Basic Federal SSI Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SSI in any state, including Virginia, you must meet the following federal criteria:

• Age or Disability Status:
• Be age 65 or older, or
• Be blind, or
• Have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that:
• Prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA)
• Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death
• U.S. Residency:
• Be a U.S. citizen or qualifying lawful resident
• Reside in the United States, including Virginia
• Income Limits:
• Your countable income must be below the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR)
• For 2025, the federal limit is $943/month for individuals and $1,415/month for couples (subject to change annually)
• Certain income sources—like a portion of earned income or food stamps—may be excluded from calculations
• Resource Limits:
• You must have less than $2,000 in countable assets as an individual, or $3,000 as a couple
• Some assets—such as your primary home, vehicle, and personal items—are not counted

Virginia-Specific Considerations for SSI

• State Supplement:
  Virginia may offer a state supplement to SSI recipients in certain situations—particularly those living in assisted living or adult care facilities.
• Automatic Medicaid Enrollment:
  In Virginia, SSI approval automatically qualifies you for Medicaid, which provides healthcare coverage. You don’t need to file a separate Medicaid application.
• Living Arrangements and Payments:
  Your living situation (e.g., whether you live alone, with others, or in a care facility) can affect how much SSI you receive.

Who Typically Qualifies for SSI in Virginia?

SSI is designed for people in need. You may be eligible if:

• You’re disabled or blind and haven’t worked long enough to qualify for SSDI
• You’re over 65 and have low income/resources
• You receive public assistance or live in subsidized housing
• You have no or very limited income from work

What Can Disqualify You?

Even if you meet the disability criteria, you can be denied SSI if:

• You exceed the income/resource limits
• You fail to provide documentation or medical evidence
• You are incarcerated or live outside the U.S. for over 30 days
• You refuse to apply for other benefits you might be eligible for (like pensions or SSDI)