Social Security update: “Family” rule change may reduce payments for nearly 400,000 seniors
- Replies 3
Some government rule changes can quietly change lives in very big ways. This time, a proposed shift in how certain benefits are calculated could mean major cuts for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Supplemental Security Income may be the most affected.
While the rule is still under discussion, the details are already sparking concern among advocacy groups and families alike.
The Social Security Administration is considering a change that would alter how help from family and friends is treated when calculating SSI benefits.
If passed, the rule could reduce monthly checks by up to one-third, or roughly $300, for people receiving “in-kind support and maintenance.”
This kind of assistance can take many forms, ranging from sharing a roof with a relative to relying on someone else to cover essential day-to-day costs that keep life moving.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, around 400,000 recipients could see benefits shrink or vanish altogether.
A significant portion of the individuals who find themselves in this position are already part of households that juggle tight budgets and face ongoing financial pressures from multiple directions.
Under current rules, households receiving public assistance—such as benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—are exempt from these reductions.
This is largely due to the fact that qualifying for SNAP is a clear indicator that the household in question is already operating under constraints that make it difficult, if not impossible, to fully support the person receiving the aid.
The proposed rule would remove SNAP participation as a qualifying factor, opening the door for reduced benefits even when household income is far below the poverty line.
Also read: After public pushback, Social Security revises its latest plan
The SSA has stated that the change is intended to simplify benefit calculations and tighten eligibility standards.
However, critics argue that it punishes families for providing shelter or assistance to their elderly or disabled relatives.
An SSA analysis from 2024 estimated that over 275,000 people could see reduced benefits, while more than 100,000 could lose eligibility entirely.
Advocacy groups warn this could lead to higher rates of homelessness or forced moves into institutional care.
Also read: Lawmakers push to safeguard Social Security as funding concerns grow
For some households, these proposed changes could create impossible choices. Families might hesitate to offer housing or financial help if it risks cutting off a loved one’s only source of income.
Seniors or disabled individuals might feel pressured to live alone or refuse assistance to keep their benefits intact.
With maximum SSI benefits at $967 for individuals in 2025, even small reductions can significantly impact someone’s ability to meet basic needs.
Read next: A new Social Security plan is brewing in Congress—could it mean bigger benefits for you?
What do you think—should SNAP participation still count as proof that a household can’t financially support someone on SSI? Share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you or someone you know could be affected by these changes.
Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Supplemental Security Income may be the most affected.
While the rule is still under discussion, the details are already sparking concern among advocacy groups and families alike.
The Social Security Administration is considering a change that would alter how help from family and friends is treated when calculating SSI benefits.
If passed, the rule could reduce monthly checks by up to one-third, or roughly $300, for people receiving “in-kind support and maintenance.”
This kind of assistance can take many forms, ranging from sharing a roof with a relative to relying on someone else to cover essential day-to-day costs that keep life moving.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, around 400,000 recipients could see benefits shrink or vanish altogether.
“Family” rule change may reduce payments for nearly 400,000 seniors. Image source: Jun Weng / Unsplash
A significant portion of the individuals who find themselves in this position are already part of households that juggle tight budgets and face ongoing financial pressures from multiple directions.
Under current rules, households receiving public assistance—such as benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—are exempt from these reductions.
This is largely due to the fact that qualifying for SNAP is a clear indicator that the household in question is already operating under constraints that make it difficult, if not impossible, to fully support the person receiving the aid.
The proposed rule would remove SNAP participation as a qualifying factor, opening the door for reduced benefits even when household income is far below the poverty line.
Also read: After public pushback, Social Security revises its latest plan
The SSA has stated that the change is intended to simplify benefit calculations and tighten eligibility standards.
However, critics argue that it punishes families for providing shelter or assistance to their elderly or disabled relatives.
An SSA analysis from 2024 estimated that over 275,000 people could see reduced benefits, while more than 100,000 could lose eligibility entirely.
Advocacy groups warn this could lead to higher rates of homelessness or forced moves into institutional care.
Also read: Lawmakers push to safeguard Social Security as funding concerns grow
For some households, these proposed changes could create impossible choices. Families might hesitate to offer housing or financial help if it risks cutting off a loved one’s only source of income.
Seniors or disabled individuals might feel pressured to live alone or refuse assistance to keep their benefits intact.
With maximum SSI benefits at $967 for individuals in 2025, even small reductions can significantly impact someone’s ability to meet basic needs.
Read next: A new Social Security plan is brewing in Congress—could it mean bigger benefits for you?
