On 8-27-24, the Social Security Administration announced a large step in a multi-year effor to simplify processes for people who are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by starting to offer an online, streamlined application for some applicants starting in December. SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little…
You may have heard or read about the Donald Trump and conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation’s, plans for a second Trump presidency. If you haven’t, do a google search. There is some scary stuff in there, for sure. Some of it directly affects Social Security benefits. One of the major proposals involves gradually…
Summer 2021 Newsletter STILL STANDING…AND PRACTICING I published the first issue of Social Security & You in Spring of 1993. Some years I’ve published more issues than others. The most recent issue was dated Spring 2019: over 2 years ago. The world was a much different place then. Especially for me. Read the full newsletter…
Spring 2019 Newsletter An Opioid Story I’ve changed his name. Let’s call him Gerald. He was a laborer. And by that I don’t mean that he just did physical work. He was a card-carrying member the Labor’s Union local. And that meant a lot to him. I represented him for Social Security disability and Michigan…
In addition to Retirement, Survivors & Disability Insurance benefits (RSDI), which are based upon earnings and Social Security tax payments, the Social Security Administration (SSA) administrates the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI).
SSI is a need based program. It is not based upon the Claimant’s earnings. An individual SSI Claimant must have less than $2,000 in non-exempt assets. Exempt assets are a home, a vehicle, plus ordinary household and personal items. Anything more than that will disqualify a Claimant. The limit for a couple is $3,000.
SSI is also available to disabled children under 18 if the asset and income tests are met.
In addition, there is an income test. The SSI benefit amount for 2020 is $783 for an individual and $1,566 for a couple. A Claimant loses $1 in benefits for each $2 earned. So if a Claimant earns $1,542 the benefit disappears.
SSI beneficiaries are not eligible for Medicare. They are usually eligible for Medicaid and should be eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Health Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare