A recipient lives in State X which has a resource limit of $2,000 for an individual and $2,800 for a couple. Upon conversion to the SSI rolls in January 1974, the individual retains the right to have resources up to $2,000 rather than adopting the SSI resource limit. In May 1974 the recipient acquires a spouse who was not eligible under a State plan for December 1973 but who is now eligible for SSI. The couple's total countable resources are now $2,175, which is over the State's allowable resource limit of $2,000 for an individual. Therefore, the Federal resource limit and exclusions for a couple would be applied because their use allows eligibility.

A recipient lives in State Y which has a resource limit of $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a couple and which excludes from resources income-producing real property. Upon conversion to the SSI rolls in January 1974 the individual retains the right to have the State resource exclusions and limitations applied. The individual's spouse is also SSI eligible but was not eligible under a State plan for December 1973. The couple owns income-producing real property valued at $12,700 and has $500 in a bank account. Since they would be ineligible under Federal resource rules, the State rules for an individual are applicable, i.e., the couple's resource limit is $1,000 and income-producing real property is excluded.