Today marks a significant transformation for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries as the Social Security Administration (SSA) implements new rules that overhaul how rent subsidies and food assistance are handled. These changes will expand eligibility for SSI, increase monthly benefit amounts for many recipients, and simplify the application and maintenance processes. By removing food from
Income rules
What Assets Count When Applying for SSI?
Since its creation in 1972, the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program has provided financial support to low-income individuals who are over age 65 or have a disability.
In March 2024, more than 7.4 million people across the United States received SSI benefits.
What SSI Includes
Through SSI, qualifying individuals receive monthly payments intended to help with…
ISM eliminated by new federal regulation on “rental subsidies” by family members and other third parties on 9/30/24
The new rule changes paragraph (b) of the existing regulation on Inkind Support and Maintenance, 20 CFR 416.1130 to read as in new paragraph (b).
The old rule of paragraph (b) provided:
(b) How we define in-kind support and maintenance. In-kind support and maintenance means any food or shelter that is given to you…
More People to Qualify for SSI Under New Rental Subsidy Rule
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has published a final rule simplifying and expanding its rental subsidy program for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Effective September 30, 2024, the new rule is likely to allow more people to qualify for SSI. In addition, some current SSI recipients may see an increase in their monthly benefit amount as…
New POMS on Special Needs Trusts
The Social Security Administration published new POMS, the staff operating manual, on Special Needs Trusts. As Chair fo the Special Needs Trust Committee of the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section, I have set a meeting to review the new POMS in detail for March 19th, in Tampa.
Here’s a "CLEAN COPY" of the new 2009…
How to calculate parental deeming amounts
Although it is like filling out a tax return, it is possible to accurately calculate the amount of parents’ income that will be deemed against a disabled minor child’s SSI and Medicaid eligibility. The attached ARTICLE ON SSI DEEMING CALCULATIONS explains how.
The FORMS FOR CALCULATING PARENT TO CHILD, and FORMS FOR CALCULATING SPOUSE-TO-SPOUSE…
Deeming – 2009 SSI Breakeven Points
Attached is a TABLE OF SSI DEEMING BREAKEVEN POINTS, that is, how much income a parent of a minor child, a spouse, or a sponsor of an alien, could earn and still have the disabled SSI child, spouse, or alien be eligible for at least $1 of SSI benefits. Receiving at least $1 of…
2008 SSI Parental and Spousal Deeming Chart
The new 2008 Deeming Chart should be used by banks and other Special Needs Trust Administrators judiciously. Pay particular attention to the qualifications indicating when the trust may not be used, which appear at the end of the chart. Also be aware that these numbers increase annually, but a slight amount, due to changes in…
FSGA presentation on Social Security, SNT, and Medicare Changes
The organizers of the Florida State Guardianship Annual Convention asked me to prepare some comments on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – It Just Keeps Changing. The ten page paper highlights changes in how attorneys and guardians of disabled individuals will have to change the way they interact with SSA, video hearings, “paperless” medical…
Worker’s Compensation benefits and SSI
An attorney asked us, "How does the Social Security Administration treat Worker’s Compensation benefits for SSI eligibility purposes?"
WC weekly wage replacement payments. The SSI financial eligiblity rules require that a claimant have low income and few assets, which they call "resources." Weekly worker’s comp wage payments are treated as "unearned income" for SSI…