Supplemental Security Income provides a monthly check to individuals who are disabled, blind or over 65. Low income, resource requirements and monitoring assure that those who qualify continue to need the funds. SSI payments come from the general revenue funds, and Social Security administers the SSI program. Recipients whose income or resources change may lose SSI benefits. Some recipients lose benefits permanently; others see a reduction for a month or several months.
Eligibility
An SSI recipient may have no more than $2,000 in resources to qualify for a monthly check. Social Security does not count a house and vehicle in the calculations. Once approved, the recipient may receive approval to fund a plan to achieve self-support or similar accumulation of income for future goals. Otherwise, the recipient must maintain resources at less than $2,000. Social Security evaluates earned and unearned income along with in-kind and deemed income to determine SSI eligibility. Social Security requires monthly reporting if income or resources change. If someone lives with you who does not qualify for SSI and earns a monthly income, that income may partially count as yours, since you benefit from it. Deemed income may reduce your SSI benefits.
Loss of Benefits by Income
The SSI monthly federal payment for 2011 is $674, with some states adding a supplement. Social Security offsets this benefit by your earned and unearned income. Earned income in excess of $1,433 a month causes a recipient to lose benefits for the month, but the loss is not immediate. The individual notifies Social Security within 10 days of the month in which the income changed and SSI implements the change two months forward. Unearned income greater than $694 offsets the SSI benefits for a month and you receive no check for that month.
Loss of Benefits by Resources
An SSI recipient who receives an inheritance, gift or income that increases resources over the $2,000 limit must report the resources to Social Security. Social Security evaluates the new resources and may require that the SSI recipient sell the resources or forfeit benefits. SSI often gives you time to sell the resource with an agreement to return SSI payments once you sell the resource.
Loss of Benefits by Failure to Report
Deception or failure to report a change in income, resources or living arrangements may impose a penalty on the SSI recipient. A recipient who hides resources or gives resources away violates SSI regulations. Penalties may include loss of benefits for 36 months. Selling resources at full value may also disqualify you for benefits for a period of time because it puts you over the resource limits.
References
- Social Security Online: Understanding Supplemental Security Income: SSI Spotlight on Getting SSI Benefits While You Try to Sell Excess Resources 2010 Edition
- Social Security Online: Understanding Supplemental Security Income: SSI Spotlight on Transfers of Resources 2010 Edition
- Social Security Online: Understanding Supplemental Security Income: SSI General Information 2010
- Social Security Online; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); June 2007
Writer Bio
Linda Richard has been a legal writer and antiques appraiser for more than 25 years, and has been writing online for more than 12 years. Richard holds a bachelor's degree in English and business administration. She has operated a small business for more than 20 years. She and her husband enjoy remodeling old houses and are currently working on a 1970s home.