26 Mar I won a jackpot. Will I really lose SSI benefits?

Q. I need help. I won a $5,306 jackpot and I receive SSI benefits. They said they will take my SSI for five months. Is that allowed?
— Beneficiary

A. You are in a pickle.

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income.

It’s a needs-based government assistance program administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration and offers monthly payments to eligible U.S. citizens, including people with disabilities and people aged 65 and older whose income and assets fall below a certain threshold.

To be eligible — and to stay eligible — there are asset and income limits.

So gambling winnings, while seemingly a jackpot, can hurt your eligibility for the benefits.

Social Security counts the winnings as unearned income, and it must be reported to the agency because your benefits are calculated monthly. If you don’t report it, you could end up receiving an overpayment of benefits, which you would eventually need to pay back.

One option to consider is putting the money in an ABLE account. These accounts are meant for people with certain disabilies, but you should really speak to an attorney who is familiar with the requirements to see if this is an option for you.

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This story was originally published in March 2026. 

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.