A little-known change proposed by the current administration could dramatically affect nearly 400,000 elderly and disabled Americans.
The adjustment targets the “family” rule in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program—specifically how in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) and SNAP participation are treated. Here’s a full, updated breakdown of what’s at stake and why it matters.
What’s Changing and Who Is Affected
Currently, SSI rules allow individuals to receive informal help—like food or housing—from family or friends without penalty, provided the household qualifies as a Public Assistance (PA) household, including SNAP participation.
The proposed overhaul would remove SNAP from that qualifying list, causing many recipients to face benefit reductions or disqualification.
| Current Rule | Proposed Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP counts for PA household status | SNAP no longer qualifies | 275,000 may lose $300/month |
| ISM cap applies only in PA households | Broader ISM penalties applied | Over 100,000 may lose eligibility |
| Benefits may be reduced by ~$300/mo | Continued full benefit if in PA household | Financial hardship and institutional risk |
Detailed Impacts
Up to 400,000 People at Risk
- Approximately 275,000 current SSI recipients in SNAP households could see their monthly benefit cut by up to one-third — about $300.
- An additional 100,000+ individuals could become ineligible for SSI entirely, as their household would no longer qualify for the PA exemption.
Reduced Benefits, Reduced Support
Removing SNAP as a qualifying public assistance program means SSI recipients might face significant financial hardship—even though SNAP households typically fall well below the poverty line and already balance limited resources.
Chilling Effect on Family Support
Families may be deterred from providing assistance like sharing meals or housing, fearing that it could jeopardize their loved ones’ SSI eligibility or benefits.
System Burdens
This rule change would likely require SSA staff to reevaluate eligibility and in-kind support, increasing administrative workload already strained by limited resources.
Wider Implications
- Institutional Care Risks: Without SSI support, seniors and disabled individuals may be forced into costly institutional care.
- Homelessness Concerns: The loss of income could push vulnerable individuals toward housing instability.
- Contrasts Ongoing Reforms: Just months ago, SSA implemented reforms to simplify ISM rules, such as removing food from ISM calculations and expanding PA household definitions—changes that actually benefited recipients.
The proposed SSI “family rule” revision stands to severely disrupt the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of low-income seniors and disabled Americans.
Stripping SNAP out of the PA household definition reverses recent efforts to protect vulnerable populations—potentially cutting monthly benefits by hundreds of dollars or simply ending eligibility.
Amid ongoing transparency and equity initiatives, this policy turn risks inflicting financial hardship and undermining support systems. Monitoring this change—and advocating against it—will be crucial for those it threatens most.
FAQs
Who would be affected by this rule change?
About 275,000 SSI beneficiaries in SNAP-receiving households may see reduced benefits, and over 100,000 could lose eligibility entirely.
How much could someone’s SSI benefit be reduced?
Monthly payments could be cut by up to one-third, amounting to roughly $300 less per month.
Why is this change being proposed now?
The proposed revision aims to tighten SSI eligibility by narrowing the definition of supportive household exemptions—specifically by excluding SNAP from qualifying programs.