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A Guide To SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI) ForGroups And Organizations

2008



Contacting Social Security

Visit our websiteOur website, www.socialsecurity.gov , is a valuable

resource for information about all of Social Security’sprograms. At our website, you also can:

• Applyforcertainkindsofbenets;

• FindtheaddressofyourlocalSocialSecurityofce;

• RequestareplacementMedicarecardoraSocialSecurity Statement;and

• Findcopiesofourpublications.

Call our toll-ree numberIn addition to using our website, you can call us

toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.Wecananswerspecicquestionsfrom7a.m.to7p.m.,MondaythroughFriday. We can provide information by automated

phoneservice24hoursaday.Ifyouaredeafor hardofhearing,youmaycallourTTYnumber, 1-800-325-0778.

Wetreatallcallscondentially.Wealsowanttomake sure you receive accurate and courteous service.ThatiswhywehaveasecondSocialSecurityrepre-sentativemonitorsometelephonecalls.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/





What’s inside

A guide to Supplemental Security Income

(SSI) or groups and organizations 4About this booklet 4

How institutions, groups andorganizations can help 5

SSI payments and state services 7

Who is eligible or SSI? 11

Inormation or people who getor apply or SSI 22

Helping people who get SSIgo back to work 26



A guide to Supplemental Security Income(SSI) or groups and organizations

Morethansevenmillionpeoplecurrentlyget

monthlypaymentsfromtheSupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI)program.Therearemanyotherpeoplewhomayqualify,buthavenotapplied.Youcanhelpustellelderly,blindanddisabledpeoplewhohavelittle income or resources about SSI.

About this booklet

SSIisafederalprogramthatgivesmonthlypaymentstopeoplewhoareage65orolderorareblindorhaveadisabilityandwhohavelowincomeandfewresources(thingsowned).

ThisbookletexplainstheSSIprogram.Itisdesignedtohelpinstitutions,groupsandorganizationsthathavecontactwithpotentialorcurrentSSIrecipients.

TheSocialSecurityAdministrationrunstheSSI program.SocialSecuritydecideswhoiseligible,makes payments and keeps a master record ofrecipients.EventhoughSocialSecurityrunstheprogram,SSIisnotSocialSecurity.SSIisnancedbyU.S.Treasurygeneralfunds,nottheSocialSecuritytrust funds.

YoucanndamoregeneraldescriptionoftheSSI program in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000).SocialSecurityalsohasYou May Be Able To Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (PublicationNo.05-11069).

4 S o c i a l S e c u r i t y

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html













How institutions, groups andorganizations can help

YoucanhelpspreadthewordaboutSSItopeoplewho

mightbeabletogetpayments.Sometimespeopleareafraidofdealingwith“the

government.”Organizationscanhelpcalmthesefearsbyassistingpeopleastheyapplyandwaitforadecision.Organizations can provide transportation to interviewsandhelppeoplegatherinformationneededtoapply(seepages22and23)orgetmedicalevidence.Youalso

canhelpthemcompletepartoftheirSSIdisabilityapplication online at www.socialsecurity.gov .

Help the homelessSSIcanhelpahomelesspersongethousingby

providingmonthlypayments,butapersondoesnotneedahometogetSSI.SocialSecuritycanmake

arrangementstogiveSSIpaymentstothehomeless.Anorganizationcanbeamaildroplettingthehome-lesspersonpickupchecksorotherimportantSocialSecurityinformationattheorganization’saddress.

Be a representative payeeSomepeoplecangetSSIbutcannotmanagetheir

money,soarepresentativepayeegetstheirSSIpay-mentsontheirbehalf.RepresentativepayeesareresponsibleforusingSSIpaymentsonbehalfoftherecipientstoprovidefortheircareandwell-being.

Someorganizationsthatserveaspayeeforveormorebeneciariesareallowedtochargeafeefor theirpayeeservicesifauthorizedbySocialSecurity

todoso.Theallowedmonthlyfeeis10percentof themonthlybenetor$30,whicheverisless.Formore information about serving as a payee, askfor A Guide For Representative Payees (PublicationNo.05-10076).

5w w w . s o c i a l s e c u r i t y . g o v













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Pre-release agreementsTohelppeoplemakethetransitiontothecommu-

nitywhentheyarereleasedfromapublicorprivatefacility,suchasaprisonormentalinstitution,peoplecan apply for SSI before being released, and an SSIpaymentcanbemaderightafterrelease.Institutionsand Social Security enter into a pre-release agreementwhichcanhelpthesepeoplereceiveSSIbenetssoonaftertheirrelease.

SSI payments while in an institutionMostpeoplewholiveinapublicinstitutionarenot

allowed to get a full SSI payment. But, a person maycontinue to get SSI payments during a stay in an insti-tution under certain conditions.

Institutionsandorganizationscanhelppeople continuetogettheircorrectSSIpaymentamountsbytellingSocialSecuritywhentheyenteraninstitution.

Seepages21-22formoreinformationontherulesforreceivingSSIwhileinaninstitution.

Help or low-income Medicare benefciariesIfapersonwithlowincomeandfewresourcesis

coveredbyMedicare,thestatemaypaytheMedicarepremiumsandotherout-of-pocketmedicalexpensessuchasdeductiblesandcoinsurance.Onlythestatecandecide.Tondout,contactthestateorlocalsocialservicesofceorMedicaidagency.Youcan getmoreinformationfromthepublication, I you

need help paying Medicare costs, there are programsthat can help save you money (PublicationNo.CMS-10126).Togetacopy,calltheMedicare

toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).Ifyouaredeaforhardofhearing,youmaycall TTY1-877-486-2048.

S o c i a l S e c u r i t y



SSI payments and state services

SSI payment rates

In2008,thehighestfederalSSIpaymentis$637amonthforapersonand$956amonthforacouple.StatesmayaddmoneytothefederalSSIpayments.

Statescanletthefederalgovernmentmanagethestatesupplement;thestatepaysthecosts.Oneappli-cationcoversboththefederalandstatepayments.

Statesmaychangethepaymentamountsbased

onwhereandwithwhompeoplelive.Also,thestatemayignoreadditionalamountsofincome.Seethechartonthenextpageforalistofthemaximumpaymentratesinstateswherethefederalgovernmentmanagesthestatesupplements.

Somestatesmanagetheirownsupplement.Inthosestates,peoplemustapplyforthesupplementwiththe

stateagency.Statesthatmanagetheirownsupplementare Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut,Florida,Idaho,Illinois,Indiana,Kentucky,Louisiana,Maine,Maryland,Minnesota,Missouri,Nebraska,NewHampshire,NewMexico,NorthCarolina,NorthDakota,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Texas,Virginia,Washington,

Wisconsin and Wyoming.






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Maximum payment amount to individual/couple livingindependently eective 1/2008

State Elderly Blind Disabled

California $870/$1,524 $935/$1,751 $870/$1,524

Delaware*$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

Hawaii$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

Iowa$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

Massachusetts $765.82/$1,157.72 $786.74/ $1,573.48 $751.39/$1,136.06

Michigan$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

Montana*$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

Nevada$673.40/$1,030.46

$746.30/$1,330.60

$637/$956

New Jersey $668.25/$981.36 $668.25/$981.36 $668.25/$981.36

NewYork$724/$1,060

$724/$1,060

$724/$1,060

Pennsylvania$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

RhodeIsland$694.35/$1,064.50

$694.35/$1,064.50

$694.35/$1,064.50

Utah $637/$956.60 $637/$956.60 $637/$956.60

Vermont$689.04/$1,054.88

$689.04/$1,054.88

$689.04/$1,054.88

Washington,D.C.

$637/$956

$637/$956

$637/$956

*Supplement available only to people in protective care arrangements.




How we fgure payment amountsBefore we begin paying someone SSI, we will send

himorheraletterthattellswhenpaymentsstartandhowmuchheorshewillget.

TherstSSIpaymentwillbemadefortherstfullmonthafterthepersonappliedorbecameeli-gibleforSSI.Theamountmaynotbethesameeverymonth.Theamountdependsonotherincomeandliv-ingarrangements.Wewilltellthepersoninadvancewheneverwechangetheamountofthepayment.

TheSSIamountusuallyisbasedontheperson’sincomefromtwomonthsbefore.Forexample,awomanlivinginCaliforniagetsa$500SocialSecuritywidow’spaymentanda$325SSIpayment. InJune,shebuysalotteryscratch-offcardandwins$200andreportsthattotheSocialSecurityofce.ThatmeansinAugust,herSSIpaymentwillbereducedto$125.Inthisexample,herSSIpayment willgobackto$325inSeptember.ThefederalSSIpaymentwillincreaseeachyear

tokeepupwiththecostofliving.TheseincreasesusuallywillbeintheJanuarypayment,whichisreceivedattheendofDecember.

Whenapersonbecomeseligibleagainafterbeingineligible, a person’s payment sometimes is proratedfromthedatethepersonbecomeseligiblethroughtheendofthemonth.Forexample,apersonwhobecomeseligibleonthe10thdayofthemonthwillgetanSSIpaymentbasedonthenumberofdaysfromthe10ththroughtheendofthemonth.Thepaymentamountisguredaccordingtotheperson’sincomeandwhereandwithwhomheorshelivesandisthenprorated.

ThebaseSSIpaymentisreducedbyone-thirdifapersonorcoupleislivinginanotherperson’shomeandgettingfood,shelterorothertypesofsupportfromthatperson.Thisreductiontakestheplaceof






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settingtheexactdollarvalueforthehelp.Supportisanyfood,clothingorshelterthatisgiventosomeone,or is received because someone else pays for it.

State servicesInadditiontothesupplementalpayments,the

statesprovidepeoplewhogetSSIwithMedicaidandotherservices.

Interim paymentsSomestatesandlocalsubdivisionsmake“interim

assistancepayments”topeoplewhiletheywaitforadecisiononwhethertheycangetSSI.Thestateorlocalgovernmentisreimbursedfromtheperson’srstSSI payment.

MedicaidInmoststates,peoplewhogetSSIgetMedicaid,

whichpayshealthcareexpenses.Insomestates,Medicaidisavailabletoadisabled

childage18oryoungerwhoreceiveshomecarethatcoststhegovernmentlessthaninstitutionalcare.Ifsomeone gives away or sells personal items for lessthanwhattheyareworthorthepersonisabene-ciaryofatrust,itmayaffectMedicaidcoverage.For

moreinformationaboutMedicaid,contactthestate orlocalsocialservicesofceorMedicaidagency.

Social servicesPeoplewhogetSSIsometimescangetsocialservices

fromthestate,cityorcounty.Dependingonwherethepersonlives,thesemayincludehomemakerservices

andarrangementsformealsortransportation.Moreinformationisavailableatthelocalpublicassistanceofceorsocialservicesdepartment.




Food stampsPeoplewhogetSSImightbeabletogetfoodstamps.

IfapersonlivesinahomewhereeveryoneisapplyingfororgettingSSI,thepersoncanapplyforfoodstampsataSocialSecurityofce.Ifapersondoesnotliveinahomewhereeveryone

isapplyingfororgettingSSI,heorshemustapplyforfoodstampsatthelocalfoodstampofce.

Who is eligible or SSI?

Who can get SSI?Peoplewithlowincomeandfewresources(things

owned)whoareage65orolderorareblindorhaveadisabilitymaybeabletogetSSI.Otherrequirementsareonpage19.

A person age 18 or older is considered disabled if

aphysicalormentalcondition(orcombinationof conditions)keepsthepersonfromworkingandisexpectedtolastatleast12monthsorresultindeath.

Achildunderage18maybeconsidereddisabled ifthechildhasaphysicalormentalcondition(orcombinationofconditions)thatresultsin“markedandseverefunctionallimitations”andisexpected

tolastatleast12monthsorresultindeath.Formoreinformationaboutbenetsforchildren,askforBenefts For Children With Disabilities (PublicationNo. 05-10026).

Apersonisconsideredblindifheorshehasvisionnobetterthan20/200oralimitedvisualeldof20degreesorlessinthebettereyewiththeuseof

eyeglasses.Apersonwhosesightisnotpoorenoughtobeconsideredblindmaystillqualifyasdisabled.












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What is income?SSIconsiders“income”anythingapersongetsthat

canbeusedforfood,clothingorshelter.Itincludescash,checksand“gift”itemsreceived,suchasfoodandshelter.

SSI divides income into two categories—earnedand unearned. Earned income includes wages, netearnings from self-employment, certain royalties andmoneyfromshelteredworkshops.UnearnedincomeincludesSocialSecuritybenets,workers’orveteran’scompensation, pensions, support and maintenance

inkind,annuities,rent,interestandotherincome not earned.

In2008,apersonmusthavelessthan$657amonthinunearnedincometoreceiveSSIbenets.AcouplecangetSSIiftheyhaveunearnedincomeoflessthan$976amonth.

Because a larger portion of earned income isdisregarded,apersonwhoreceivesSSIcanearnupto$1,359amonth($1,997foracouple)andstillcontinuereceiving SSI.

WhileweencouragepeoplewhoalreadyreceiveSSIbenetstowork,peoplewhoworkwhileapplyingforSSIbenetsbasedondisabilitycannotmakeasmuchinearnedincome.That’sbecausetheirabilitytowork

affectsourdisabilitydecision.ApersonwhoisjustnowapplyingforSSIdisabilitybenetsandearnsmorethan$940amonthprobablywillnotbeabletogetSSIbenets.

PeoplewholiveinastatethataddsmoneytothefederalpaymentcangetSSIeveniftheyhavemoreincome(seethechartonpage8).

IncomelowerstheamountofanSSIpayment.Butnoteverythingapersongetsisincome,andsomethingsthatareincomedonotcount.




What does not count as income?Medicalcareandservices(includingreimbursements•andpaymentofhealthinsurancepremiumsbyothers);

Socialservices;• Incomefromthesale,exchangeorreplacementof•resources(theseareconsideredresources);

Incometaxrefunds;•

Insuranceonchargeaccountsorothercreditaccounts;•

Proceedsofaloan;•

Billspaidbysomeoneelseforthingsotherthan•

food,clothingorshelter;Replacementoflostorstolenincome;•

Homeenergyassistance;•

$20amonthofearnedorunearnedincome(except•sometypesofunearnedincomebasedonneed,suchascertainveterans’pensions);

$65amonthofearnedincomeplusone-halfof• earnedincomeover$65amonthor,ifthereisnounearnedincome,$85amonthofearnedincomeplusone-halfoftherest;

Foodstampassistance;•

Governmentrefundsoftaxespaidonrealproperty•oronfoodpurchases;

Assistance based on need from a state or local• politicalsubdivisionorIndiantribe;

Amounts for tuition and fees paid from grants,•scholarshipsandfellowshipsandgiftsforeducationalexpenses;

Home-grownproduceconsumedbythehousehold;•

Irregularorinfrequentearnedincometotalingno•

morethan$30aquarter;Irregularorinfrequentunearnedincometotaling •nomorethan$60aquarter;






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Domestic commercial transportation tickets•receivedasgiftsandused;

Paymentsforgivingfostercaretoachildwhois•notgettingSSI,buthasbeenplacedbyanapproved

agencyinthehomeofsomeonewhogetsSSI;One-thirdofanychildsupportpaymentsfromthe•absentparent;

Earnings(upto$1,550amonth,butnomorethan•$6,240ayearin2008)ofapersonunderage22whoregularlyattendsschooloratrainingprogram;

GrantsorloanstostudentsfromtheDepartment•of Education’s or Bureau of Indian Affairs’educationalprograms;

Income needed by a blind or disabled person for•anapproved“planforachievingself-support” (seepage28);

Thecostofablindperson’sworkexpenses;•

Wagesusedtopayforitemsorservicesthathelp • adisabledpersonwork(seepage27);

Housingassistancefrommostfederalhousing•programs;

Compensation to volunteers from ACTION•programsrunbystateandlocalsubdivisions;

RestitutionpaymentsmadebytheU.S.government•

toJapanese-AmericansandAleutswhowereinternedorrelocatedduringWorldWarII;

PaymentsmadebytheAustriangovernmentunder•paragraphs500-506oftheAustrianGeneralSocialInsuranceAct;

AgentOrangesettlementpayments;•

ReparationspaymentsreceivedbyHolocaust•

survivorsfromtheFederalRepublicofGermany;Earnedincometaxcreditpayments;•




NetherlandsWUVpaymentstovictimsofpersecution•duringtheGermanandJapaneseoccupationsoftheNetherlandsandtheDutchEastIndies;

Relocationassistanceprovidedforfederalorfederally•

assistedprojectsorbystateorlocalgovernments;Assistancefurnishedinconnectionwitha•residentially declared disaster and any interestearnedontheassistance;

Mostfederaljudgmentdistributionpaymentsand•percapitapaymentsoffundsheldintrustbytheSecretaryoftheInteriormadetomembersofNative

Americantribes,includingpurchasesmadewithsuchpayments;

Upto$2,000annuallyofincomethatNative•AmericansgetfromtheirinterestsintrustorrestrictedIndianlands;

Interestwhichispaidonexcludedburialfundsand•lefttoaccumulate;

Any interest earned and left to accumulate as part•ofthevalueofanexcludedburialspacepurchaseagreement;

Interestanddividendsearnedonotherresources, •inmanycases;

Food,clothingorshelterinanonprotretirement•homeorsimilarinstitutionthatisprovidedorpaidforbyanonprotorganizationthatisnotexpresslyobligatedtodoso;

Food,clothing,shelterandhomeenergyassistance•providedbyaprivatenonprotorganizationiftheassistanceisbasedonneedascertiedbythestate;

Homeenergyassistanceprovidedbycertainhome•

energysuppliersiftheassistanceisbasedonneedandiscertiedbythestate;

Victims’compensationpayments;and•

PaymentsfromtheRadiationExposure•Compensation trust fund.






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Other income rulesIfonlyonememberofacouplequaliesforSSI,part

oftheineligiblemember’sincomemaybeconsideredtheeligiblespouse’saswell.

Ifaneligiblecoupleseparates,eachpersonistreatedasanindividualstartingwiththerstmonthaftertheyseparate.

Ifanunmarriedchildunderage18islivingathome,someoftheparents’incomemaybeconsideredthechild’sincome.Allowancesaremadefortheparentsandforotherchildrenlivinginthehome.Theremainingparentalincomeisincludedwiththechild’stodecideifthechildcangetSSI.

Monthly wage reportingIfanSSIrecipientworks,orsomebodyinthe

householdwhoseincomemayaffecttherecipientworks(see“Otherincomerules”),westronglyencouragemonthlywagereportingasawaytomakesure SSI payments are accurate and on time. Becauseitistheresponsibilityofthebenecaryorpayeetoreportwages,notreportingthemontimemayresultintheSSIrecipientowingmoneytoSocialSecurity.Submittingpaystubsontimeeverymonthwill

ensure accurate and timely SSI payments.

Temporary Assistance or Needy Families(TANF)TheSSIprogramallowsapersontogetbothSSI

and TANF payments, but TANF is considered incomefor SSI purposes. However, most states will not pay

TANFtoSSIrecipients.CheckwiththeTANFagencyin your state.




Resources (things owned)ForapersontogetSSI,theresources,orthingsa

personowns,mustbeworthnomorethan$2,000;acouple’sresourcescanbeworthupto$3,000.

ThehigherlimitappliestoacoupleevenifonlyonemembercangetSSI.Thecouple’sresourcesarecountedasifbothmemberswereeligible.

Ifaneligiblecoupleseparates,eachpersonwillbetreatedasanindividualstartingwiththerstmonthaftertheyseparate.

Ifanunmarriedchildunderage18islivingathomeandtheparents’resourcesexceed$3,000($2,000ifonlyoneparent),theexcessmaybeconsideredthechild’s.

Money,whetherincashoranaccount,isconsideredaresourceinthemonthafteritisreceived,inmostcases.Sometimes money does not count as a resource for alimitedperiodoftimebutthenbecomesacountableresourceifitisnotspentwithinthegiventimelimit.

Insomecases,apersonmayreceivemoneythatdoesnotcountasincomewhenreceivedbutdoescountasaresourceafterreceived.Thenextsectiongivessomeexamples.

What resources do not count?

WedonotcounteverythingapersonownswhenwedecidewhetherapersoncangetSSI.Wedonotcountthefollowing:

Ahome(andadjacentland)whereapersonlives;•

Personaleffectsorhouseholdgoodswithatotal•valueof$2,000orless.Ifthetotalvalueismorethan$2,000,theamountover$2,000counts.The

valueiswhatanitemcanbesoldfor,lesstheamountofanylegaldebtagainstit;

Onecar,usually;•






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Lifeinsurancepolicieswithatotalfacevalueof•$1,500orlessperperson;

Burial plots or spaces for a person and immediate•family;

Burialfundsofupto$1,500perpersonforaperson•andspouseifspecicallysetasideforburial.Thisamountwillbereducedbytheamountofanylifeinsurancepolicy;

Propertyneededforaperson’sself-support.This•includes property used in a trade or business or bytheindividualasanemployee,nonbusinessincome-

producing property and property used to produceessential goods and services (like rental property orlandusedtoproducefoodforhomeconsumption);

Thingsthatapersonwhoisblindordisabledneeds•foranapproved“planforachievingself-support”(seepage28);

Disaster assistance and certain native corporation•stocksheldbynativesofAlaska;Any retroactive SSI payments or retroactive Social•Security payments are not counted as resources forninemonthsaftertheyarereceived.Thisgivestimetomakepurchasesorpaymentsondebtsthatwentunpaidwhilewaitingforthebackpayments.Anyretroactivepaymentsleftoverafterninemonths

willcountasaresource;Crime victims’ compensation payments for nine•monthsaftertheyarereceived;

Grants,scholarships,fellowshipsandgiftsfor•tuitionandfeespaidforeducationexpensesfor ninemonthsafterthemonththeyarereceived;

State and local government relocation assistance•forninemonthsafteritisreceived;and

Earnedincometaxcreditsforninemonths•followingthemonththeyarereceived.




Other rules about resourcesApersonwhoownsmorethanisallowedbecauseof

propertythatcannotbesoldquicklymaystillbeableto get SSI payments by signing an agreement to selltheexcessresources.

Ifapersongivesawayorsellsaresourceforlessthanitisworth,theremaybeaperiodofineligibilityforSSI.ThegiftorsalealsomaymakehimorherineligibleforMedicaidcoverageofnursinghomeservices.

Shared resources and incomeThefederallawdoesnotrequiresupportbyrelatives.

But,indecidingwhethersomeonecangetSSI,weconsiderahusbandandwifewholivetogethertobesharingtheirincomeandresources,andachildtobesharingtheirparents’incomeandresources.

Other rulesInadditiontobeingage65orolder,blindordisabled

andmeetingthelimitsonincomeandresources,apersonmustmeetotherrequirementstoqualifyforSSI. Generally, you need to be a U.S. citizen to receiveSSI,buttherearesomeexceptions.

Residence and citizenship

TogetSSI,apersonmustliveintheU.S.ortheNorthernMarianaIslands(exceptforchildrenof military personnel and students temporarily abroad).U.S. citizens and nationals can get SSI, and sometimesnoncitizenswhoareU.S.residents.Formoreinformation, ask for Supplemental Security Income(SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051).











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Sponsored noncitizensWhetherasponsorednoncitizencangetSSIdepends

ontheincomeandresourcesofthesponsor,thesponsor’sspouseandonthenoncitizen’sownresourcesandincome.Theresourcesandincomeofthesponsor(andthesponsor’sspouse)areconsideredtobethenoncitizen’sandarecountedwhendecidingwhetherthenoncitizencangetSSIandtheamountofpayment.

FornoncitizenswhosesponsorssignedlegallyenforceableafdavitsofsupportonDecember19,1997,orlater,thesponsor’sincomeandresourcesmaybe

counteduntilthenoncitizenbecomesaU.S.citizenorworks 10 years. Contact us for more information aboutsponsor income.

Leaving the United StatesIfsomeoneleavesthe50states,theDistrictof

ColumbiaortheNorthernMarianaIslandsforan

entirecalendarmonth,nopaymentcanbemadeforthatmonth.For SSI, Puerto Rico is considered to beoutside the United States and people who move toPuerto Rico cannot get SSIAlso,onceapersonhasbeenoutsidethecountryfor

30 or more days in a row, payments cannot start againuntilthepersonhasbeenbackintheUnitedStates,

theDistrictofColumbiaortheNorthernMarianaIslandsfor30daysinarow.Ifapersonisoutofthecountryforlessthanamonth,thereisnochangeintheSSIpayment.

TherearespecialrulesfordependentchildrenofmilitarypersonnelwholeavetheU.S.TheymaybeabletogetorapplyforSSIwhileoverseas.Thereare

alsoexceptionsforstudentsstudyingabroad.




Applying or other beneftsPeoplewhogetorapplyforSSImustapplyforany

othercashbenetstheymightbeabletoget.PeoplewhogetSSImightbeabletogetSocialSecurity,too.

People in institutionsPeoplewholiveincityorcountyresthomes,

halfwayhouses,prisonsorotherpublicinstitutionsusuallycannotgetSSI.Buttherearesomeexceptions.

Apersonwholivesinapubliclyoperated•communityresidencethatservesnomorethan16people may be able to get SSI.Apersonwholivesinapublicinstitutionprimarily•to attend approved educational or vocationaltrainingprovidedintheinstitutionmaybeabletogetSSIifthetrainingisdesignedtopreparetheperson for employment.

If a person is in a public or private medical•treatmentfacilityandMedicaidispayingmorethan halfthecostofhisorhercare,thepersonmaybeabletogetSSI.Achildinapublicorprivatemedical treatment facility may be able to get SSI ifMedicaidorprivateinsuranceispayingmorethanhalfthecostofcare.Inthesecases,theSSIpaymentisusuallynomorethan$30amonth,plusany

additionalmoneypaidbythestate.Apersonwholivesinapublicemergencyshelter •forthehomelesscangetSSIforuptosixmonthsduringanynine-monthperiod.

SomepeoplewhogetSSIandwhowereworking•before entering an institution may be able to keepgettingSSIforthersttwofullmonthsintheinstitution.






22

ApersonwhogetsSSImaybeabletokeep •getting it during a temporary stay in a medicalinstitution if:

Adoctorcertiesthatthepersonisexpectedtobe—

intheinstitutionthreemonthsorless;andThepersonmaintainsandpaysexpenses—associatedwithpermanentlivingexpenses.

Wemusthaveevidenceoftheabovebythe90thdayafterthepersonenterstheinstitutionorbythedateofdischarge,whicheverisearlier.

Inormation or people who get or applyor SSI

Applying or SSIPeople can apply for SSI by visiting a Social Security

ofceorcallingusforanappointment.Additionally,it

is possible to complete a large part of an application forSSIdisabilitybenetsonlineatwww.socialsecurity.gov .Parentsorguardiansusuallycanapplyforachildunderage18.Itishelpfultohavethefollowinginformationbefore applying:

SocialSecuritycardornumber;•

Birthcerticateorotherproofofage;•

Homeinformation,suchasamortgagereceiptor•leaseandlandlord’sname;

Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies,•carregistration,burialfundrecordsandotherinformationaboutincomeandresources;

Names,addressesandtelephonenumbersofdoctors,•hospitalsandclinics(ifapplyingduetodisabilityorblindness);andProofofU.S.citizenshipornoncitizenstatus.•






Peopleshouldapplyeveniftheydonothaveallthethingslisted.Wecanhelpthemgetwhatisneeded.

How we handle SSI applications

TheSocialSecurityofcetakesapplicationsandevaluates evidence of identity, income and resources.Theofcedeterminesifarepresentativepayeeisneeded and, if so, appoints one.

Ifthepersonapplyingseemstomeetalltherequirementsandneedsmoneyrightawayduetoanemergency,theSocialSecurityofcemayissuean

emergencyadvancepayment.UsuallywecollecttheamountoftheadvancepaymentfromtheSSIbackpayortherstsixSSIpayments.If,however,thepersonisnoteligibleforbenets,theadvancepaymentmayhavetoberepaid.

For a person age 65 or older,theSocialSecurityofcedecidesifheorshewillgetSSI.

For a disabled or blind claimant getting SocialSecuritydisabilitybenets,theSocialSecurity ofcemaymaketheSSIdecisionwithoutaformalmedical decision.

For a disabled or blind claimant not gettingSocialSecuritydisabilitybenets,aformalmedicaldecisionisneeded.Itismadebythestatedisability

determinationservice.Thestateagencyreviewsallmedicalevidencesubmittedandrequestsadditionalevidence if needed.

ApersonapplyingforSSIwhohasaveryseveredisabilitycanbecalled“presumptivelydisabled”or“presumptivelyblind”andcangetpaymentsforup tosixmonthswhilethestateagencydeterminesif

thepersonisdisabledorblind.Thesepaymentswillnothavetobepaidbackiftheclaimantisfoundnotto be disabled or blind.






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What to reportApersonwhogetsSSI(orhisorherrepresenta-

tivepayee)mustreportallchangesthatmightaffecteligibilityorpayment.Achangemustbereportedwithin 10 daysafterthemonthinwhichitoccurs.

NOTE: I people do not report changes to us in atimely way, they can be penalized. With a penalty,they can lose money rom their check. This amount is rom $25 up to $100. I we fnd out that people gaveus alse inormation or withheld important inorma-

tion on purpose, we can stop their benefts rom six to 24 months.

People who get SSI must report:Changesinincome,resources,livingarrangements•andmaritalstatus;

Iftheyenterorleaveaninstitution;•

Iftheiraddresschanges;•IftheyleavetheUnitedStatesortheNorthern•MarianaIslands(PuertoRicoisconsideredoutsidetheU.S.forSSIpurposesonly,andpeoplewhomovetoPuertoRicoareineligibleforSSI);and

Iftheyareeeingtoavoidprosecution,arefugitive•felons or are violating a condition of probation orparole imposed under state or federal law.

Married people who get SSI mustreportchangesintheirspouse’sincomeandresources.

I the person getting SSI is a child younger than age18livingwithhisorherparents,anychangeintheparents’ income and resources must be reported.

People getting SSI who are blind or have a disabilitymustletSocialSecurityknowiftheygotowork,becomeself-employedortheirconditionimproves.




Students between ages 18 and 22mustreportiftheystartorstopgoingtoschool.

The income o children who do not get SSI mayaffecttheamountofSSIpayabletotheirparentsortoasiblinggettingSSI.Recipientsmustreportchangesintheincomeofchildrenwholiveintheirhousehold.Theymustalsoreportchangesintheschoolattendanceofchildrenages20-24andtelluswhenachildinthehouseholdreachesage18(orage22 if a student).

I a noncitizen has a sponsor,theSSIrecipientmust

reportchangesintheincomeandresourcesofthesponsorandthesponsor’sspouse.

SomeoneshouldnotifyusifapersonwhogetsSSIcannotmanagemoneyordies.Reportscanbemadebyphone,mailorinpersonatanySocialSecurityofce.

Social Security gives detailed reporting responsibili-tiestopeoplewhogetorapplyforSSI.

Right to appealApersonhastherighttoappealadecisionmade

abouthisorherSSI(exceptsomestatedecisions).

Ifapersondisagreeswiththedecision,heorshehas60daystoappeal.Formoreinformation,ask

for Your Right To Question A Decision Made OnYour Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claim (Publication No. 05-11008).

NOTE: People who frst fle a claim on orater August 1, 2006, in Connecticut, Maine,Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island andVermont should ask or “Your Right To Question

A Decision Made on Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claim” (Publication No. 05-11508).



















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SSI reviewsThelawrequiresthatweregularlyreviewthecase

ofeachpersongettingSSI.Thisreviewiscalleda“redetermination.”

WewillaskthepersongettingSSItoprovideinfor-mation about income, resources, bank accounts andwhereandwithwhomheorshelives.Itisagoodideatokeepbankaccountstatementsbecausetheymaybeneededfortheredetermination.

Insomecases,theredeterminationcanbedoneby

mailortelephone.Inothercases,wewillasktheper-sontovisittheSocialSecurityofceforaninterview.LocalSocialSecurityofcesnotifythepersonwhenitistimeforhisorherredetermination.

Medical reviewsWereviewdisabilitycasestobesurethepersonis

still disabled. We may ask for new medical evidenceandaskthepersontohavespecialexamsortests.Thefrequencyofthesemedicalreviewsdependsonhowseveretheimpairmentisandwhethermedicalimprovementisexpected.Apersonwhosemedicalconditionisexpectedtoimproveusuallyhashisorhercasereviewedsixto18monthsafterpaymentsstart.

Helping people who get SSI go back to workThereareavarietyofrulestoencouragepeople

whoareblindorwhohaveadisabilitytowork.Formore detailed information, ask for Working WhileDisabled—How We Can Help (Publication No.05-10095).












Ticket to WorkMostpeoplewhogetSSIbecausetheyaredisabled

orblindcangeta“ticket”forvocationalrehabilita-tionandotheremploymentsupportservicesfromanapprovedprovideroftheirchoice.Apersonusingaticketgenerallywillnotneedtohavearegularlyscheduledmedicalreview.Formoreinformation,askfor Your Ticket To Work (PublicationNo.05-10061).

Deductions or work expensesIndecidingwhetherapersonwhoisdisabledcan

getSSIandinguringtheSSIpaymentamount,someimpairment-relatedworkexpensescanbedeductedfrom earned income. Social Security must approveeachdeductionandtheamount.Thefollowingworkexpensesusuallyaredeductible:

• Wheelchairs,respirators,bracesandothermedicaldevices;

• Attendantcareservices,suchasassistancegoingtoandfromworkoraninterpreterforthedeaf;

• One-handedtypewriters,telecommunicationsdevicesforthedeafandotherwork-relatedequipment;

• Regularlyprescribeddrugsandmedicalservicesneededtocontrolamedicalcondition;

• Homemodications,suchasrampsorrailings outsidethehomethatimprovemobility;and

• Expendablemedicalsuppliesandothermiscella-neousexpenses.

BlindpeoplewhogetSSIarealloweddeductionsfromtheirearnedincomeforworkexpensesinadditiontothosementionedabove.Examplesare

federal,stateandSocialSecuritytaxes;guidedogexpenses;routinetransportationcoststoandfromwork;anduniondues.Theseworkexpenseswill










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bedeductedbeforeguringablindrecipient’sSSIeligibility or payment amount.

Continuation o payments and Medicaid

SSI payments may be paid to disabled persons eveniftheywork.Asearningsincrease,theamountoftheSSIpaymentisreduced.Evenifaperson’scashpaymentsstopbecauseofwages,thepersonmaybeabletokeepMedicaidcoverage.

Plan or achieving sel-support

Underaplanforachievingself-support,apersonwhoisdisabledorblindcansetasideincomeandresourcesforaworkgoal.Thefundsmustbeusedtopayforthingsneededtoreachthegoal,suchasvocationaltraining,education,purchasingwork-relatedequipmentorstartingabusiness.Thefundssetasidewillnotcountindecidingwhetheraperson

cangetSSIorhowmuchheorshecanreceive.Thepersonmusthavearealisticworkgoal,a

specicsavingsorspendingplan,andmustaccountforthemoneythatissetaside.Thepersonmustfollowtheplan,butcannegotiaterevisionsifneeded.

A vocational counselor, social worker, employer,Social Security representative or anyone else may

helpapersondevelopthisplan.SocialSecuritywillevaluatetheplananddecideifitisacceptable.

Itisimportanttorememberthatapersonwhocurrentlydoesnothaveaplanmaysetrealisticgoalstobecomeself-supporting.Heorshemaycreateaplanforachievingself-supporttomovetowardthosegoals.

Quick beneft restartApersonwhoreturnstoworkbutndswithinve

yearsthatheorshecannotcontinuetoworkbecause ofadisabilitycanhavebenetsrestartedwithoutling




anewapplication.Apersoncangetuptosixmonths ofprovisionalpaymentswhileweverifyadisability stillexists.

Ifwendthatthepersonisstilldisabled,regularSSI

paymentswillstartifallotherrequirementsaremet.Ifthepersonisnotfoundtobedisabled,these

provisional payments usually do not need to be paid back.






Social Security AdministrationSSA Publication No. 05-11015ICN 480300Unit of Issue - Package of 25

social security: 11015

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