In-kind support and maintenance refers to any food or shelter that is given directly to a disabled individual by someone else or that is received by the disabled individual because someone else pays for it. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) counts in-kind support and maintenance as unearned income when determining the amount a claimant is entitled to receive under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is intended to provide basic necessities, such as food and shelter, to disabled individuals who don't have many resources. When determining the amount that an eligible SSI claimant is entitled to, the SSA considers both the earned and unearned income of the individual. The amount of SSI benefits is reduced for eligible SSI claimants who receive in-kind support and maintenance.