We increased the Substantial Gainful Activity SGA amount for individuals with disabilities, other than blindness, from $980 to $1000 for 2010.

The SGA amount for individuals who are blind is $1,640 for 2010. The amount is unchanged from 2009.

We increased the monthly earnings amount that we use to determine if a month counts for the Trial Work Period TWP from$700 to $720 for 2010.

For 2010, the Supplemental Security Income SSI Federal Benefit Rates FBR is $674 for an eligible individual and $1,011 for an eligible couple. The amounts are unchanged from 2009.

For 2010, the income amounts that will have no effect on eligibility or benefits for SSI beneficiaries who are students is unchanged from 2009.

For 2010, the monthly amount is $1,640 and the yearly maximum is $6,600.

For 2010, the monthly Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Base Premium is $461, and the 45 percent Reduced Premiums is $254. The Part B Supplementary Medical Insurance monthly Base Premium is $110.50.

via Social Security – The Red Book – What’s New In 2010?.

I was recently asked which pays more in benefits? Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

If you are wondering about the difference between SSDI and SSI, read this post.

As for which pays more, the answer is “it depends.”  

SSI benefits are based on the annual Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) which sets the maximum SSI benefits you can per month. For 2009, the FBR is $674 for individuals ($1,011 for couples).  That mean the most an individual on SSI can receive is $674 per month. Couples who are both on SSI can receive a maximum of $1,011 per month.  

Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security. The more you have paid into Social Security, the more monthly benefits you may be entitled to.  

Simply put, SSI is capped at $674 per month (based on the 2009 SSI Federal Benefit Rate). Depending on how much you have paid into Social Security, SSDI may pay more in benefits. 

If you want to get an idea of how much you may be entitled if you become disabled, Social Security has online benefit calculators which can estimate benefits amounts.  Social Security also mails you a “Social Security Statement” every year before your birthday which describes your estimated benefits.

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 2009, the FBR is $674.  That mean the most you can receive on SSI in $674 per month.  

Disability Insurance Benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security.  The more you have paid into Social Security, the more in monthly benefits you may be entitled to.  

The only way to get both SSDI and SSI is for your SSDI benefits to be less than the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). 

If that happens, and you qualify financially for SSI, you can also get Supplemental Security Income to pay up to the Federal Benefit rate.

I realize this may sound like a bunch of legalistic gobbledygook. So, here is a quick example:

Let’s say you only qualify for $500 per month in Social Security disability insurance benefits. 

SSI may pay you an additional $174 to bring your total monthly benefits up to the Federal Benefit rate.

However, if you get $700 from SSDI, you will probably get nothing from SSI, because you already are receiving more than the $674 Federal Benefit Rate in SSDI.

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 are some exceptions.

In other words, if you are applying for Disability Insurance Benefits, your earnings, if any, may make you ineligible.  But, other sources of money: gifts, prizes, winnings, settlements, and even spouses income, are NOT counted in determining eligibility.

Under Supplemental Security Income, all income: your earnings, your spouse’s earnings, gifts, settlements, and in children’s cases: household income, can make you financially ineligible to receive SSI.  SSI is a ”needs based” program and a program of last resort, if you have another source of income, then your “needs” are viewed as decreased.

In addition to income, SSI also considers your assets in determining eligibility. The plot of land you own, those shares of stock you received, most any assets you have may make you ineligible for SSI.

HOWEVER, the income and asset rules are so complicated and have so many exceptions that you do not want to jump to conclusions about whether or not you may be eligible.  This is something you will want to go over with Social Security.

Is there a difference between Disability Insurance (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amounts?

Yes. The maximum you can receive on SSI is based on the annual Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).  For 2009, the FBR is $674.  That mean the most you can receive on SSI in $674 per month.  

Generally, Disability Insurance Benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security.  The more you have paid into Social Security, the more in monthly benefits you may be entitled to.  

If you want to get an idea of how much you may be entitled if you become disabled, Social Security has online benefit calculators which can estimate benefits amounts.  Social Security also mails you a “Social Security Statement” every year before your birthday which describes your estimated benefits.

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.

Beginning January 2009, the maximum monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount increases to $674 (increased from $637 in 2008) for individuals and 1,010 for couples.  The maximum SSI benefit amount is based on the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

If you need to know the monthly maximum SSI amounts for other years, this page lists the Federal Benefit Rates back to 1998.

However, your SSI benefits may be less than the FBR amount if you have any other sources of income.  For example, if anyone is providing food, clothing or shelter for you  – your benefits may be reduced by 1/3.

Social Security has two different benefit programs for individuals who are disabled.

• Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB, also known as SSDI, or Title 2 benefits); and
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI or Title 16 benefits).

Because of its name, it is a common misconception that must apply for “Disability Insurance” if you are disabled. Actually, both programs provide disability benefits.  

What is Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB)?

Generally, Disability Insurance Benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security.  To qualify for DIB, you have to have earned enough Social Security credits, in the right time frame, by paying into Social Security through payroll taxes.  

There are several circumstances in which you may not have enough credits for Social Security Disability Insurance:

• If you have never worked.
• You worked so long ago that you are past your date last insured.  
• Instead of paying into Social Security, you paid into a state program (such as PERA). 

In each of these cases, you might not be eligible for Disability Insurance (DIB).
Please note that this is just an overview.  There are several circumstances in which you may still be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (DIB) even if you do not have not have enough credits under your own earnings, including:  

• Social Security Disability Insurance (DIB) based on a spouse’s, or former spouse’s, earnings.
• Widow/er’s benefits and Children’s benefits when a spouse/parent dies.
• DAC (Disabled Adult Child) benefits.

It is often a good idea to speak with Social Security if you think you may qualify for one of these other types of Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB).

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Even if you are not eligible for DIB, you may still be able to apply for SSI.  

Supplemental Security Income is a Social Security program which provides disability benefits to the following groups:

• Children, 
• Adults who have never worked; and 
• Adults who do not have enough quarters of coverage, or are past their date last insured.

Between a Rock and Hard Place:

Is it possible to not be eligible for either Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Sadly, yes.

If you cannot prove your disability prior to your date last insured, and your spouse makes too much money (or you have another problematic source of income), it is possible that you may not qualify for either DIB or SSI.  This is the proverbial between a rock and a hard place.

Which Program Should I Apply For?

In my opinion, apply for both.  Do not rule out your eligibility for a particular Social Security program. When you apply, Social Security will determine which benefit program(s) you are eligible for and will help you file the application. However, if you want to know if you will qualify for either program, Social Security has a website where you can see what benefits you may be eligible for.

But, Wait!  There’s More.

Once again, this is just a quick overview of DIB and SSI.  There are differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which I will address in other articles.

Here is a common problem. You apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but then Social Security tells you that your spouse is making too much money for you to be eligible.

How much is too much?

It was surprisingly difficult to track down an answer. But, at long last, I was able to find out that in order to be eligible for Social Security your countable income has to be less than the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

In 2009, the FBR is $674 per month for individuals, and $1,011 per month for couples. In 2008, the FBR was $637 per month for individuals, and $956 per month for couples. Note: the FBR changes annually. This page lists the Federal Benefit Rates back to 1998.

So, your spouse has to be making less than these amounts to keep you eligible for SSI benefits. At least, that is the best answer I am able to find to this surprisingly tricky question.

I am not addressing the difference between countable income and non-countable income. For that I refer you to your local Social Security office. This is just to give you a ball-park idea of how much of your spouse’s income may be too much.

Supplemental Security Income, SSI for short, pays up to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

For 2010, the Federal Benefit rate stays at $674 and $1,011 for couples. For most people, this means the maximum SSI benefits you can get in 2010 is $674 per month.

For 2009, the FBR was $674 per month.

In 2008, the FBR was $637 per month.

In 2007, the FBR was $623 per month.

This page lists the Federal Benefit Rates back to 1998.

Updated 01/20/2010.