# SSI PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support)

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).

**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.

**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.

## Sources
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts — https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- SSA — SSI Spotlights — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/

## Related questions
- [SSI — Supplemental Security Income Complete Guide (2026)](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi)
- [SSI vs SSDI](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi)
- [The SSDI Application Process](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/application-process)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSI vs SSDI — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi

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Published: 2026-07-18T13:46:10.141425+00:00
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