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
Resource 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…
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…
Disability Savings Accounts – H.R. 1205
Congratulations and a big thank you to our Florida Congressmen, Ander Crenshaw and Kendrick Meek, who have introduced legislation to allow families to plan for their loved ones with some significant tax saings. Information on the bill follows. To see the bill in its entirety, click on H.R. 1205.
Disability Savings Accounts
The bipartisan Achieving …
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…
SSI Regional Chief Counsel Opinion Letters on Special Needs Trusts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has provided attorneys and the general public with very useful information on their analysis of Special Needs Trusts – are you eligible or ineligible if you have such a trust. There are a lot of ways that attorneys can inadvertently cause a Special Needs Trust to be found in violation…
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…
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…
Special Needs Trust “Sole Benefit Rule” and Support of Spouse and Children
There are no clear instructions from the Social Security Administration on whether a trustee of a Special Needs Trust can use a disabled person’s d4A Special Needs Trust to support a healthy spouse and dependent children.
For statutory and policy reasons, we argue, not only can a trustee use a disabled beneficiary’s self-settled SNT funds in…
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…