If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your monthly payment could be reduced if other people are helping to pay your housing and other living costs. The average monthly SSI benefit as of February 2026 is $735.91, with adults age 65 or older receiving an average of $610.07 per month.¹

The Social Security Administration (SSA), which runs the SSI program, uses income and resources to help determine eligibility for SSI. SSA defines income as “any item an individual receives in cash or in-kind that can be used to meet his or her need for food or shelter.”² So, when someone pays for your rent, mortgage, and/or utilities, you are receiving "in-kind support and maintenance" (ISM).

What is considered in-kind support for SSI?

SSA defines in-kind support and maintenance as "food, shelter, or both that somebody else provides for you." But it’s important to note that as of Sept. 30, 2024, SSA changed the rules for how food is treated under SSI. Informal help with food from friends, family, or community groups is no longer counted as ISM. This eliminated a major barrier to SSI benefits for many people.

Here are two fictional examples of in-kind support:

Example 1: Blanche is 72 and receives SSI benefits. She lives in a small apartment but struggles to afford groceries and utilities on her limited income. Blanche’s daughter, Barbara, lets Blanche move into her home and does not charge her for rent. 

Since Blanche is receiving free housing from her daughter, SSA considers this in-kind support and maintenance. As a result, Blanche’s SSI benefit may be reduced since some of her basic living needs are being provided by someone else.

Example 2: Edward is 68 and receives SSI. He lives by himself in a rented cottage, but his son Ronald pays his electric and heating bills to help him get by. Since Edward’s basic living expenses are being covered by someone else, SSA considers this in-kind support and maintenance, which may reduce the amount of SSI benefits he receives.

How does in-kind support affect my monthly SSI benefit?

ISM can reduce the full monthly federal benefit rate (FBR) by a maximum of one-third plus $20.³ The 2026 maximum monthly SSI benefit amount for an individual is $994 and $1,491 for an eligible person with an eligible spouse.⁴

SSI is only available to eligible adults age 65 and older and people of all ages with disabilities or blindness. (Most states add a cash supplement to federal SSI payment amounts. Read our story on SSI payments to learn more about benefits and other eligibility requirements.)

There are many facets to the SSI living arrangement rules. When you apply for benefits, an SSA representative will review your living situation and determine whether you’re receiving ISM.

How does SSA decide the value of in-kind support?

SSA uses two rules to determine the value of in-kind support:

1. The Value of the One-Third Reduction (VTR) Rule

Under the VTR rule, SSA will reduce your SSI payment by one-third if you live in another person's household throughout a month and others in your household pay for or provide you with all of your meals and your shelter expenses.⁵

For example: Dorothy is 70 and receives SSI. She lives in her daughter's home and does not pay rent or contribute to household bills. Since Dorothy lives in someone else's household and receives shelter from the people she lives with, SSA may apply the VTR rule to her SSI benefit.

“When the value of the one-third reduction (VTR) applies, it applies in full or not at all. When the VTR applies, no additional in-kind support and maintenance is countable,” according to the SSA’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS) VTR page.⁵

Under the VTR rule, a person eligible for the full FBR of $994 would receive $662.67 after the one-third deduction ($331.33) is subtracted. A couple eligible for the full FBR of $1,491 would receive $994 after the one-third deduction ($497).

2. The Presumed Maximum Value (PMV) Rule

The PMV rule is defined as "one-third of the SSI federal benefit rate plus $20 in situations where there is ISM, but the VTR does not apply." The SSA applies this rule when:³

• Either shelter or all meals are provided, but not both
• The person does not fit the definition of living in the household of another (e.g. because they are living in their own household)

For example: Mark is 68 and receives SSI. He lives alone in a rented cottage. His sister helps him by paying some of his rent each month. Since someone outside his household is helping pay for his shelter, SSA may count this help as ISM. Because Mark lives in his own home, SSA uses the PMV rule.

With the PMV rule, a person eligible for the full benefit of $994 would receive $642.67 after the one-third deduction and $20 ($351.33) are subtracted. A couple eligible for the FBR of $1,491 would receive $974 after the one-third deduction and $20 ($517) are subtracted.

These are simple illustrations of how VTR and PMV are calculated. They assume recipients are eligible for the full FBR. Actual SSI benefit calculations are much more complex and take many other factors into consideration.

What is not in-kind support?

As you can see, SSI living arrangement rules can have a big impact on the size of your monthly payment. It may be helpful to know that ISM does not apply when:²

• You live alone and pay for your own food and shelter.
• You live only with your spouse and minor children and nobody outside the household pays for your food and shelter.
• You live with other people and pay your share of the food and shelter expenses.

Food you may receive from public sources like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is not counted as ISM.⁴

Explore money-saving benefits programs

If you need help affording food and services like health care, medicine, and utilities, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org to find out if you’re eligible for SNAP and other programs. Our free, confidential tool helps connect older adults and people with disabilities to programs that may improve their quality of life. Just enter your ZIP code to get started.

Sources

1. Social Security Administration. Monthly Statistical Snapshot. February 2026. Found on the internet at https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/

2. Social Security Administration. Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Arrangements. 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm

3. Social Security Administration. Code of Federal Regulations. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Arrangements. 2025 Edition. Found on the internet at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-living-ussi.htm

4. Social Security Administration. You May Be Able to Get Supplemental Security Income. January 2026. Found on the internet at https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11069.pdf

5. Social Security Administration. Program Operations Manual System (POMS). The One-Third Reduction Provision. Found on the internet at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500835200