| Counseling
Individuals Who Receive Both Social Security And SSI Benefits.
One
of the biggest challenges for Benefits Specialists, when examining
the benefits that individuals receive, is keeping them all in mind
during the analysis. This process begins when a person receives
both SSI and a Social Security disability benefit. Both "rooms"
are open at the same time.
If
the person receives both Title II and Title XVI (SSD and SSI), open
the SSD room first, then once you figure it out, look into the SSI
room.
• First, calculate the effect of projected earnings on the
Social Security Disability (SSD) payments.
• Then use the projected SSD benefits with the estimated wages
to calculate SSI payments.
Here
are some things to remember.
Counseling Individuals Who Receive Both Social Security And SSI
Benefits.
| SSI |
SSDI |
| SSI
is a needs-based poverty program paid under Title XVI of the
Social Security Act. |
Social
Security Disability benefits are a type of social insurance
paid because of contributions made through FICA taxes. Authorized
by Title II of the Social Security Act. |
| Looks
at income received in a month. |
Interested
in what work activity was performed in the month. |
| May
only use Subsidy in the month the person applies. At that
time, subsidy is used to help determine if the person is performing
Substantial Gainful Activity. |
May
use Subsidy at any time, except during the Trial Work Period. |
| The
SSA will deduct the cost of IRWE to reduce countable income
for benefit calculation purposes. |
The
SSA will deduct IRWE from gross earnings to help determine
if the person is performing Substantial Gainful Activity. |
| Blind
work expenses (BWE) apply under the SSI program if the individual
meets the standard for statutory blindness. |
Blind
work expenses never exist under the SSD programs. |
| There
is no such thing as an Unsuccessful Work Attempt in the SSI
program once the person is entitled. If it is income in the
month, it must be considered for SSI calculation purposes.
|
May
use the Unsuccessful Work Attempt provision to help determine
if the individual is performing SGA after the TWP, and before
the Cessation month. |
| Unearned
income has a profound effect on the amount an SSI beneficiary
receives. |
Unless
it is a government pension for work not covered by FICA, or
it is Worker's Compensation benefits, unearned income never
affects benefits paid under Title II of the Social Security
Act. |
| Has
an asset limit for individuals and couples. |
There
is no resource limit at all. Bill Gates would be due a disability
payment if he met the disability criteria. |
Terri
Uttermohlen
|
