working individuals earn more than the $994 federal benefit rate before their SSI payment reaches zero. For 2026, an individual with only earned income can generally earn up to approximately $2,073 per month before the SSI cash payment phases out completely. For a couple, that break-even point is around $3,067 per month.
Example Calculation
Say a Texas SSI recipient earns $965 in wages during a month and has no other income.
- Start with $965 in gross wages.
- Subtract $20 general exclusion: $945
- Subtract $65 earned income exclusion: $880
- Divide remaining amount in half: $440 counted as income
- SSI payment: $994 (federal benefit rate) minus $440 = $554
This person would receive $554 in SSI that month, plus their $965 in wages, for a combined income higher than the maximum SSI payment alone.
Resource (Asset) Limits
SSI counts resources you own, not just income. In 2026 the limits remain:
| Household | Resource Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $2,000 |
| Couple | $3,000 |
Resources that count include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and additional property beyond your primary home. Resources that generally do not count include your primary residence, one vehicle used for transportation, household goods, and a limited amount of burial funds or a burial plot.
SSI and Medicaid in Texas: Automatic Enrollment
This is one of the most important Texas-specific details for SSI applicants. Texas operates under what is called a Section 1634 agreement with SSA. Under this arrangement, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) does not make a separate Medicaid eligibility determination for most SSI recipients. If SSA approves your SSI application, you are generally automatically enrolled in Texas Medicaid without filing an additional application.
This matters because Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which leaves many low-income adults without children in a coverage gap. SSI recipients are one of the few groups in Texas who can access Medicaid regardless of that expansion gap, since eligibility flows through the disability determination rather than income-based expansion rules.
Working While on SSI and Keeping Medicaid: Section 1619(b)
If you start working and your earnings would otherwise end your SSI cash payment, you may still keep Medicaid coverage under Section 1619(b) as long as your gross earned income stays under the state threshold. For Texas in 2026, the 1619(b) threshold for individuals is approximately $53,165 in annual gross earnings. This provision exists specifically to prevent people from losing health coverage the moment they try to return to work.
How to Apply for SSI in Texas
You apply for SSI directly through the Social Security Administration, not through a Texas state agency. Here is the process:
- Gather documents. You will need proof of age (birth certificate), Social Security number, proof of income and resources, medical records or contact information for treating doctors (if applying based on disability or blindness), immigration documents (if applicable), and proof of living arrangement.
- Start the application. You can begin online at ssa.gov for many parts of the SSI application, though the full SSI application typically requires a phone or in-person interview.
- Call SSA to schedule an appointment. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to schedule your interview by phone or at a local Social Security office.
- Complete the interview. SSA will review your income, resources, living arrangement, and, if applicable, your medical condition.
- Wait for a decision. Non-disability SSI claims (based on age alone) are often decided faster. Disability-based claims go through medical review at the Texas Disability Determination Services office and can take several months.
- Respond to any requests. SSA may ask for additional records or schedule a consultative medical exam. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
- Receive your determination letter. If approved, the letter will state your monthly payment amount and effective date. If denied, you have 60 days to file an appeal.
Because SSI is federally administered, there is no separate "Texas SSI application" through YourTexasBenefits.com. That portal handles related programs like SNAP, TANF, and standard Medicaid applications, but SSI itself is filed only through SSA.
Appeals if Your Texas SSI Claim Is Denied
If SSA denies your SSI application, you have four levels of appeal, each with a 60-day window to file after receiving a denial notice:
- Reconsideration: A different SSA reviewer looks at your full file.
- Hearing: You appear before an Administrative Law Judge, often by phone or video for Texas claimants.
- Appeals Council review: The council can review the judge's decision.
- Federal court: You can file a civil action in U.S. District Court as a final step.
Many initial SSI disability claims are denied, so an appeal is common and often successful, particularly at the hearing stage where you can present additional medical evidence.
Related Texas Benefits Worth Checking
SSI recipients in Texas may also qualify for additional assistance, including SNAP (food benefits), the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for utility bill help, and Lifeline phone and internet discounts, since SSI status alone often satisfies the income requirement for these programs. You can review Texas-specific benefit programs at /states/tx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas pay a state supplement on top of federal SSI?
No. Texas is one of the states that does not provide a state supplementary payment. SSI recipients in Texas receive only the federal benefit rate: $994 for an individual and $1,491 for a couple in 2026.
Do I need to apply for Medicaid separately if I get SSI in Texas?
Generally no. Texas uses a Section 1634 agreement with SSA, which means approval for SSI typically triggers automatic Medicaid enrollment without a separate HHSC application.
What is the income limit for SSI in Texas in 2026?
Countable income cannot exceed $994 per month for an individual or $1,491 per month for a couple, after SSA applies the $20 general exclusion, the $65 earned income exclusion, and the one-half earned income disregard. Because of these exclusions, someone with only wages can earn up to roughly $2,073 per month as an individual before the SSI payment reaches zero.
Can I work while receiving SSI in Texas and keep Medicaid?
Yes, through Section 1619(b), which lets you keep Texas Medicaid coverage even after your SSI cash payment stops due to earnings, as long as your gross annual income stays under approximately $53,165 for an individual in 2026.
What is the asset limit for SSI in Texas?
The resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. This is a federal limit that applies in Texas and every other state. Your home and one vehicle generally do not count toward this limit.
How long does it take to get approved for SSI in Texas?
Age-based, non-disability claims are often processed within a few weeks to a couple of months. Disability-based claims that require medical review through Texas Disability Determination Services commonly take three to six months or longer, especially if an appeal is needed.
Where do I apply for SSI in Texas?
Apply through the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213, starting online at ssa.gov, or visiting a local Social Security field office. Texas state portals like YourTexasBenefits.com do not process SSI applications directly.
