Direct answer
SSI PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support)
A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets SSI recipients set aside income or resources to reach a specific work goal — like starting a business or getting a degree — without those funds reducing their SSI payment.
You submit form SSA-545-BK describing the goal, the items you need to buy, and a timeline. SSA reviews and either approves or requests changes. Approved PASS funds are excluded from countable income and resources for the life of the plan (typically 18-36 months).
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
Direct answer: A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets SSI recipients set aside income or resources to reach a specific work goal — like starting a business or getting a degree — without those funds reducing their SSI payment.
What is an SSI PASS plan?
You submit form SSA-545-BK describing the goal, the items you need to buy, and a timeline. SSA reviews and either approves or requests changes. Approved PASS funds are excluded from countable income and resources for the life of the plan (typically 18-36 months).
Where does this rule live in SSA's regulations?
SSA publishes the SSI eligibility rules in the SSI Eligibility page on ssa.gov and the annual 2026 SSI figures at ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html. When SSA's public page and this article differ, ssa.gov controls.
What if I'm not sure I qualify?
Apply anyway. SSA determines eligibility on the facts of your case, and application itself protects the earliest possible filing date. There is no penalty for applying and being denied.
Topics
- ssi
- SSI vs SSDI
- eligibility
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility (ssa.gov)
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts (ssa.gov)
- SSA — SSI Spotlights (ssa.gov)