If you get SSI or you’re applying for it, there is one rule that confuses more people than almost anything else, and it can directly reduce your monthly check if you don’t understand it. It’s called in-kind support and maintenance, or ISM.
And today I’m going to explain exactly what ISM is, when it applies, how much it can reduce your SSI, and most importantly, how to avoid surprises with it. This video was actually requested by one of you yesterday in our live stream.
And if you’ve ever wondered, Can I live with my family? Can someone help me with rent? Or why did Social Security just cut my check? You’re in the right place.
This is a transcript of our video. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel: Low Income Relief.
So, let’s start simple first.
What Is ISM?
What is ISM? It stands for in-kind support and maintenance. It basically means income that isn’t cash. This is what they call it when someone is helping you with basic needs instead of handing you money directly.
Social Security looks at your life and asks, “Is someone else paying for your basic needs?” And if the answer is yes, then they assume that you need less SSI and they reduce your payment.
Now, for years, if your mom bought you groceries or a friend cooked you dinner, Social Security could punish you by cutting your monthly check. The good news is that those rules changed in September of 2024 so that food no longer counts against you. That means if your family buys you groceries, it does not lower your SSI check.
However, you’re not out of the woods yet, because there is still a rule regarding shelter that could slash your benefits by almost $350 a month. If someone regularly helps you with rent, utilities, or housing, Social Security may count that help as income, even though you never receive the money.
What Counts as Shelter for ISM
When Social Security talks about shelter for ISM purposes, they are very specific. These are the housing-related costs that can count if someone else helps pay them for you.
If someone pays any part of your rent or your mortgage for the place that you live, that usually counts as in-kind support. That may include paying the landlord directly, paying the mortgage holder, letting you live somewhere rent-free, or below market value.
Some utilities count as shelter costs while others do not. Utilities that do count include electricity, natural gas, heating fuel, water, sewer, and even trash or garbage removal. If someone else pays these for you, or if they’re included and you’re not paying your fair share, that can be counted as ISM.
If you own your own home and someone pays your property taxes, or even your homeowner’s insurance that’s included in your mortgage payment, those costs can also count as shelter support.
What Does Not Count as ISM
These things do not count as in-kind support and maintenance:
- Clothes
- Phones or phone bills
- Medical care
- Transportation
- Furniture
- Household items
- Streaming services
- Repairs or home improvements
- Home maintenance that isn’t required to live there
- Any gifts that are not shelter-related
So if someone buys you clothes, pays for your phone, or gives you rides, that does not reduce your SSI.
Social Security only looks at shelter for in-kind support and maintenance right now. Like I said, the rules used to include food, but they don’t anymore.
Real-Life Examples of ISM
Now let’s talk about a few real-life situations you might face and how they can affect your benefits.
Example 1: Living With Family for Free
Let’s talk about Maria. Maria gets SSI and moves in with her adult daughter. Her daughter tells her, “Don’t worry about rent or groceries or anything. Just focus on your health.”
So Maria doesn’t pay rent. She’s not buying food. She’s not even contributing to utilities. Even though this help is loving and well-intentioned, Social Security sees Maria as getting free housing. That counts as in-kind support and maintenance.
As a result, Maria’s SSI check is cut by one-third, even though no one is giving her cash.
Example 2: Someone Pays Part of Your Rent
Now let’s talk about James. James lives alone in an apartment, but his brother pays $150 of his rent directly to the landlord every month. James never touches that money, but from Social Security’s point of view, some of his housing is being provided for him.
Because someone else is covering part of his rent, Social Security usually counts that as shelter support. That means James’s SSI payment is cut, even though he’s not living with anyone and never receives cash.
Example 3: Shared Housing, Paying Your Fair Share
Now let’s look at Tanya. Tanya lives with two roommates. They split rent and utilities evenly. Every month, Tanya pays her portion on time, and there’s a written agreement showing the total expenses and what she’s responsible for.
Because Tanya is paying her fair share of shelter costs, Social Security may not count that as ISM. But—and this part matters—if Tanya can’t prove she’s paying her fair share, or there’s no documentation, Social Security might assume she’s getting help and reduce her check anyway.
How Much Can ISM Reduce Your SSI?
This is where people panic, so let’s slow down.
There are two main ways Social Security calculates in-kind support and maintenance.
The One-Third Reduction Rule (VTR)
This is the most severe reduction. It usually applies when you live in someone else’s household and receive shelter at no cost.
In cases like Maria’s, Social Security can reduce your SSI by one-third of the federal benefit rate, plus $20. Using 2025 numbers as an example, if the full benefit rate is $967, they take away about $322. Your check becomes roughly $645.
This happens automatically if you can’t prove you’re paying your fair share.
The Presumed Maximum Value (PMV)
This applies when you’re getting some help, but not full support.
In James’s case, Social Security counts the $150 his brother pays as income. After the $20 exclusion, they count $130 and reduce his SSI by that amount.
There is a cap. They can never reduce your check by more than one-third of the federal benefit rate plus $20, even if someone pays your entire mortgage.
PMV is not final. You have the right to prove that the actual value of the help is less than what Social Security assumed. This is called rebutting the PMV.
How to Prove Your Case
You can use documents like:
- Leases or rental agreements
- Mortgage statements
- Utility bills
- Property tax bills
- Bank statements or payment app records
- Written statements from family members or landlords
These statements don’t need to be notarized or fancy. They just need to clearly explain who pays for what.
What to Do If Your Check Is Reduced
Here’s how the process usually works:
- Social Security applies the reduction and sends a notice.
- You respond by requesting reconsideration and submitting proof.
- Social Security reviews the evidence and adjusts your benefits if warranted.
You usually have 60 days to respond, but sooner is better.
Final Thoughts on ISM
ISM rules are not about punishing people for getting help. SSI is a needs-based program, and Social Security reduces benefits when basic needs are met another way.
I know it’s frustrating. I know it makes things harder. But understanding this rule gives you more power to protect your benefits.
One of the biggest causes of massive overpayments is not reporting changes or misunderstandings about ISM. Those overpayments can take up to 50% of your check, so honesty and documentation matter.
If ISM rules have ever confused or stressed you out, you’re not alone. This is one of the most misunderstood SSI rules out there.