SSI recipients can use credit cards, go into as much debt as they want, file bankruptcy, make as many bad financial decisions as everyone else. If an SSI recipient takes a cash advance or a large cash loan, the receipt of the money is not income (because it is debt) but holding on to the money through the following month does make the money a resource.

Money received from credit cards and banks are valid debt. Money received from family and friends may not be valid debt. SSI may consider money from family and friends as a gift.