Social Security & SSI Benefits Social Security & SSI Benefits for Childrenfor Children

The Social Security The Social Security Administration manages two Administration manages two distinctly different programs distinctly different programs

that provide benefits based on that provide benefits based on disability or blindnessdisability or blindness

SSDI (Social Security Disability SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)Insurance)

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Social Security (SSDI)Social Security (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled or blind provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are "insured" by workers' individuals who are "insured" by workers' contributions to the Social Security Trust contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund. These contributions, required by the Fund. These contributions, required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) are based on your earnings, or those of your are based on your earnings, or those of your spouse or your parents. Title II of the Social spouse or your parents. Title II of the Social Security Act authorizes SSDI benefits. Security Act authorizes SSDI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income Supplemental Security Income (SSI)(SSI)

The Supplemental Security Income The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program makes cash assistance (SSI) program makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind, and payments to aged, blind, and disabled individuals (including disabled individuals (including children under age 18) who have children under age 18) who have limited income and resources. The limited income and resources. The Federal Government funds SSI from Federal Government funds SSI from general tax revenues. general tax revenues.

SOME FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL SOME FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY:SECURITY:

Children may receive benefits on a parent’s Children may receive benefits on a parent’s Social Security record if the parent is Social Security record if the parent is deceased or on Social Security deceased or on Social Security

These benefits end at age 18 (age 19 if still These benefits end at age 18 (age 19 if still in high school)in high school)

Adult children may receive benefits on a Adult children may receive benefits on a parent’s record if they were disabled prior to parent’s record if they were disabled prior to age 22.age 22.

The minimum work required for an The minimum work required for an individual to draw Social Security on his or individual to draw Social Security on his or her own record is reduced for individuals her own record is reduced for individuals disabled prior to age 31.disabled prior to age 31.

SSI Basic Eligibility SSI Basic Eligibility RequirementsRequirements

Age 65 or older, blind, or disabled; Age 65 or older, blind, or disabled; Reside in one of the 50 States, the Reside in one of the 50 States, the

District of Columbia, or the Northern District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, except for a child of Mariana Islands, except for a child of military parents assigned to military parents assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside permanent duty anywhere outside the United States.the United States.

SSI Basic Eligibility SSI Basic Eligibility RequirementsRequirements

U.S. Citizen or an alien who meets the U.S. Citizen or an alien who meets the applicable requirements as follows:applicable requirements as follows: for benefits payable before August 22, for benefits payable before August 22,

1996, the alien must be lawfully admitted 1996, the alien must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. or for permanent residence in the U.S. or permanently residing in the U.S. under permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law.color of law.

for benefits payable beginning August 22, for benefits payable beginning August 22, 1996, the alien must meet stricter alien 1996, the alien must meet stricter alien status requirements. Contact your local status requirements. Contact your local Social Security office.Social Security office.

SSI Basic Eligibility SSI Basic Eligibility RequirementsRequirements

Have income and resources within Have income and resources within specified limits; and specified limits; and

File an application.File an application.

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY DEFINITION OF DISABILITY FOR CHILDREN:FOR CHILDREN:

The child must have a physical or mental The child must have a physical or mental condition that very seriously limits his or condition that very seriously limits his or her activities; her activities; and and

The child must not be substantially The child must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007)2007)

The condition must have lasted, or be The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. in death.

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY DEFINITION OF DISABILITY FOR ADULTS:FOR ADULTS:

You must not be substantially gainfully You must not be substantially gainfully employed ($900 per month in 2007)employed ($900 per month in 2007)

You must be unable to do any You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your substantial work because of your medical condition; medical condition; andand

Your medical condition must have Your medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year, or be expected to result in 1 year, or be expected to result in your death.your death.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON ADDITIONAL NOTES ON DISABILITY:DISABILITY:

All children who receive SSI benefits All children who receive SSI benefits must re-qualify following adult must re-qualify following adult disability guidelines upon attaining disability guidelines upon attaining age 18.age 18.

Periodic medical reviews are Periodic medical reviews are conducted for all people who receive conducted for all people who receive SSI payments based on disability.SSI payments based on disability.

Whose Income Do We Whose Income Do We Consider?Consider?

CHILDREN:CHILDREN:

For children we consider any income For children we consider any income received for the child (i.e. child support, received for the child (i.e. child support, child’s share of a Temporary Assistance child’s share of a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant, etc.)for Needy Families (TANF) grant, etc.)

We also consider the income of parents We also consider the income of parents or stepparents living in the same or stepparents living in the same household as the child. This concept is household as the child. This concept is referred to as “deeming”. referred to as “deeming”.

ADULTS:ADULTS:

For adults we consider any income For adults we consider any income received by the individual.received by the individual.

We also deem income received by We also deem income received by the individual’s legal or “holding out” the individual’s legal or “holding out” spouse.spouse.

INCOME IS DIVIDED INTO INCOME IS DIVIDED INTO TWO BROAD CATEGORIES:TWO BROAD CATEGORIES:

EARNEDEARNED

UNEARNEDUNEARNED

EARNED:EARNED:

The two most common types of The two most common types of earned income are wages and net earned income are wages and net earnings from self-employment. earnings from self-employment.

The first $65 a month in earned The first $65 a month in earned income is excluded, as well as half income is excluded, as well as half the amount over $65.the amount over $65.

UNEARNED:UNEARNED:

The are many different types of unearned The are many different types of unearned income such as Social Security benefits, income such as Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, pensions, child support, and so on.pensions, child support, and so on.

The first $20 a month of The first $20 a month of most most types of types of unearned income is excluded.unearned income is excluded.

In addition to this $20, an additional 1/3 of In addition to this $20, an additional 1/3 of child support is excluded for children who child support is excluded for children who are under age 18 or under age 22 and are under age 18 or under age 22 and regularly attending school.regularly attending school.

Additional factors Additional factors considered in deeming of considered in deeming of

parental income:parental income: Allocation given for ineligible children Allocation given for ineligible children

in the householdin the household Income reduced for court-ordered Income reduced for court-ordered

child support being paid by parentchild support being paid by parent Gross wages are reduced by Gross wages are reduced by

cafeteria plan benefits as defined cafeteria plan benefits as defined under section 125 of the Internal under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.Revenue Code.

RESOURCESRESOURCES

Just as with income, we consider Just as with income, we consider resources owned by the resources owned by the individual and also deem individual and also deem

resources owned by parents until resources owned by parents until the child reaches age 18the child reaches age 18

Resource Limits:Resource Limits:

Individual: $2000Individual: $2000 Married couple or combined parents: Married couple or combined parents:

$3000$3000 If parents’ countable resources If parents’ countable resources

exceed $3000, the excess is applied exceed $3000, the excess is applied toward the child’s own $2000 limit.toward the child’s own $2000 limit.

Commonly Excluded Commonly Excluded Resources:Resources:

Home serving as principal place of residenceHome serving as principal place of residence One vehicle used for transportationOne vehicle used for transportation MostMost life insurance policies life insurance policies Burial space or plot held for individual or Burial space or plot held for individual or

immediate familyimmediate family Certain prepaid burial contractsCertain prepaid burial contracts Household goods and personal effectsHousehold goods and personal effects Property used in a trade or businessProperty used in a trade or business

LIVING ARRANGEMENTSLIVING ARRANGEMENTS

SSI payments can vary SSI payments can vary depending on the person’s depending on the person’s

living arrangement.living arrangement.

Some Issues We Consider:Some Issues We Consider:

InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization Who has rental liability or home ownershipWho has rental liability or home ownership How bills are being paid within the How bills are being paid within the

household household Assistance from outside the household in Assistance from outside the household in

paying billspaying bills A child’s living arrangement status is A child’s living arrangement status is

always re-evaluated upon attainment of always re-evaluated upon attainment of age 18.age 18.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS:BENEFITS:

An application may be filed in person or by An application may be filed in person or by telephone. telephone.

You may schedule an appointment in You may schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-772-1213 (some advance by calling 1-800-772-1213 (some smaller offices require appointments)smaller offices require appointments)

SSI benefits cannot be paid for periods SSI benefits cannot be paid for periods prior to contacting SSA with your intent to prior to contacting SSA with your intent to file. file.

SSA will obtain medical records for you. Do SSA will obtain medical records for you. Do not delay filing so you can obtain records.not delay filing so you can obtain records.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS:BENEFITS:

In most instances a legally competent In most instances a legally competent adult must file his or her own adult must file his or her own application. With the individual’s application. With the individual’s consent, a parent or some other party consent, a parent or some other party may be present to assist the individual.may be present to assist the individual.

If SSA determines an individual to be If SSA determines an individual to be incapable, payment may be made incapable, payment may be made through a representative payee.through a representative payee.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI HOW TO APPLY FOR SSI BENEFITS:BENEFITS:

The medical portion of your claim may be filed The medical portion of your claim may be filed online by going to one of the following sites: online by going to one of the following sites: www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreport or www.socialsecurity.gov/childdisabilityreport (Note: Only the medical part of the application (Note: Only the medical part of the application is available online. It is still necessary to is available online. It is still necessary to complete the non-medical portion of the complete the non-medical portion of the application either by phone or in person with application either by phone or in person with an SSA representative.) an SSA representative.)

PROCESSING OF YOUR PROCESSING OF YOUR CLAIM:CLAIM:

The medical portion of your claim will be The medical portion of your claim will be processed by the state Disability processed by the state Disability Determination Service. The non-medical Determination Service. The non-medical portion of your claim will be processed by the portion of your claim will be processed by the Social Security Office where you filed.Social Security Office where you filed.

The disability office will obtain records from The disability office will obtain records from your treating sources. You may also be asked your treating sources. You may also be asked to go for an evaluation with one or more to go for an evaluation with one or more independent doctors.independent doctors.

Should your claim be denied, the notice will Should your claim be denied, the notice will explain your appeal rights. It is important to explain your appeal rights. It is important to note that appeals must be filed in writing note that appeals must be filed in writing within 60 days. A phone call does not protect within 60 days. A phone call does not protect your right to appeal.your right to appeal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK REGARDING SSI WORK

INCENTIVES:INCENTIVES: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is only an Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is only an

issue when initially filing. Once receiving issue when initially filing. Once receiving payments, we just consider the income from payments, we just consider the income from earnings.earnings.

If your SSI payments stop solely because of If your SSI payments stop solely because of earnings and you meet certain criteria earnings and you meet certain criteria regarding Medicaid use, we are usually able regarding Medicaid use, we are usually able to keep your SSI record active indefinitely to keep your SSI record active indefinitely (i.e. no need to refile if you stop work)(i.e. no need to refile if you stop work)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK REGARDING SSI WORK

INCENTIVES:INCENTIVES: If your SSI eligibility does terminate due If your SSI eligibility does terminate due

to work and you become unable to work to work and you become unable to work again within 60 months due to the same again within 60 months due to the same condition, your benefits may be condition, your benefits may be restarted without filing a new restarted without filing a new application. This is called Expedited application. This is called Expedited Reinstatement.Reinstatement.

Student Earned Income Exclusion $1510 Student Earned Income Exclusion $1510 monthly (Maximum $6100 yearly)monthly (Maximum $6100 yearly)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SSI WORK REGARDING SSI WORK

INCENTIVES:INCENTIVES: Impairment Related Work Incentives Impairment Related Work Incentives

(IRWE)(IRWE) Plans for Achieving Self Support Plans for Achieving Self Support

(PASS)(PASS) Remember, in all instances SSI Remember, in all instances SSI

always counts less than half of your always counts less than half of your gross earnings.gross earnings.

For Additional Information:For Additional Information:

Visit Visit www.ssa.govwww.ssa.gov

OrOr

Call 1-800-772-1213Call 1-800-772-1213