What Is SSI?

    There are several types of disability benefits that come from the Social Security Administration. One important type is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You must be able to prove you're disabled to get SSI but that alone isn't enough. There's always something else besides disability you have to prove to get any type of Social Security disability benefits. In the case of SSI you must be poor. There are two aspects of being poor enough for SSI. You have to have a low income plus you must have low resources. By low resources, Social Security means countable resources below $2,000. Not everything counts, though. A house, if you're living in it doesn't count. One car doesn't count. Ordinary sorts of jewelry, like an engagement ring, doesn't count. Household furniture and appliances don't count. Still, $2,000 is low. It's easy to go over that and lose your SSI at least temporarily. If you do lose SSI due to excess resources, you have 12 months to again become eligible without having to start over with a new claim.

    Here are some thing to avoid if you're on or hope to get on SSI:

• Giving away things you own to become eligible for SSI. This doesn't work. It results in long periods of ineligibility.
• Letting others hold money for you so you can go below $2,000. It's still your money so you're  still ineligible. If you get some lump sum of money while on SSI or trying to get on SSI, Social Security is going to ask what you did with the money.
• Holding money for other people. That can look like its your money.

     What can you do if you receive a lump sum of money while you're on or trying to get on SSI, such as a personal injury settlement or an inheritance? Here are some things that work:

• Pay off your debts, including your home mortgage.
• Make home repairs.
• Replace worn out appliances or furniture.
  
• Replace your old car with something better.
• Buy some new clothes.
  
• Spend some money to make a trip to see friends or relatives you haven't seen in a while.
  

    There's way more that can be said about SSI income and resource policies. Consult Social Security or an attorney, like my law firm, if you have questions.

If you're in NC and want help with your Social Security disability claim, call Hall & Rouse, P.C. at 1-866-425-5347