Supplemental Security Income

Primary tabs

Through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the federal government and the states provide cash assistance to people who are disabled, aged, or both and who have low income and few assets. CBO projects SSI spending under current law, prepares cost estimates for legislative proposals affecting SSI, and analyzes options for changing the program.

43934-home-MeansTested.png

Report

Growth in Means-Tested Programs and Tax Credits for Low-Income Households
February 11, 2013
During the past 40 years, federal spending for major means-tested programs and tax credits for low-income households more than tripled as a share of gross domestic product. In 2012, such spending totaled $588 billion.
43759-home-SSI.png

Report

Supplemental Security Income: An Overview
December 11, 2012
The report discusses how the SSI program works, who receives payments, the program’s spending and interaction with other government programs, the extent to which SSI affects people’s work and saving, and approaches to changing the program.

Supplemental Security Income

Primary tabs

43934-home-MeansTested.png

Growth in Means-Tested Programs and Tax Credits for Low-Income Households

43759-home-SSI.png

Supplemental Security Income: An Overview