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Supplemental Security Income. (SSI). Getting Acquainted with SSI. Here’s a great place to get your basic questions answered…. http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/506401.htm ENJOY!!. What is SSI?. SSI is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people who do
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Getting Acquainted with SSI Here’s a great place to get your basic questions answered…. • http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/506401.htm ENJOY!!
What is SSI? SSI is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people who do not have much income or own many things.
To get SSI, the claimant must: • Be 65 or older; or • Be totally or partially blind; or • Disabled; Claimant must have a medical condition that keeps him from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. (Disabled or blind children also can receive SSI. There are different rules for children. See http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10026.html
How much can a claimant get? The basic monthly SSI payment is the same nationwide. Not everyone gets the same amount. The claimant may get more if he lives in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment. Or he may get less if he or his family have other income. Where and with who the claimant lives with can determine if he qualifies for SSI and make a difference in the amount of his SSI payment.
Resources Resources counted in deciding whether one qualifies for SSI include real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks and bonds. How does one qualify for SSI? Income Income includes money earned, Social Security Benefits, pensions and the value of items received from someone else; such as food clothing and shelter.
Income Social Security does not count all of one’s income in deciding whether he qualifies for SSI. For example, they do not count: • The first $20/month of most income; • The first $65/month earned from working and half the amount over $65; • Food stamps • Shelter received from private nonprofit organizations
Income (cont.) If the claimant is married, Social Security also includes part of his spouse’s income and resources when deciding whether he qualifies for SSI.
Resources Social Security does not count everything claimant owns in deciding whether he has too many resources to qualify for SSI. For example, they do not count: • The home one lives in and the land it is on; • Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less; • Car (usually) • Burial plots for claimant and members of his immediate family; and • Up to $1,500 in burial funds for claimant and up to $1,500 in burial funds for his spouse.
Resources (cont.) Claimant may be able to get SSI if his resources (the things you own) are worth no more than $2,000 for a person or $3,000 for a couple.
Other Rules Claimant Must Meet To get SSI, claimant must live in the United States and be a U.S. citizen or national. In some cases, noncitizen residents can qualify for SSI. See http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11051.html
Overpayments • An overpayment occurs when a claimant receives more money for a month than the amount due. The amount of the overpayment is the difference between the amount received and the amount due.
What can cause an overpayment? • Income is more than estimated • Living situation changes • Marital status changes • Having more resources than allowable • No longer disabled and continue to receive benefits • Claimant does not report a change to SSA • SSA incorrectly figures benefits because of incorrect or incomplete information
What will SSA do if there is an overpayment? SSA will send claimant a notice explaining the overpayment and ask for a full refund within 30 days. If claimant is currently getting checks and does not make a full refund, the notice will: • propose to withhold the overpayment at the rate of 10 percent of the total income; • state the month the proposed withholding will start; • fully explain claimant’s rights; • explain how claimant can ask to have the overpayment waived, so he may not have to pay it back; and • explain how claimant can appeal the decision.
What can claimant do if he gets an overpayment notice? • If claimant believes he was not overpaid, he may request a reconsideration. If claimant appeals within 10 days of the date of the notice, any payment SSA is currently making will continue until they make a decision. • If claimant agrees he was overpaid, but feels that it was not his fault he can ask for a waiver at any time. If SSA grants a waiver, claimant will not have to repay the overpayment. To get a waiver granted, claimant must show (1) it was not his fault that he was overpaid and (2) he cannot pay back the overpayment he needs the money to meet his ordinary living expenses.
Aid Paid Pending Aid paid pending is a continuation of claimant’s benefits (at the same amount) until SSA makes a determination in an appeal. Claimant must appeal a decision within 10 days of receipt of the letter proposing the change in order to get aid paid pending.
Right to Appeal • If claimant disagrees with a decision made on his claim, he can appeal it. For an overview, go to the fact sheet at: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10141.html • The claimant has the right to be represented by an attorney or other qualified person of your choice. See http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10075.html
Visit the website http://www.ssa.gov is a valuable resource for information Apply for benefits Get the address of your local SSA Get forms to request important documents Call the 1-800 # You can also call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 TTY 1-800-325-0778 Contacting Social Security
SSI and OCRA • OCRA frequently assists consumers with SSI related matters. As you become more familiar with the work done at OCRA, you will begin to understand more about your role as an SSI advocate! • The next session is just a click away!
