QUESTION: I know you need to have limited resources to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But what is considered a resource?

ANSWER: Resources are things you own that you can use for support. They include cash, real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, stocks and bonds. To be eligible for SSI a person must have no more than $2,000 in countable resources. A married couple must have no more than $3,000 in countable resources. If you own resources over the SSI limit, you may be able to get SSI benefits while trying to sell the resources. Not all of your resources count toward the SSI resource limit. For example:

The home you live in and the land it’s on do not count.

Your personal effects and household goods do not count.

Life insurance policies may not count, depending on their value.

Your car usually does not count.

Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family do not count.

Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse may not count.

If you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you plan to use them to work or earn extra income.

You may also wish to read material on “resources” in the booklet, Understanding SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm.

This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, call 800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov