The Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented a rule that will eliminate food from the In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations when determining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and payment amounts. Effective September 30, 2024, this change is designed to make the SSI process less burdensome for beneficiaries and the SSA itself. The new rule removes food support* from the definition of “unearned income” that could reduce SSI payments or disqualify individuals from receiving benefits. This adjustment is part of a broader effort by the SSA to simplify its regulations and remove barriers to accessing payments.
*Food support is defined as help from your social network and food pantries. Before this change, a person had to calculate the food they got as unearned income which would then be factored into how much SSI recipients could receive.
Strengths and Limitations of the Policy
The SSA’s new rule reflects a positive shift toward making SSI more accessible and equitable for recipients, particularly those with disabilities. Several benefits emerge from this change:
While this rule marks a significant step forward, there are several areas where further reforms are needed.
Remaining Issues and Future Adjustments Needed
Although this change removes one specific barrier, it does not address the structural limitations of SSI that continue to impact people with disabilities and low-income individuals:
The Road Ahead
The SSA’s decision to omit food from ISM calculations is a significant policy advancement that simplifies access to SSI benefits and reduces financial penalties for informal food assistance. However, this rule change alone is not enough to address the broader systemic issues facing SSI recipients, particularly individuals with disabilities. To truly improve the economic well-being of SSI beneficiaries, further adjustments—such as increasing asset and income limits, revising shelter ISM calculations, and recalibrating cost-of-living adjustments—are needed. By tackling these remaining challenges, policymakers can ensure that SSI becomes a more effective and humane safety net for the millions of Americans who rely on it.