SSI - what are the limits on income and resources?

[anonymous]

Can a peerson receiving SSI benefits accept expensive gifts without prosecution? What are the rules concerning income limits, vacation pay, income limits on pay. anything else.

[Disability Advocate]

Economic Eligibility Requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Claimants must meet very specific requirements to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. First you must meet the income and resource requirements which are outlined by the Federal government:

• Limited Income

According to the Social Security Administration you must have limited income. Income can be earned income (wages), unearned income (Social Security benefits, pensions, state disability payments, unemployment benefits, and cash from friends and family), in-kind income (any food or shelter that you receive which is less than the fair market value), or deemed income (income from your spouse or parents).

Not all types of income are counted as “income” for the SSI program, but in general, the more income you receive the less Supplemental Security Income benefits will be paid to you. If your countable income is higher than the amount allowed, you will not qualify for Supplemental Security Income payments.

• Limited Resources

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income, you must also have limited resources. The Social Security Administration considers resources as things you own such as: land, vehicles, personal property, bank accounts, United States’ Savings Bonds, life insurance, and cash. The current limit for 2011 is $2000 per individual and $3000 per couple.

Not all resources are counted by the Social Security Administration. Currently, the SSA exempts the following resources:

• Your primary residence and land
• Personal effects and household goods.
• Burial plots for your immediate family members
• Burial funds for you and your spouse up to $1,500
• Life insurance policies for $1500 or less
• One vehicle
• Grants, fellowships, or gifts which are set aside to pay for educational costs within 9 months after their receipt
• Retroactive SSI or Social Security benefits for up to nine months after you receive them

If you are receiving SSI and have a question about whether you can receive certain types of gifts, you need to contact the SSA for more information. They have VERY specific criteria and failing to meet this criteria can jeopardize your benefits.

If you would like an attorney to review your claim you can fill out the FREE evaluation form and a disability advocate will call you to review your claim or you can call our office at 1-800-641-3759 to talk to someone now.