Several updates to Supplemental Security Income are taking effect, impacting how benefits are calculated, alleviating reporting burdens and likely expanding the number of people who qualify for the program.

The Social Security Administration said it is implementing changes this week to policies related to its rental subsidy, the definition of a public assistance household and the way it handles food in calculations for what’s known as “in-kind support and maintenance.”

The changes were all announced earlier this year as part of a broader effort to simplify the SSI program.

Approximately 7.5 million Americans, including many with disabilities, receive SSI each month, with a maximum federal benefit of $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples. But, beneficiaries must adhere to strict and often complicated rules in order to maintain eligibility.

With the changes, Social Security said that it will no longer consider food assistance from friends, family or others in the community when calculating benefits. That will mean an increase of about $131 per month for over 90,000 beneficiaries and it could allow more people to become eligible for benefits, officials said.

The agency is also updating its rental subsidy policy to be more uniform nationwide, which is expected to offer about 41,000 people a bump of roughly $132 per month in benefits.

In addition, Social Security is making it easier to qualify as a “public assistance household,” which the agency said could increase benefits for some, reduce reporting requirements and help more individuals qualify for SSI.

“These changes will help more people access crucial SSI benefits,” said Martin O’Malley, commissioner of Social Security. “By simplifying and expanding our policies, we are making SSI smarter, removing barriers to accessing payments and reducing the burden on the public and agency staff.”

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