Demystifying In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) for SSI Recipients

Navigating the Impact on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits and Strategies for Special Needs Planning

After publishing last week’s article I realized there may be readers who are not familiar with Social Security’s In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) rules. So this week I’m going to do a deep dive into what it is, and how you may be able to get around it. Full disclosure, I did exactly what I’m suggesting in this article and my son’s benefits are still being reduced. I don’t have a “magic bullet”.

What is In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)?

In-Kind Support and Maintenance refers to the value of food or shelter that someone receives for free or at a reduced cost. For SSI recipients, it's important to understand how ISM can affect their monthly benefit payments. There is a possibility that soon Social Security may not consider food. For more information please check out the “Omitting Food From In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations” proposed rule from 15 February 2023. As of the date this was published (20 September 2023), the rule has not gone into effect.