My SSI benefits stopped because I was in a hospital! Why?
Here is the short answer: if you are hospitalized in a medical treatment facility for 30 days, your SSI benefits may be cut to $30 per month.
Now, here is the long answer:
You are not eligible for SSI benefits for any month throughout which you are a resident of a “public institution.” A “public institution” means an institution that is operated by or controlled by the Federal government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county.
As a side note, if you apply for SSI while you are a resident of a public institution, you cannot be eligible for payment of benefits (even though you meet all other eligibility requirements) until the “first day of the month following the day of your release from the institution.”
Basically, your benefits will not start until the month after your release. If you were released on January 1st, your benefits would start February 1st. If you are released January 31st, your benefits still start on February 1st. The first day of the month following the day of your release from the institution.
However, this does not include a publicly operated community residence which serves 16 or fewer residents. What is a community residence?
When Social Security problems arise, watch out for deadlines!
You, or your child, are on Social Security, when out of the blue, you get a letter:
Your benefits will cease as of …
or
An overpayment was detected due to your failure to notify Social Security of your spouse’s income …
or
Since turning 18 years of age, we have determined that you are no longer disabled under our rules …
You may be thinking, “this is clearly a mistake;” “I go in every year with my spouse’s paystubs;” or “nothing has changed in my condition.”
So, you call Social Security to clear this up. Maybe you make an appointment to go in. Maybe you speak to an understanding soul who says it is all a mistake. You think to yourself:
The letter said I could appeal, but I don’t need to do that, I will just get it cleared up.
Watch out!
When do Social Security children’s benefits stop?
A child may be entitled to receive Social Security child’s benefits if a parent dies. These are called survivor’s benefits.
However, under Social Security Regulations (20 CFR 404.352), the entitlement to child’s benefits may end for any of the following reasons.
My child turned 16, and my Social Security benefits were stopped
If a parent dies, the surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits if he or she is caring for a the deceased’s child and the child is under 16 years old or disabled. These are called Mother’s and Father’s benefits. See 20 CFR Section 404.339 for more information.
Mother’s and Father’s benefits are separate from the survivor’s benefits the child may be entitled to due to the death of a parent. This is a little known subset of …
