Social Security disability benefits in a half-way house
Even though you cannot receive Social Security benefits during incarceration, can you get disability if you are out of jail or prison and residing in a half-way house?
Under the Social Security regulations, the answer is “no.”
“I was transferred from prison to a halfway house that is under the control of my state’s Department of Corrections. Can I have my benefits started again since I am no longer in prison?”
No. Social Security will not pay benefits while you reside in any facility under the authority of your state’s Department of Corrections. Even though you are no longer in prison, you …
No increase in Social Security SSI disability benefits in 2011
Social Security announced today that there will be no increase in Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for 2011. The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) – the maximum monthly rate for SSI benefits – will stay at $674 for individuals per month, and $1,011 per month for couples.
Historically, SSI benefits have increased annually. The last increase was in 2009 increasing maximum SSI benefits from $639 to $674. This makes 2011 the third year in a row that SSI benefits are staying at the same rate. More information about changes to Social Security in 2011 including substantial gainful activity (SGA) and trial work period (TWP) amounts can be found …
Starting Social Security disability benefits after incarceration
After you are released from jail or prison, will Social Security let you restart your benefits or will you have to start a new application?
The answer depends on the kind of benefits you received (Social Security Disability Insurance – SSDI, or Supplemental Security Income – SSI) and how long you were incarcerated in jail or prison.
Restarting SSI after incarceration:
It is possible to restart SSI benefits if you were incarcerated for less than 12 months.
After you are incarcerated for a year or longer though, you have to start a …
Are Social Security disability benefits forever?
Many people wonder what will happen after they are approved for Social Security disability benefits?
Will my benefits be stopped?
Will I continue to get Social Security disability benefits for the rest of my life?
Except for closed period cases, Social Security disability benefits normally can continue for an indefinite period of time. An individual may be able to receive benefit for the rest of his or her life.
Of course, this assumes that the impairments continue to be disabling (and any other non-medical requirements continue to be met).
Here is the catch:
How does borrowing money affect Social Security Supplemental Security Income SSI disability benefits
It can be very difficult to get by on the small amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays. Many individuals are forced to borrow money from friends or family just to make ends meet. But, how can this negatively affect SSI eligibility?
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 …
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 …
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.
Does a felony conviction prevent you from getting disability benefits / SSI?
I saw this question in the comments on Jonathan Ginsberg’s site, Social Security Disability Blog:
I would like to know if a convicted felon, who is not incarcerated, can receive Title 16 SSI disability?
This is a great wrinkle on our current discussion on the effect of incarceration on Social Security disability benefits, including SSI. I encourage anyone interested in this topic to bookmark this link and check back as I will be adding articles to the subject in the days and weeks to come.
As a Social Security lawyer in Colorado, I have worked with a number …
Will my SSI benefits continue if I move to a different state?
I was recently asked if you will still receive your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you move to a different state. I understand the fear of moving to a different state when you rely on SSI benefits to make it month to month.
Fortunately, the general answer is yes.
Social Security is a national program. Whether you are receiving Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, your benefits continue even if you move to a different state.
However, the following states provide additional benefits and supplement SSI benefits:
