Will it hurt my child if I apply for children’s SSI Social Security disability benefits
I was asked to address some of the issues parents should consider when deciding whether to start an application for Social Security disability benefits (typically children’s Supplemental Security Income – SSI – benefits) for their disabled child.
Many parents worry that if their child receives Social Security disability benefits, they will be labeled as “disabled,” and carry that for the rest of their lives. Even beyond being on disability, the child may be diagnosed with a socially stigmatizing condition such as mental retardation.
I want my child to have a normal life. I want my child to overcome this. Will being “disabled” make my child stop trying?
I believe that disability can …
How much can I earn and keep my SSI?
This is a particularly tough question. I previously wrote about how earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount may cause your benefits to be stopped in Social Security Disability Insurance cases.
In SSI cases, I just learned that you can earn more than the SGA amount and still keep your SSI benefits.
WARNING: I do not pretend to be a understand SSI benefits calculations. I strongly encourage anyone reading this to check this information with Social Security. Also, any Social Security technicians are more than welcome correct any errors I may make here.
To figure out how much you can …
Can you garnish Social Security disability benefits for child support
A quickie article answering a common question: can you garnish Social Security disability benefits for child support?
Title 2 Disability Insurance (aka SSDI or DIB) benefits can be garnished for child support.
However, Title 16 Supplemental Security Income (aka SSI) benefits cannot be garnished.
This is general information only and not legal advice. Contact a lawyer for advice on your specific circumstances.
The advantages of getting both Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI benefits
I recently wrote about receiving both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Let’s look at the advantages of being on both benefits programs.
Can you get both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

I recently wrote about the difference between Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
But, can you get both: SSI and SSDI?
Depending on your circumstances, yes.
The maximum you can receive on SSI is based on the annual Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For 2012, the FBR is $698. That mean the most you can receive on SSI in $698 per month.
Disability Insurance Benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security. The more you have paid into Social …
What is the difference between Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

We previously discussed Social Security’s Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
The big difference between DIB and SSI is type of income which affects eligibility.
Under the “Disability Insurance” Program, Social Security considers whether you are working and earning money (engaging in a Substantial Gainful Activity – SGA). If you earn too much money as income, you may be denied Social Security DIB benefits. Of course, there …
Do I qualify financially for Social Security SSI disability benefits?

In order to qualify for Social Security Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI), not only do you have to be disabled, you also have to qualify financially.
To be eligible for SSI a person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. A married couple must have $3,000 or less 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 …
Do spouse’s and children’s benefits continue during incarceration?
If an individual is disabled and receives Title 2 Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI aka DIB), their spouse (husband or wife) and minor children can also receive benefits because of the spouse’s / parent’s disability. These are called auxiliary benefits.
I previously coved how Social Security benefits stop if a disabled person is goes to jail / prison.
So, what happens to the children’s or spouse’s benefits if the disabled individual is incarcerated: goes to jail or prison?
Do the wife or husband’s auxiliary benefits stop?
Do the children’s auxiliary benefits stop?
How far back does Social Security pay disability benefits?

If you are disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? Back to when the disability began?
It depends on whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or DIB), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits back to the “Protected Filing Date (PFD),” the date you contacted Social Security and asked to apply for benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance, on the other hand, pays benefits up to 12 months before the Protected Filing Date. However, you should also keep …
What is the “5 month waiting period” in Disability Insurance cases?

If you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI or DIB), you may be surprised that Social Security keeps the first 5 months of back benefits.
This is referred to as the “5 month waiting period.”
If you awarded benefits back to January 1st, Social Security actually keeps the benefits for January, February, March… all the way through May. Your disability insurance benefits will start in June.
What?!?! But, it is my money!
I know! But, that is how the system works!
However, there is an exception to the 5 month waiting period.
My Ex is disabled, can I get Social Security benefits?
Did you know that you can get Social Security benefits based on your spouse’s earnings, even if you are divorced?
Click to read who is entitled to wife’s or husband’s benefits as a divorced spouse?
How much can I get in SSI benefits in 2009?

If you are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or applying for SSI, you should know that Social Security’s SSI benefits have increased.
For 2008, the Federal Benefit Rate (the maximum you can receive in SSI) is $674 for individuals and $1,011 for couples. For most people though, this means the maximum SSI benefits you can get i 2008 is $674 per month.
This is up from $637 per month in 2008.
This page lists the Federal Benefit Rates back to 1998.
My ex is disabled, can our kids get benefits?
I was recently asked this question:
My Ex is getting Social Security disability benefits. I have custody of our kids. Can my kids get any benefits because of my ex’s disability?
Perhaps, but you have to meet several requirements:
The disabled parent must be receiving Title 2 Social Security Disability benefits. If the parent is receiving Title 16 SSI benefits, there are no auxiliary benefits available. Auxiliary benefits are benefits paid to a spouse or minor child of a disabled individual.
You have to be able to prove that the child is the child of the disabled parent. This is usually a non-issue, but there are instances where this is disputed. For example: …
If your husband or wife is disabled, you may be entitled to benefits
If your spouse is disabled and entitled to Social Security Title 2 benefits – Disability Insurance Benefits, you may be entitled to receive benefits from Social Security.
These benefits are called “auxiliary benefits.”
It is important to remember that auxiliary benefits are only available if the disabled spouse (disabled husband or disabled wife) is receiving Disability Insurance benefits. There are no auxiliary benefits when the disable spouse is receiving Social Security Title 16 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Am I entitled to Social Security auxiliary benefits?
Can children get Social Security benefits because of disabled parent?
If an individual is disabled and entitled to Social Security Title 2 benefits – also called Disability Insurance benefits, his or her minor children can also receive benefits from Social Security.
These benefits are called “auxiliary benefits” by Social Security.
It is important to remember that auxiliary benefits are only available if the disabled parent (disabled mother or disabled father) is receiving Disability Insurance benefits. There are no auxiliary benefits when the disable parent is receiving Social Security Title 16 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Other than the parent being disabled, what else do you need to receive children’s benefits?
























