Navigating Government Benefits in the United States

This is an experimental interactive notebook designed to provide answers about government benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid by referring to trustworthy sources. The beauty of Google LM is that it provides links to the actual source used to answer your question, so you can double-check that the answer was correct. You will need to have a Google account in order to access it.

Sample question and answer:

Q. What changed in 2024?

A. The most significant change in 2024 mentioned in the sources is a major policy shift regarding how food assistance affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Additionally, the sources provide specific 2024 rates for income exclusions and savings account limits.

Removal of Food from ISM Calculations

Effective September 30, 2024, food is no longer included in In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations. Previously, the receipt of free food from someone inside or outside your household was counted as unearned income and could reduce your monthly SSI payment.

Under the new rules:

• The value of food provided by others no longer reduces your SSI payment.
• Social Security will not reduce payments if others in your household provide all your meals, or if people outside your household pay for your food.
• Shelter expenses (such as rent, mortgage, and utilities) still count toward ISM and can still result in a reduction of benefits. In 2024, this reduction for receiving in-kind support and maintenance could be as much as $334.33.

2024 Financial Limits and Exclusions

The sources also specify the following rates that were in effect during 2024:

• Student Earned Income Exclusion: For students under age 22, the 2024 exclusion was $2,290 per month, up to a maximum of $9,230.
• ABLE Account Contribution Limits:
  • The standard annual gift tax exclusion limit for ABLE account contributions was $18,000 in 2024.
  • Working beneficiaries could contribute an additional amount based on the 2023 Federal Poverty Level, which for 2024 was $ 14,580 in the continental U.S.,∗∗$ 18,210 in Alaska, and $16,770 in Hawaii.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The increase in SSI benefits for 2025 was determined by the change in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024.