When applying for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) takes a lot of factors into account. Depending on what types of benefits you’re applying for, your income and other monetary resources may play a large role in determining what benefits you receive, or how much you can expect.
SSI Benefits
Income and Resources that will affect your SSI
If you’re applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is in part based on low-income needs, the SSA will take a look at many different types of income and resources. These include:
? Money you receive from work (which is called “earned” income)
? Money you receive from other sources such as SSDI benefits, pension, or alimony (this is called “unearned” income)
? Any sort of of free housing or food you get from non-government areas, such as if you stay with a family member for free (this is called “in-kind” income)
? Money that is earned by other people in your household (this is called “deemed” income)
Income and Resources that will NOT affect your SSI
While the SSA will determine much of your SSI benefits based on your income and resources, it does allow some income, which include:
? $20 in unearned income
? $65 in earned income, plus half of your earned income over $64
? Wages that are put towards work expenses for disabled persons
? Medical care
? Reimbursement of monies received from social services
? Food stamps
? Energy or housing assistance
SSDI Benefits
If you are applying for SSDI (Social Security Disability) benefits, the types of income allowed are very different and much more restricted. While SSI encourages you to work to help supplement yourself and earn a living, SSDI assumes you can’t work. Working and earning money on your own thereby shows the SSA that you don’t need SSDI benefits, and could cause you to lose them.
That being said, the SSA does allow you to earn a little bit of money, even while collecting SSDI. The limit you are allowed to earn and still collect SSDI benefits is knows as the SGA, or Substantial Gainful Activity, limit. In 2017, that limit is $1,170.
The good news, though, is that, unlike SSI benefits, the SSA does not count other forms of income, such as unearned, deemed, or in-kind income, towards your SGA limit. This means that the money coming in from a spouse, or the compensation you receive by staying for free at a relative’s house, does not count towards your income, and will not affect your SSDI benefits.
With so many rules, it can be quite confusing to figure all of this out. If you have any questions about your situation and what you need to know, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!
