SPEEDING UP Social Security disability benefit processing after a win
Congratulations! You have won your Social Security disability case and have been approved for SSI! You have read my article about when you should get paid. But, weeks have gone by and you still have not heard anything from your local Social Security office about your benefits.
Is anyone working on my case?
Is there anyone there?
Hello?
While some SSI cases get very fast processing (sometimes an appointment is scheduled at the Social Security office before the hearing decision is even delivered), other cases wait for more than a month with seemingly no activity from Social Security.
Here is a tip: you can actually …
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?
What exactly are Social Security disability benefits?
If you are like most people, you probably have never had to think about what you would do if you became disabled. What would you do if you suddenly could not work? How would you pay your rent or mortgage? How would you afford to see your doctor?
Social Security provides help if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Generally, Social Security disability benefits provide two things:
Monthly cash benefits – to help you pay for your expenses.
Health insurance (Medicare or Medicaid) – to help you pay for your medical expenses.
Social Security has two similar disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental …
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.
Which pays more? SSDI or SSI?
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. …
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.
2009 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amounts
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.
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:
SSI, Settlements/Inheritance, and Special Needs Trusts
Here is a popular question:
I’m on SSI, do I have to tell Social Security about an inheritance/settlement I am getting?
The answer is simple:
YES!
There is no point beating around the bush with this one. If you are on SSI and “come into money” whether it is a gift, inheritance or settlement (or through whatever means), you need to notify Social Security.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a “needs-based” program. You only get it if you do not have money coming in from other sources. So, if you suddenly get some money, your benefits may be reduced or even cut off.
Even worse for some people is the potential loss of Medicaid.
