The Social Security Administration is the government body in the United States that provides and manages retirement, survivorship, and disability benefits. Every month, millions of retirees get checks from Social Security.
The SSA stated that between 2023 and 2024, more than 100,000 people will not be able to get Supplemental Security Income. This is not all good news for beneficiaries. The goal of this financial program is to help people with low incomes, disabilities, or the old pay for their daily needs and, in some cases, get out of poverty.
In the past few years, SSI has been a lifesaver for many people, making sure they can meet their basic needs. Find out which states were affected by this and why some states were left out.
The elimination of more than 100,000 beneficiaries, including retirees, has raised concerns in the US
A lot of people are worried and confused about why 100,000 SSI users, some of whom are low-income retirees, were taken off the program. The SSA hasn’t said what the exact reason was for the move. However, some analysts think it might have something to do with a stricter review of the standards for eligibility.
The SSA could make new rules to make sure that people who are eligible for SSI payments are the only ones who get them. In 2024, the need to check and update information about beneficiaries may have been a big factor. This checking, which makes sure that resources are shared fairly and effectively, could include proof of where someone lives, how much money they make, and their health.
The effects on beneficiaries are serious and have been talked about in public, even though these steps may seem like they are needed for administrative reasons. It’s even scarier that this change hurt elderly and disabled people the most, since they are the most vulnerable members of the American Social Security system. Also, news sources say that many of the people affected had been depending on these benefits for years, and their sudden termination has caused them to have a lot of financial problems.
Many of these recipients—many of whom live in places like Boston where it’s easier to walk—have said they are worried and unsure about how they will spend their money without SSI help. The issue is also worse because SSA hasn’t been clear in communicating.
A lot of beneficiaries did not get the right information about the changes to the standards or the way to make an appeal. Because of this, people need legal and community help right away to get through this difficult process, which has made many people feel powerless.
States with the greatest number of SSI withdrawals in 2024
When SSI recipients were taken away, inequality in the US rose, especially for retirees who depended on these payments as their only source of income. Different states have been affected by this in very different ways. This means that the following states have the most eliminations:
- California leads the list with the most removals, reflecting its large population and high cost of living.
- Texas has also been significantly affected, with a large number of people removed from the program.
- New York is another state with a large population and high cost of living that has had a significant number of people terminated.
- Communities in places like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston have been severely impacted by the elimination of benefits. Local groups have seen an increase in the need for social and support services as a result.
What is the average monthly income for beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries of Social Security get different amounts of money depending on when they became eligible and other factors such as their full retirement age, work experience, contributions, and type of disability. This is especially true for people who are enrolled in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
Seniors will get an average of $1,900, widows will get $1,505, disabled people will get $1,537, and people on SSI will get up to $698. However, these are just the average monthly payments; Social Security users can get other maximum checks as well. In the table below, you can see how much each program will get paid this year:
| Social Security checks | Retirees benefits | Survivors benefits | Disability benefits | SSI benefits |
| On average | $1,900 | $1,505 | $1,537 | $698 |
| Other payments | Age 62: $2,710
Age 67: $3,822 Age 70: $4,873 |
Individual: $1,773
2 children: $3,653 |
Blind recipients: $2,590
Maximum payment: $3,822 |
Individuals: $943
Couples: $1,415 Essential person: $472 |