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5.1.0 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
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Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series |
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7/9/99 |
I. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a
federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) which
provides financial support for individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled and
have limited income and resources. The maximum monthly benefit amount an
individual can receive is $500. This is known as the Federal Benefit Rate
(FBR). The amount of the monthly cash payment will vary from person to person,
and is affected by many other factors including year, state, living
arrangements, amount earned, and work incentives. Therefore, some individuals
will receive the maximum amount, while others may receive less. The amount of
the monthly payment for an individual is determined by other income received.
Financial support provided by SSI can help
pay basic living expenses. This can be especially helpful while young adults
are making the transition from school to work, during periods of training or
attending post-secondary education, or while working at low-paying or part-time
employment. Individuals who receive SSI are eligible for Medicaid benefits that
can pay health care expenses, such as doctor appointments, therapy, and
prescription drugs.
II. KEY POINTS
Eligibility:
The SSA uses the following factors to
determine eligibility for SSI:
The presence of a physical or mental
disability which is expected to last for at least 12 months and prevents the
individual from doing any Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA is usually defined as earning more than $700 a
month; however, guidelines are different for individuals who are blind and
individuals who are self-employed. Information provided by the individual
applying and medical personnel is used to determine the presence of a
disability.
Lack of or limited income. Income includes earned income from work and unearned
income from sources such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI);
pensions; interest on savings; veteran's benefits; alimony; child support;
friends or relatives; and free food, clothing, or shelter. Rules regarding
earned and unearned income are:
·
Earned income must be
less than $1,085 a month.
(If blind, less than $1,110 a month.)
·
Unearned income must be
less than $520 a month.
Lack of or limited resources. Resources cannot exceed $2000 if
single, $3000 if married. Resources are items owned, such as: cash in checking
and savings accounts; land; and life insurance (above a certain amount). An
individual's home is excluded, as is his/her car if it is used to get to and
from work or for medical transportation.
Prior to age 18, some of the income and
resources of the parents may be considered as belonging to a child and will be
taken into account when the SSA is determining eligibility for benefits. Young
adults who were ineligible for SSI before age 18 due to parents' income and
resources can reapply at age 18, as the parents' income and resources are no
longer factored into the eligibility determination. If individuals disagree
with an eligibility determination made by the SSA, the decision may be
appealed. All decisions made by the SSA are rendered in writing and include
information on the appeals process.
If, after careful investigation, the SSA
determines an individual is unable to manage or direct the management of
benefits, SSI payments will be made to a "representative payee". A
relative, friend, or another interested party may serve as the
"representative payee" and must use the money for the needs of the
SSI recipient.
Work Incentives:
Changes have been made in the Social Security
laws that make it possible for recipients of SSI to work without losing needed
benefits. These changes, called Work Incentives, help individuals maintain SSI
eligibility and Medicaid benefits while working. For more information on Work
Incentives, contact a local or district Social Security office and ask to speak
to a Work Incentives Liaison. The SSI Work Incentives are:
·
Impairment-Related Work
Expenses (IRWE);
·
Earned Income Exclusion;
·
Student Earned Income
Exclusion;
·
Blind Work Expenses;
·
Plan for Achieving
Self-Support (PASS);
·
Property Essential to
Self-Support;
·
Section 1619 Work
Incentives; and
III. ROLES/NEXT STEPS
Students/Young Adults:
Young adults who think they may be eligible
for SSI payments should contact the SSA. Personnel in local or district offices
can provide information on eligibility and the application process. If support
or assistance is wanted or needed, young adults should contact the nearest
Social Security office or ask a family member or friend for help.
Young adults who are working or would like to
work should talk with family members and agency personnel and ask for
information about how working will affect SSI benefits. They should learn about
Work Incentives and ask adults supporting them in their transition to help them
access programs.
When applying for SSI, having the information
listed below readily available will help make the eligibility determination
process move faster. However, young adults should not wait to apply for SSI,
even if they don't have all this information. This information includes:
·
Social Security number;
·
medical records from
doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers;
·
laboratory and test
results;
·
names, addresses, and
phone and fax numbers of doctors, clinics, and hospitals;
·
names of all medications
being taken; and
·
names of employers and
job duties for the last 15 years.
If assistance is needed to understand the SSI
program or the application process, personnel in Families Helping Families
Regional Offices can provide information and assistance.
Families:
Families who think their son or daughter may
be eligible for SSI payments should provide needed assistance when applying for
benefits at the nearest Social Security office. Personnel in these offices can
provide information on eligibility and the application process. (Note the items
listed above that should be available to make the eligibility determination
process move faster.)
When discussing the transition to employment
with agency personnel, families should ask about various Work Incentives for
which their son/daughter may be eligible. If incentives are identified, they
should help their son/daughter apply.
Agencies:
Transition personnel at Local Education
Agencies (LEAs) and adult service agencies should learn about the SSI program
so that information and assistance can be provided to young adults and
families. They should attend workshops and/or conferences that provide
information on this and other social security topics. Social Security offices
have brochures and other printed materials about programs that can be shared
with young adults and their families. This information is also available at the
SSA website (see the Resources/Contact section of this fact sheet).
Agency representatives should offer
informational workshops on this and other Social Security topics for young
adults and families. Personnel in local or district Social Security offices can
be contacted to provide information about programs.
As requested, personnel from the SSA should
attend meetings at which transition to employment is discussed. They can also
serve on a local interagency transition team. By providing information to LEAs,
families, and young adults, SSA personnel can help young adults plan for
employment without the fear of losing needed benefits prematurely.
IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS
Families Helping Families Regional Offices
Acadiana: 800-378-9854
Bayouland: 800-331-5571
At the Crossroads: 800-259-7200
Greater Baton Rouge: 888-511-5299
Greater New Orleans: 800-766-7736
Northeast LA: 888-300-1320
Northshore: 800-383-8700
Northwest LA: 888-989-0315
Southwest LA: 800-894-6558
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213 (voice) or 1-800-325-0778
(TTY)
Website: http://www.ssa.gov
Social Security and You Teacher's Kit
This is a set of materials designed for high
school students that explains the Social Security system. It includes five
lessons, fact sheets, student handouts, and quizzes. The handouts are in large
print suitable for use as blackline masters for transparencies or overhead
projectors. It can be obtained by mail, or downloaded from the SSA's website
(see above). A 25-minute videotape is also available. If you would like a copy,
send a blank 60-minute VHS videotape with your mailing information to: Social
Security, 4-J-8 WHR, Baltimore, MD 21235. Be sure to tell them you want the
Teachers Kit tape duplicated. This service is free.
V. REFERENCES
Social Security Administration Office of
Disability. (January, 1996). Graduating to Independence. [Available via
Internet: http://www.ssa.gov]
Social Security Administration. (January,
1999). Social Security Update 1999. [available via internet:
http://www.ssa.gov]
National Transition Network (January, 1998). Parent
Brief, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program.