2180. What is the Federal SSI payment amount?

Federal SSI benefits are paid at different rates depending on whether you have an eligible spouse and whether you have an "essential person" (see §2110):

1. If you do not have an eligible spouse - you are due the FBR of $674 per month in 2009, provided you have no countable income; or

2. If you are an eligible couple - You are due the FBR of $1,011 per month in 2009, provided you have no countable income.

Both of these rates are established in the Social Security Act, and are subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA's). The COLA increases the FBR effective in January based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Last Revised: Jan. 9, 2009