Which States Offer the Highest SSI Benefit Per Recipient? Cost-of-Living and State Supplements Drive Major Gaps, Study Reveals

SSI is a federal safety-net program designed to support low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. While the base program is national, the real value of benefits varies sharply from state to state. Differences in state-funded supplements, cost-of-living adjustments, and administrative structures mean that two recipients with similar needs can receive very different levels of financial support based solely on geography.

A new study conducted by Simmrin Law Group analyzed federal SSI payment data across all 50 U.S. states. The study ranked states by average annual Supplemental Security Income received per beneficiary to identify where recipients see the most value from federal support programs.

California ranks first with an average SSI payout of $9,471 per recipient. With more than 1.1 million beneficiaries, the state distributes over $10.5 billion in SSI payments annually, the highest total in the nation. California’s combination of state supplements and higher cost-of-living adjustments significantly boosts per-recipient benefits.

Washington ranks second, with recipients receiving an average of $8,426 annually. The state paid approximately $1.13 billion in SSI benefits to nearly 135,000 recipients, placing it well above the national average.

Maryland ranks third, with an average SSI benefit of $8,422 per recipient. Despite having a smaller beneficiary population than many larger states, Maryland distributed roughly $954 million in total SSI payments, reflecting strong supplemental support.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Simmrin Law Group commented:

“The data highlights that recipients in states like California, Washington, and Maryland receive the nation’s most generous average SSI benefits.

“While all states participate in the federal SSI program, the significant variation in per-recipient payouts suggests that localized cost-of-living adjustments, differing state-level supplements, and administrative efficiency play major roles in shaping the final benefit amount. This disparity means that two individuals with identical needs could experience vastly different levels of financial support simply based on their state of residence.

“State and federal agencies should explore reforms to improve equity across the system – whether through enhanced federal minimums, better coordination of state supplements, or efforts to reduce administrative inefficiencies in lower-ranking states.”

Delaware ranks fourth at $8,419 per recipient, followed by Pennsylvania in fifth with $8,401 per person. Other top 10 states include Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Hawaii, each with average SSI payouts over $8,250.

On the other hand, North Dakota ranks 50th, with an average SSI payment of just $7,582 per recipient. Despite distributing over $59 million, the state’s per-person support lags significantly behind the national leaders.

Table of Extended Results

Top 10 States That Rely Most on Federal SSI Benefits
State	Total Payments x $1000	Total Recipients	SSI payout per recipient	Rank
California	10559798	1114946	$9,471	1
Washington	1137342	134979	$8,426	2
Maryland	954693	113353	$8,422	3
Delaware	134831	16015	$8,419	4
Pennsylvania	2729900	324958	$8,401	5
Indiana	999616	119965	$8,333	6
Minnesota	736038	88376	$8,328	7
Michigan	2066225	248307	$8,321	8
Ohio	2393294	288748	$8,289	9
Hawaii	173474	21009	$8,257	10

What This Means for SSI Recipients

SSI recipients in lower-ranking states often experience greater financial strain as housing, healthcare, and everyday living costs continue to rise nationwide.
Lower average benefits can make it harder for recipients to cover basic needs, increasing reliance on additional assistance or family support.
Wide state-by-state differences mean recipients with similar circumstances may receive very different levels of financial help depending on where they live.
Understanding these disparities can help policymakers identify gaps in support and evaluate whether current benefit levels reflect real-world living expenses.
For advocates and recipients, the data provides evidence to support calls for reforms that improve fairness and adequacy across the SSI system.

Methodology

The study was conducted by Simmrin Law Group, a digital safety resource dedicated to raising awareness of online fraud and helping Americans protect their emotional and financial well-being.

The research analyzed the most recent available federal data on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments and recipients across U.S. states. Each state’s total SSI payout was divided by the number of beneficiaries to determine the average benefit per recipient.

Data Sources