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  What is a "resource" in the SSI program?
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  What is a "resource" in the SSI program?
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Resources are the things you own such as cash, real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, stocks and bonds that you can use for your support.

To be eligible for SSI a person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. A married couple must have $3,000 or less in countable resources. If you own resources over the SSI limit, you may be able to get SSI benefits while trying to sell the resources.

Not all of your resources count toward the SSI resource limit. For example:

  • the home you live in and the land it's on do not count.
  • your personal effects and household goods do not count.
  • life insurance policies may not count, depending on their value. 
  • your car usually does not count.
  • burial plots for you and members of your immediate family do not count.
  • up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse may not count.
  • if you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you plan to use them to work or earn extra income.

You may also wish to read our material on "resources" in the booklet, "Understanding SSI" and in the SSI Spotlight on this subject.



 
 
 
  
 
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