What is the SEIE?
If you are a student under the age of 22 who is working, you may qualify for the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). The SEIE is a great way for students to earn and save money!
When you receive SSI and you work, your SSI cash benefit usually goes down by about $1 for every $2 earned. With the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), you can earn money, up to a certain limit, and your SSI check will not be reduced.
Am I eligible?
You must be:
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Receiving SSI -
Under the age of 22 -
Regularly attending school -
Working
Am I regularly attending school?
“Regularly attending school” means you are one of the following:
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In grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week. -
In college for at least 8 hours per week. This includes online schools if approved by Social Security. -
In a training program to prepare for employment, for at least 12 hours a week. This includes high school transition programs.
A combination of hours in the classroom, hours in the community with school staff, and hours working can meet the 12-hour attendance requirement.
If you take the summer off but plan to go back to school in the Fall, you may still qualify for the SEIE during the summer months.
How much does SEIE allow me to exclude?
The SEIE has monthly and annual exclusion limits.
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In 2026, the most you can exclude in a month is $2,410. -
In the year, you most you can exclude in total is $9,730.
How does it work?
Example: you receive $994 SSI and you start a job, earning $700 gross per month.
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You let Social Security know you are a student and begin reporting your income. See SEIE – Student Instructions below for more information. -
If you qualify for the SEIE, your SSI will not go down for that month. You will receive $994 SSI plus your $700 earnings from your job. -
The SEIE resets each year, beginning in January. If you still qualify for the exclusion, you can use the SEIE all over again in the new year.
Tip: What to do with all this money? Save it in an ABLE account or trust!
SEIE Calculation Example:
Clark is 20 years old, a full-time student, and eligible for $994 SSI. He begins working a summer job, earning $1,000 gross wages per month. He also gets a monthly cash gift of $125.
Clark lets Social Security know that he is working and that he is a full-time student. Social Security applies the Student Earned Income Exclusion when calculating Clark’s SSI benefit amount.
Step One: What is Clark’s countable income?
First, Social Security looks at Clark’s unearned income.
$125 cash gift
– $ 20 General Exclusion
= $105 countable unearned income
Next, Social Security looks at his earned income. Social Security applies the Student Earned Income Exclusion here.
$1,000 gross wages
– $1,000 Student Earned Income Exclusion
= $ 0
Social Security continues with the calculation:
– $ 65 Earned Income Exclusion
= $ 0
$0 / 2 (divide by 2)
= $0 countable earned income
Social Security adds the countable unearned income and countable earned income for Clark’s total countable income:
$105 countable unearned income
+ $ 0 countable earned income
= $105 total countable income
Step Two: What will be Clark’s adjusted SSI?
$994 SSI
– $105 total countable income
= $862 SSI
Step Three: What does Clark get altogether?
$125 cash gift
$1,000 gross wages
+ $862 SSI check
= $1,987 total monthly income
By claiming the Student Earned Income, Clark is able to earn money and receive a full SSI benefit check.
Student Earned Income Exclusion: Student Instructions
Step #1:
Documentation
Gather the following documentation and check the boxes as you go. You can begin to do this before finding a job.
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A photocopy of your student identification card, if you have one -
A letter written and signed by your teacher. Give your teacher the next section titled “Teacher Instructions” -
A wage stub, once you start working
Step #2:
Visit your Social Security office
Once you begin working, you can apply for the Student Earned Income Exclusion.
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Go to your local Social Security office.
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You can just walk into your local office, or you can call 1-800- 772-1213 and ask for an appointment. -
If you do not know where your local office is, search “SSA Office Locator” on the web. You will find the Social Security website that can show your office based on your zip code.
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Bring all your documentation from Step #1. -
When you talk to a Social Security Claims Representative, tell the person you want to use the Student Earned Income Exclusion. -
Ask the Claims Rep to make a copy of everything, stamp it as “received,” and hand it back to you. -
Ask the Claims Rep about ways to report income. These include calling in wage information, using the phone app, reporting online, or mailing in copies of wage stubs.
Step #3:
Wage reporting
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Report your gross wages every month, by the 6th day of the following month. -
Watch your SSI check. If your SSI check does go down and you think it shouldn’t, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your SSA local office to speak with a Claims Rep. -
When you stop being a student who regularly attends school, or you turn age 22, let Social Security know!
Student Earned Income Exclusion: Teacher Instructions
Your student may qualify for the Student Earned Income Exclusion with Social Security. This exclusion is a great opportunity for your student to build wealth while working!
To apply for the exclusion, your student will need the following information from you:
A letter on school letterhead
Write a brief letter on school letterhead. Include the following:
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A statement that the student is in a transition program that helps him/her prepare for employment. -
A statement about how many hours the student attends each week. This includes time in the community with school staff and time working with support. (A minimum of 12 hours per week is needed for the student to qualify for the exclusion.) -
The date when the student will exit the transition program, if known. -
Your signature, title, and phone number and/or email.
Sample Letter Template:
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to confirm that [Student Name] is enrolled in a transition program in [School name or district]. This transition program helps students build skills to become employed. [Student Name] attends school for [##] many hours per week, working toward [his/her] vocational goals. [Student Name] is expected to exit the transition program on [date].
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you,
Teacher’s name, Title
Phone number; Email address