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). According to Social Security, countable income is the amount left after, “eliminating from consideration all items that are not income; and applying all appropriate exclusions to the items that are income.” Then, “the amount actually subtracted from the maximum Federal benefit to determine your eligibility and to compute your monthly payment amount.”

In 2012, the FBR is $698 per month for individuals and $1048 for couples — up from $674 for individuals, and $1,011 for couples (where it has held steady for the last three years: 2011, 2010, and 2009). Normally, there is an annual change to the FBR. In 2008, the FBR was $637 per month for individuals, and $956 per month for couples. 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. I encourage anyone trying to find out if they qualify financially for SSI, to check with Social Security.

Updated: January 12, 2012

A lot of things happen after you approved for Supplemental Security Income benefits.

First, Social Security needs to review your financial eligibility.

Second, Social Security must reimburse the State for any interim assistance you received while waiting for your SSI decision. In Colorado, the interim assistance program is called Aid for the Needy Disabled (AND). This means that if you received AND and won your Social Security SSI case, Social Security will first repay the Department of Human Services (Department of Social Services).

Third, Social Security pays out your back benefits in installment payments.

What!?! My brother is on SSI, they didn’t make him wait to get his back benefits.

The way Social Security handles SSI back benefits was changed on May 8, 2006. If you are entitled to receive more than three months of back benefits, your benefits will be paid in three installments paid every six months (Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and 42 USC § 1383(a)(10)(A), (B)). The first and second installment payments are limited to three months worth of SSI benefits. However, the first and second installments can be increased to more than three months of benefits to pay for the following:

1. Outstanding debts for: food, clothing, shelter, or medically necessary services, supplies or equipment, or medicine; or
2. Current expenses or expenses anticipated in the near term for: medically necessary services, supplies or equipment, or medicine, or for the purchase of a home. 42 U.S.C. § 1383(a)(10)(B).

Installment payments do not apply in two situations:

1. If you have an impairment that is expected to result in death within 12 months; or
2. If you are ineligible for SSI benefits and are likely to remain ineligible for the next 12 months (for example, if you are only entitled to back SSI benefits because you are also receiving Disability Insurance benefits under Title II and the monthly amount exceeds the monthly SSI benefit payment. 42 U.S.C. § 1383(a)(10)(C).

For more information on how to qualify for one of these exceptions, see POMS SI 02101.020.