Can You Get Cash Assistance and SSI at the Same Time?

You can often receive both cash assistance and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), but the cash assistance amount is usually reduced or ended once SSI is approved. Programs are designed so that your combined benefits do not exceed certain income limits.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government offices and websites to apply, update your case, or appeal decisions.

Most states tie their cash assistance rules to federal SSI rules, but exact details vary by state and even by county. To get accurate information for your situation, you’ll typically need to check with your local public assistance office, such as the Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Social Services (DSS), or similar agency.

Key Terms That Affect Whether You Can Receive Both

A few basic terms make the rules easier to understand:

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) – A federal cash benefit for people with low income who are aged, blind, or disabled, run by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) – The main cash assistance program for families with children; run by states using federal funds.
State Supplement / State SSI Payment – Extra state money some SSI recipients get in addition to the federal SSI check.
Countable income – The income a program uses to decide your benefit; SSI and TANF each have their own calculation rules.

Once you know which program you’re dealing with (SSI, TANF, or a state SSI supplement), you can better predict what will happen when you receive both.

Fast Answer: When You Can Get Cash Assistance and SSI Together

1. While your SSI is still pending

You can usually receive state or county cash assistance while your SSI application is pending, as long as you meet that program’s rules.

Some areas have “General Assistance” or “General Relief” for adults without children who are applying for SSI.
Families with children may get TANF cash assistance while a parent or child is applying for SSI.

However, many states require you to sign an agreement allowing the state to be repaid from any SSI back pay if you are later approved.

2. After you are approved for SSI

What happens once SSI is approved typically falls into one of these patterns:

Situation	Can you get both?	What usually happens
Single adult on SSI, no children	Often no TANF, maybe local General Assistance	General Assistance often stops or is heavily reduced once SSI starts
Parent on SSI with minor children	Possibly both	SSI counts as income; TANF for the household is usually reduced
Child on SSI in a TANF household	Often both	Child’s SSI usually reduces the family’s TANF grant amount
State SSI supplement program	Built to stack with SSI	State supplement is paid in addition to federal SSI, under state rules

Each state sets its own income limits and benefit formulas, so the exact dollar change will vary.

3. When cash assistance is completely replaced by SSI

Some states treat SSI as enough income for certain adults and end state or county cash assistance entirely once SSI starts. This is common with General Assistance programs meant only as a bridge until federal benefits are approved.

Does This Apply to You? Common Situations

Adults without minor children

If you are an adult without children getting General Assistance / General Relief and then get approved for SSI, your GA/GR is often stopped.
Some places will let you keep a small local supplement, but many do not.

Families receiving TANF

If you’re a parent who gets SSI, your SSI is counted as income for the TANF household.
You may still receive TANF for your children, but the family’s TANF amount is usually reduced.
If the child gets SSI, that child might be removed from the TANF “assistance unit,” but the rest of the family can still receive TANF, again at a lower amount.

People in states with an SSI state supplement

If your state pays a state SSI supplement, you can typically get both federal SSI and the state supplement by design.
Sometimes the state supplement is paid through SSA, and sometimes through a state welfare or social services agency.

To check whether your state has an SSI supplement and how it works, you can review the SSI payment levels and state supplements information on the Social Security Administration’s website at ssa.gov.

What You’ll Need Ready When SSI Affects Cash Assistance

When SSI enters the picture, caseworkers usually re-evaluate your cash assistance. Having the right information ready can reduce delays.

You will typically need:

SSI award letter (or denial letter, if still applying)
Proof of SSI payment amount (bank statement or SSA notice)
Current household members and income for everyone in the home
Identification and Social Security numbers for you and any children on the case
Any agreement you signed with the state about repaying benefits from SSI back pay

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason benefits are reduced more than expected is that the caseworker does not have up‑to‑date information on who actually lives in the home or on current rent and utilities, which can matter for some programs’ budgets.

Your Next Steps: How to Confirm If You Can Get Both

Use this sequence to see what you can receive and what to expect next.

1. Identify which programs you’re on now

Check your current award letters or online portal for program names.
- Look for terms like “TANF,” “Family Assistance,” “CalWORKs,” “General Assistance,” or “General Relief.”
Confirm your SSI status:
- If you have an SSA letter with a monthly benefit amount and start date, you are approved.
- If you only have a “we received your application” notice, your SSI is still pending.

What to expect next: If you just received an SSI approval letter, your state or county agency will typically review your cash assistance within a few weeks or at your next recertification.

2. Report SSI status to your cash assistance office

Do this next: report SSI approval or denial to the office that manages your cash assistance.

You can usually do this by:

Online portal – Many states have a benefits portal (often linked from the state’s DHS/DSS website).
Phone – Call the customer service number on your benefits notice.
In person – Visit your local public assistance / welfare office.

A simple phone script you can adapt:
“I’m calling to report a change. I receive [TANF/General Assistance], and I was just [approved/denied] for SSI. I’d like to know how this affects my cash assistance and if you need any documents from me.”

What to expect next: The office will usually schedule a phone or in‑person interview or will send you a notice showing new benefit amounts or stating that cash assistance will end on a specific date.

3. Ask directly: “Can I still receive any cash assistance with SSI?”

During your call or appointment, ask targeted questions:

“If my SSI starts at $____ per month, what will my TANF/GA amount be?”
“Will my children still get TANF if I’m on SSI?”
“Is there a state supplement for SSI in this state?”
“Will you recover any past assistance from my SSI back pay?”

What to expect next: In many cases, the worker can give you an estimated new amount right away, but the official change will come as a written notice with start and end dates.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because this involves cash benefits and federal programs, staying with official channels protects you from problems.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Missed reporting of SSI approval → Report any SSI decision within 10 days or your state’s required timeframe to avoid overpayments.
Sending copies to the wrong office → Make sure you submit SSI papers to the state/local benefits office, not just the Social Security office.
Assuming rules are the same as a friend’s state → Always confirm with your own county or state agency, especially for TANF and General Assistance.

Scam and safety guidance

Only share your Social Security number and SSI letters with Social Security, state/local agencies, or verified legal aid.
Ignore calls or texts that promise higher SSI or cash assistance for a fee; official agencies do not charge for applications or benefit changes.
If you need help finding legitimate assistance, you can dial 211 or visit your local 211 website to be connected to recognized agencies and legal aid.

If Your Cash Assistance Is Stopped or Cut Off After SSI

If your cash assistance is reduced or terminated after you start SSI and you think it’s wrong, you usually have options.

Read the notice carefully
- Look for: reason code, effective date, and appeal or fair hearing deadline.
Request a fair hearing or appeal
- Most states allow you to appeal in writing or online, often within 10–30 days of the notice.
- If you appeal before the effective date, some states let you keep your prior benefit level temporarily while the appeal is pending.
Gather supporting documents
- SSI award letter and current payment amount.
- Proof of rent, utilities, and household members if your state uses a budget calculation.
Seek free help if needed
- Look for legal aid or disability advocacy organizations in your area; 211 can usually provide referrals.

If this doesn’t work: Even if your traditional cash assistance ends, you may still qualify for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or rental assistance, which have different rules for people on SSI. Ask your benefits office specifically: “Now that I’m on SSI, what other programs can I still qualify for?”

Once you understand which program you have (TANF, General Assistance, or a state SSI supplement) and have reported your SSI status to your local public assistance office, you can confirm exactly whether you can receive both and how your total monthly support will change.