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We consider a person “blind” if they have vision no better
than 20/200 or a limited visual eld of 20 degrees or
less in the better eye with the use of a lens. A person
whose sight isn’t poor enough to be “blind” may still be
considered to have a qualifying disability.
What is income?
SSI considers “income” anything a person receives that
can be used for food or shelter. Income includes but isn’t
limited to cash, checks, and “gift” items received, such as
food and shelter.
SSI divides income into 2 categories — earned and
unearned. “Earned income” includes wages, net earnings
from self-employment, certain royalties and honoraria,
and money from sheltered workshops. “Unearned income”
includes Social Security benets, workers’ compensation,
certain veterans’ compensation or pension payments,
unemployment, pensions, support and maintenance in
kind, annuities, rent, and other income that isn’t earned.
In 2024, a person must have less than $963 a month in
unearned income to receive SSI. A couple can get SSI if
they have unearned income of less than $1,435 a month
in 2024.
Because a larger portion of earned income isn’t counted,
a person who gets SSI can earn up to $1,971 a month
($2,915 for a couple) and still get SSI.
Although we encourage people who already receive SSI
to work, people who work while applying for SSI based
on a qualifying disability can’t make as much in earned
income. That’s because their ability to work affects our
disability decision. In 2024, a person applying for SSI
disability payments who isn’t blind, and who works and
earns more than $1,550 a month, probably won’t be able