The Trump administration is reviewing a Social Security policy change that could reduce or eliminate monthly payments for about 400,000 disabled adults and older Americans living in family homes.
The change would revise how the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program defines household support, a shift that could affect eligibility for hundreds of thousands of people who rely on the benefit.
Rule under review
The proposal would alter how the Social Security Administration determines whether a person qualifies as living in a “public assistance household.” Under current rules, expanded in 2024 under former President Joe Biden’s administration, a household can qualify if at least one member receives certain public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
That change made it easier for low-income disabled adults and elderly people living with relatives to qualify for SSI support.
The new review under President Donald Trump would remove SNAP from the list of qualifying programs and return to a stricter definition. Under that approach, all members of a household would need to receive public assistance for the household to qualify.
How SSI payments could change
The Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly cash assistance to about 7.4 million Americans who are disabled or elderly and have little or no income. The average monthly payment is about $737, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Under the rule being reviewed, individuals living in households where not all members receive public assistance could be reclassified as receiving “in-kind support,” such as free housing.
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That would mean the government could reduce or eliminate benefits by counting the estimated value of food and shelter provided by family members as income.
According to ProPublica, which reviewed internal documents and actuarial estimates from the Social Security Administration, up to 400,000 people could see their benefits reduced or eliminated if the rule is adopted.
USA TODAY reporter Sarah D. Wire reported that the change would also expand the way household contributions are measured, including by factoring in family income and living arrangements when calculating eligibility.
Government review process and response
The rule is still in early review at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). At this stage, the office reviews the proposal, makes revisions, and assesses its alignment with the administration’s policy priorities.
If it advances, the Social Security Administration would publish the rule for public comment, allowing individuals, advocacy groups, and institutions to respond before any final decision is made. The process can take a year or longer, depending on the level of public opposition and revisions required.
Neither the Social Security Administration nor the Office of Management and Budget responded to requests for comment.
Why this matters
The SSI program is a critical income source for some of the most financially vulnerable Americans, including disabled adults and older people who cannot work or have limited earning capacity.
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For many households, these payments are the difference between stable housing and poverty.
Advocates say that changes to household definitions could unintentionally penalize people who rely on family support, particularly when relatives provide housing or basic care without formal financial assistance.
Supporters of stricter eligibility rules argue that the system must ensure benefits go only to those who meet narrow financial criteria and that household contributions should be considered in determining need.
The outcome of the review will determine whether hundreds of thousands of Americans continue receiving full SSI benefits or face reductions based on how their living arrangements are classified.
