Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Virginia follows the same federal income rules used nationwide, since Virginia does not add a state supplement for SSI recipients living independently. In 2026, the federal benefit rate is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 a month for a couple, and your SSI payment shrinks as your countable income rises until it hits zero at roughly $2,073 a month in wages or about $1,014 a month in unearned income for an individual. Virginia's only state add-on is the Auxiliary Grant, a separate payment for people in licensed assisted living facilities or approved adult foster care homes.
This guide breaks down exactly how SSI income limits work in Virginia, what counts as income, resource limits, and how to apply.
What Is SSI and Who Runs It in Virginia
SSI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that pays monthly benefits to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is not based on work history or payroll taxes. It is funded from general tax revenue and is needs-based.
Virginia is one of a handful of states where the SSA itself administers SSI directly, without a separate state supplement paid to people living in their own homes or with family. That means most Virginia SSI recipients receive exactly the federal benefit rate, unless they live in a licensed assisted living facility or adult foster care home and qualify for the state's Auxiliary Grant program.
2026 Federal Benefit Rate (FBR)
The Social Security Administration applied a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, raising the maximum federal SSI payment from $967 to $994 a month for individuals.
| Household Type | 2025 Monthly Maximum | 2026 Monthly Maximum |
|---|
| Individual | $967 | $994 |
| Couple (both eligible) | $1,450 | $1,491 |
These are the maximum amounts. Your actual payment is the maximum minus your countable income.
How SSI Income Limits Actually Work
SSI does not use a single fixed "income limit" the way SNAP or Medicaid do. Instead, SSA subtracts your countable income from the federal benefit rate to determine your monthly payment. Once your countable income equals or exceeds the FBR, your SSI payment reaches zero.
Unearned income (Social Security retirement or disability benefits, pensions, unemployment, child support, cash gifts) reduces your SSI dollar for dollar after a $20 general income exclusion. That means an individual's SSI reaches zero at about $1,014 a month in unearned income.
Earned income (wages, net self-employment earnings) is treated more favorably. SSA excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings (plus the $20 general exclusion if not already used), then counts only half of what remains. Because of this generous exclusion, an individual's SSI does not zero out until roughly $2,073 a month in gross wages.
| Income Type | Individual: SSI Reaches $0 At | Couple: SSI Reaches $0 At |
|---|
| Unearned income only | approximately $1,014/month | approximately $1,511/month |
| Earned income only | approximately $2,073/month | approximately $3,067/month |
Income That Does NOT Count Toward the Limit
SSA excludes several types of income and support when calculating countable income:
- The first $20 of most income each month (general exclusion)
- The first $65 of earned income, plus half of the remainder
- SNAP (food stamp) benefits
- Home energy assistance (LIHEAP) in most cases
- Income tax refunds, including Earned Income Tax Credit payments
- Most home-produced food for personal consumption
- Loans that must be repaid
- A limited amount of infrequent or irregular income
Resource (Asset) Limits
Beyond income, SSI applicants must stay under strict resource limits. In 2026, these remain:
| Household Type | Resource Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $2,000 |
| Couple | $3,000 |
Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your primary home and one vehicle are generally excluded, along with household goods and personal effects, burial plots, and up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses per person.
Virginia's Auxiliary Grant: The State's SSI Supplement
Virginia does not pay a general state supplement to SSI recipients who live independently or with family. Instead, Virginia offers the Auxiliary Grant (AG), a separate income supplement limited to SSI recipients and other eligible aged, blind, or disabled individuals who live in a licensed assisted living facility (ALF) or an approved adult foster care (AFC) home.
Key facts about the Auxiliary Grant:
- It is administered locally by city and county Departments of Social Services and coordinated through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
- The program is funded 80 percent by the state and 20 percent by localities.
- As of mid-2025, the maximum combined monthly rate for room and board at a licensed ALF or approved AFC home is approximately $2,500, with a possible 15 percent add-on in certain higher-cost planning districts.
- Applicants generally must have lived in Virginia for at least 90 days, though this residency requirement is waived if you are moving to Virginia to live with a close relative who already meets it.
- The AG payment covers the gap between the recipient's own income (including their SSI check) and the facility's approved rate.
If you or a family member receive SSI and live in an assisted living facility or adult foster care home in Virginia, contact your local Department of Social Services to apply for the Auxiliary Grant in addition to your federal SSI payment.
How to Apply for SSI in Virginia
You can apply for SSI through any of these methods:
- Online: Start your application at ssa.gov. For SSI specifically, the online tool lets you begin the process, but SSA typically follows up by phone or in person to finish the interview.
- By phone: Call the national SSA hotline at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to schedule an appointment.
- In person: Visit a local Social Security field office. Virginia has roughly three dozen field offices statewide. Many offices require an appointment, so call ahead before visiting.
Documents You'll Need
- Social Security number and birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status
- Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters)
- Bank statements and proof of other resources
- Proof of living arrangement (lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill)
- Medical records and contact information for doctors, if applying based on disability or blindness
- Work history, if applicable
What Happens After You Apply
SSA will review your application for the non-medical requirements (income, resources, residency, citizenship) and, if you're applying based on disability, will also route your case to the Disability Determination Services office in Virginia to evaluate medical eligibility. Processing typically takes three to five months for disability-based claims, though it can be faster for applicants who are 65 or older, since age does not require medical review.
SSI and Medicaid in Virginia
Most SSI recipients in Virginia automatically qualify for Medicaid because Virginia is a "1634 state," meaning SSI eligibility generally triggers automatic Medicaid enrollment without a separate application. If you're approved for SSI, check with your local Department of Social Services to confirm your Medicaid coverage has started. Learn more about Medicaid eligibility rules on our Virginia benefits page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SSI income limit in Virginia for 2026?
There isn't a single flat income limit. Instead, SSA reduces your SSI payment from the $994 monthly maximum (individual) based on your countable income. An individual's SSI phases out completely at about $1,014 a month in unearned income or about $2,073 a month in earned wages, after standard exclusions.
Does Virginia pay a state supplement to SSI recipients?
Not for people living independently or with family. Virginia's only SSI-related state payment is the Auxiliary Grant, which is restricted to SSI recipients and other eligible aged, blind, or disabled individuals living in a licensed assisted living facility or approved adult foster care home.
How much is the maximum SSI payment in Virginia in 2026?
The federal maximum is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 a month for a couple where both spouses qualify. Since Virginia doesn't add a general supplement, most recipients receive the federal amount minus any countable income.
Can I work and still receive SSI in Virginia?
Yes. SSA excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings plus the $20 general exclusion, then counts only half of the remaining wages. This means you can earn a meaningful amount and still receive a reduced SSI payment, up to roughly $2,073 a month in gross wages for an individual before benefits reach zero.
What resources can I have and still qualify for SSI?
The resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, and a limited burial fund typically don't count toward this limit.
Does receiving SSDI affect my SSI eligibility in Virginia?
Yes. SSDI payments count as unearned income for SSI purposes, reducing your SSI payment dollar for dollar after the $20 general exclusion. Many people receive both SSDI and a reduced SSI payment if their SSDI amount is low.
How do I apply for the Virginia Auxiliary Grant?
Contact the Department of Social Services in the city or county where you live, or where the assisted living facility or adult foster care home is located. You generally must already be assessed as needing that level of care and meet Virginia's 90-day residency requirement, unless you're moving to join a close relative who already meets it.
