Can You Get SSI and Child Support at the Same Time?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and child support are distinct financial supports designed to assist individuals and families, yet their interaction can be complex. SSI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides monthly cash payments to individuals with limited income and resources who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled, including children. Child support, conversely, involves ongoing, periodic payments made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child, typically following the separation or divorce of parents. These payments are intended to help cover a child’s living expenses, such as food and shelter. Understanding how receiving child support can affect SSI eligibility and payment amounts is important for recipients and their families.

Understanding How Child Support Impacts SSI

Child support is considered unearned income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) purposes by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This classification is important because unearned income can directly reduce an individual’s SSI benefit amount.

The treatment of child support varies depending on whether the SSI recipient is a child or an adult. For a child SSI recipient, the SSA applies a specific calculation: one-third of the monthly child support payment is excluded from countable income, known as the “one-third exclusion rule.” The remaining two-thirds is considered countable income.

For example, if a child who receives SSI benefits also receives $240 in child support each month from an absent parent, the SSA would first exclude one-third of that amount, which is $80. The remaining $160 ($240 – $80) is then treated as countable unearned income. This countable income is then subtracted from the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR), the maximum federal SSI payment. In 2025, the maximum monthly SSI payment for an eligible individual is $967. If the countable child support, after the one-third exclusion, is $160, the child’s SSI benefit would be reduced by $160 from the FBR.

For adult SSI recipients, child support is counted differently. If an adult SSI recipient receives child support (e.g., for their own child who is not the SSI recipient), this payment is generally treated as unearned income for the adult’s SSI calculation. Unlike child SSI recipients, the one-third exclusion rule does not apply to child support received by an adult SSI recipient. This means a larger portion of the child support could directly reduce the adult’s SSI benefits, often on a dollar-for-dollar basis after a general income exclusion. The first $20 of most unearned income, including child support, is excluded for any SSI recipient before further reductions are applied.

In situations where a child is the SSI recipient, the concept of “deeming” can also apply. Deeming is a process by which the Social Security Administration attributes a portion of a parent’s income and resources to a child SSI recipient. Child support payments received for a child are counted as direct unearned income for the child SSI recipient and are not considered part of the parents’ income for deeming purposes. However, if the child support, after the one-third exclusion, combined with any deemed parental income, exceeds the SSI federal benefit rate, it could lead to a reduction or even termination of SSI benefits.

The exact amount of child support received directly influences the SSI benefit amount. If the countable income from child support, along with any other countable income or deemed income, reaches or exceeds the SSI federal benefit rate, the individual or child may become ineligible for SSI payments.

Reporting Child Support to the Social Security Administration

Timely and accurate reporting of any changes in income, including child support, to the Social Security Administration (SSA) is important for all Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Failing to report changes can lead to overpayments, which the SSA may require to be repaid, or underpayments, potentially resulting in reduced future benefits or loss of eligibility.

General guidelines suggest reporting changes within 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred. For instance, if child support payments begin or change in July, this information should be reported by August 10th. This timeframe helps ensure that SSI benefit calculations remain accurate and reflect a recipient’s current financial situation.

Several methods are available for reporting child support payments to the SSA. One common approach is to report by phone using the SSA’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, or the automated telephone wage reporting system at 1-866-772-0953. Reporting can also be done in person at a local Social Security office, where staff can assist with the process.

Another option is reporting by mail to your local Social Security office. When mailing a report, write “Attention: SSI” on the envelope. Online reporting may also be available through a “my Social Security” account on the SSA website, which allows for secure updates to income details. Some SSI recipients can use the SSA Mobile Wage Reporting App to submit wage and other income changes.

Regardless of the method chosen, specific information should be reported. This includes the exact amount of child support received, the date it was received, who the payment was for, and who received it. Keeping thorough records of all reported information and communications with the SSA, such as dates of contact, names of representatives spoken with, and copies of any submitted documents, is a prudent practice and can be valuable if any discrepancies arise regarding benefit calculations.