What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

7/29/2019 What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

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What You Need To KnowWhen You Get SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI)


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Contact Social Security

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

resource or inormation about all o Social Securitysprograms. At our website you also can:

Apply or certain kinds o benefts;

Get the address o your local Social Security ofce;

Request a replacement Medicare card; and

Find copies o our publications.

Call our toll-free numberIn addition to using our website, you also can

call us toll-ree at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all callsconfdentially. We can answer specifc questions rom7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We canprovide inormation by automated phone service 24hours a day. I you are dea or hard o hearing, you may

call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.We also want to make sure you receive accurate and

courteous service. That is why we have a second SocialSecurity representative monitor some telephone calls.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/http://www.ssa.gov/benefitshttp://www.ssa.gov/locatorhttp://www.ssa.gov/medicarecardhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubshttp://www.ssa.gov/pubshttp://www.ssa.gov/medicarecardhttp://www.ssa.gov/locatorhttp://www.ssa.gov/benefitshttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/


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Whats inside

Introduction 4

About your payments 4

What you must report to us 8

Things you should know if you getSSI because you are disabled 21

How and when to report changes 23

Other things you should know 24


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Introduction

This booklet explains some o your rights andresponsibilities when you receive SupplementalSecurity Income benefts.

We suggest you take time now to read this bookletand then put it in a sae place so you can reer to it inthe uture.

I you get Social Security retirement or survivors benefts,you also should read What You Need To Know When YouGet Retirement Or Survivors Benefts (Publication No.05-10077). I you get Social Security disability benefts,

you should read What You Need To Know When You GetDisability Benefts (Publication No. 05-10153).

About your payments

Beore we begin paying you SSI, we will send youa letter telling you when your payments start andhow much you will get. (This booklet may have beenenclosed with such a letter.)

Your frst SSI payment will be made or the frst ullmonth ater you applied or became eligible or SSI. Theamount may not be the same every month. The amountdepends on your other income and living arrangements.We will tell you in advance whenever we change theamount o your payment.

Your frst, second and third monthly amounts will bebased on your frst months income. Sometimes a type oincome in the frst month is not received in the secondmonth. We call this nonrecurring income. When thishappens, the SSI beneft or the second and third monthis based on the countable income rom the frst month,minus the nonrecurring income.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10077.html


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Ater that, your SSI amount usually is based on yourincome rom two months beore. For example, a womanliving in Caliornia gets a $500 Social Security widowspayment and a $270 SSI payment. In June, she buys alottery scratch-o card and wins $200 and reports that tothe Social Security ofce. That means in August, her SSIpayment will be reduced to $70. In this example, her SSIpayment will go back to $270 in September.

Your ederal SSI payment may increase each year,i necessary, to keep up with the cost o living. Theseincreases usually will be in your January payment,which you will receive at the end o December.

If you disagree with a decision we makeI you disagree with any decision we make about your

SSI, you have the right to ask us to look at your caseagain. Whenever we send you a letter about your SSI,we will tell you what to do i you disagree. For moreinormation, ask or Your Right To Question A Decision

Made On Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Claim (Publication No. 05-11008).

Your right to be representedYou may handle your own SSI case with ree help

rom Social Security. You also have the right to havesomeone represent you. There are rules about who can

represent you and what your representative can do.We will work with your representative as we wouldwork with you. Ask us i you want to fnd out howyou can appoint someone to act on your behal. Youcan also fnd more inormation about representationin theYour Right To Representation (PublicationNo. 05-10075) pamphlet, or online on our website atwww.socialsecurity.gov/representation.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10075.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10075.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10075.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/representationhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/representationhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/representationhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10075.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11008.html


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Electronic paymentsI you apply or SSI on or ater May 1, 2011, you must

receive your payments electronically. I you did notsign up or electronic payments when you applied, we

strongly urge you to do it now. You must switch toelectronic payments by March 1, 2013. I you dont, theU.S. Treasury Department may send your paymentsvia the Direct Express card program to avoid aninterruption in payment.

Direct deposit is a simple, sae and secure way to receiveyour benefts. Contact your bank to help you sign up. Or

you can sign up or direct deposit by contacting us.Another option is the Direct Express card program.With Direct Express, deposits rom ederal paymentsare made directly to the card account. Its quick andeasy to sign up or the card. Call the toll-ree TreasuryElectronic Payment Solution Contact Center at1-800-333-1795. Or sign up online at www.GoDirect.org.

Also, Social Security can help you sign up.A third option is an Electronic Transer Account.This low-cost ederally insured account lets you enjoythe saety, security and convenience o automaticpayments. You can contact us or visit the websiteat www.eta-fnd.govto get inormation about thisprogram, or to fnd a bank, savings and loan or credit

union near you oering this account.If you get a check

Your SSI checks are U.S. government checks. Theyusually come in the mail on the frst o the month. Yourcheck must be cashed within 12 months ater the date othe check or it will be void.

I the frst o the month alls on a Saturday, Sundayor legal holiday, you will get your check on the bankingday beore.
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To be sae, you should cash or deposit your check assoon as possible ater you receive it. You should not signyour check until you are at the bank or place where youwill cash it. I you sign the check ahead o time and loseit, the person who fnds it could cash it.

If your check is lost or stolen, call us right away. Yourcheck can be replaced, but it takes time.

I your check does not come on the usual day, itshould arrive within the next ew days. Call us i youdo not receive your check by the ourth mail day o themonth. We will fnd out what happened and see that youget your check.

Returning payments not dueMost o the time your SSI will be or the correct

amount. But, i you receive more money than usual, youshould call or visit your Social Security ofce. You mustreturn any extra money you are not supposed to get eveni it is not your ault that you got it.

I you ever get a check you are not supposed toreceive, you should take it to any Social Security ofce.Or, you can mail the check back to the U.S. TreasuryDepartment at the address shown on the envelope inwhich it came. You should write VOID on the ronto the check and enclose a note telling why you arereturning the check.

I you have direct deposit and receive a payment youshould not have gotten, call or visit your Social Securityofce. We will tell you how you can return it.

Cost-of-living adjustmentsEach January, your payments will increase

automatically i the cost o living has gone up. For

example, i the cost o living has increased by 2 percent,your benefts also will increase by 2 percent. We willnotiy you in advance o your new amount.


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Reviewing your caseThe law requires that we look at every SSI case rom

time to time to make sure that people getting paymentsshould still get them and are getting the right amount.

We will tell you when it is time or your review. Thereview will be done by mail, phone or in person in theSocial Security ofce.

We will ask you the same kind o questions youanswered when you applied or SSI. We will needinormation about your income, your resources, yourliving arrangements and your bank accounts. Keep

savings or checking account statements you get romyour bank. You may need them when we review yourcase. Also, keep your pay slips i you or your spousework. We will need them, too. Do not wait for yourreview to tell us about any changes You should reporta change as soon as it happens. The section aboutreporting changes starts below. I you get SSI becauseo a disability, see pages 21-22 or inormation aboutreviewing your case.

What you must report to us

When you sign your application or SSI payments,you indicate that the inormation about you on theapplication is true. I inormation about you changes,

you must notiy us.NOTE: If you do not report changes or you give us false

information or withhold information, you can receive apenalty or sanction. If you are penalized, it means thatyou did not report a change to us on time. With a penalty,you can lose additional money from your check. Thisamount is from $25 up to $100. If you are sanctioned,

that means you gave us false information or withheldimportant information. If we fnd out that you gave falseinformation or withheld information on purpose, we canstop your payments from six to 24 months.


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The kinds o things you must report to us are listednext. I any o these things aect you, turn to the pageshown or more inormation.

I you live in Caliornia, Hawaii, Massachusetts,Michigan, New York or Vermont, see page 20 or otherthings you should tell us.

I you move or change your address page 10

I you change direct deposit accounts page 10

I someone moves into or out o your household page 10

I you start or stop work page 10

I there is a change in your income or the income

o amily members page 11I there is a change in your resources page 14

I you get help with living expenses page 15

I you enter or leave an institution(hospital, nursing home or prison) page 16

I you get married, separated or divorced page 16

I you change your name page 16I you become a parent page 17

I you leave the United States page 17

I you have an outstanding warrant or your arrest page 17

I you are confned to a correctional acility page 18

I you violate a condition o parole or probation page 18

I you are a sponsored noncitizen page 18

I you are age 18 to 22 and start or stopattending school page 19

I a person getting SSI is not able to manage unds page 19

I a person getting SSI dies page 19

I your immigration status changes page 20

Special rules or people in some states page 20

I you get better page 21


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If you move or change your addressWhen you plan to move or change your address, tell

us your new address and phone number as soon as youknow them. Even i you receive your payments by direct

deposit or Direct Express

, Social Security must haveyour correct address so we can send letters and otherimportant inormation to you. Your payments will bestopped i we are unable to contact you.

I any amily members who are getting benefts aremoving with you, please tell us their names.

Also, tell your post ofce about your new address.

If you change direct deposit accountsI you change fnancial institutions or open a new

account, be sure to say that you want to sign up or directdeposit. You also can change your direct deposit. Or,we can change your direct deposit inormation over thetelephone. Have your new and old bank account numbers

handy when you call us. They will be printed on yourpersonal checks or account statements. It takes about30-60 days to change this inormation. Do not close yourold account until ater you make sure your Social Securitybenefts are being deposited into the new account.

If someone moves into or out of your householdLet us know i there is a change in the number o

people who live with you. You must tell us i: Someone moves into or out o your home;

Someone who lives with you dies; or

You or someone who lives with you has a baby.

Let us know i you start living in someone elses homeor i you move out o someone elses home.

If you start or stop workLet us know i you or your amily members start or

stop work or which you are paid.


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If there is a change in your income or theincome of family members

I you have income other than your SSI, you must tellus about it. And you should tell us i the amount o your

other income increases, decreases, or i the income stops.Usually, changes in your income in a month will aectyour SSI payment two months later.

You also should tell us about changes in the income oother amily members living with you. For example: I you are married, tell us about any change in your

spouses income, including any change in the amount o

his or her Social Security benefts. (I you also get SocialSecurity benefts, you do not need to tell us when youget a Social Security beneft increase.)

I you have a child younger than 18 who gets SSI andlives with you, tell us about any change in:

The childs income;Your income;

Your spouses income; andIncome o any child in your home who is notgetting SSI.

Also tell us i:A child in your home who is not getting SSI getsmarried; or

A child who is working or who is age 18 to 22 startsor stops attending school ull time.

What we count as incomeUnder SSI, income includes cash, checks and other

things you get that can be used or ood or shelter. Hereare examples of income: Wages rom your job, whether in cash or another orm;

Net earnings rom your business i you are sel-employed; The value o ood or shelter that someone gives you, or

the amount o money someone gives you to help payor them;

Department o Veterans Aairs benefts;


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Railroad retirement and railroad unemployment benefts; Annuities, pensions rom any government or private

source, workers compensation, unemploymentinsurance benefts, black lung benefts and SocialSecurity benefts;

Prizes, settlements and awards, includingcourt-ordered awards;

Proceeds o lie insurance policies; Gits and contributions; Support and alimony payments; Inheritances in cash or property;

Rental income; and Strike pay and other benefts rom unions.

Items that do not count as incomeThe ollowing items are not income:

Medical care and services;

Social services;

Money rom the sale, exchange or replacement othings you own (though the money may count as aresource i you retain it until the next month);

Most types o interest and dividend income;

Income tax reunds;

Earned Income Tax Credit payments;

Payments made by lie or disability insurance oncharge accounts or other credit accounts;

Proceeds o a loan;

Bills paid by someone else or things other than ood,clothing or shelter;

Settlement payments to eligible American Indianlandowners whose assets had been mismanaged by the

United States; Replacement o lost or stolen income; and

Weatherization assistance.

Some things we normally count as income will notreduce your SSI payment. For example, under certain


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conditions, home energy assistance provided by certainhome energy suppliers is not counted as income. Food,clothing, shelter or home energy assistance provided reeor at a reduced rate by private nonproft organizationsalso is not counted. Even though these items may notcount, you should still tell us about them.

Reporting your earned incomeYou must report to us all earned income you receive

rom wages or sel-employment beginning with the dateyou fled your SSI application.

We will need to veriy your wages or sel-employment

income. It is important that you keep all your pay slips,including pay slips or overtime, vacations or bonuses.You must promptly report any changes in work activity.You must tell us by the 10th o the month ater themonth o the change when:

Your work starts or stops;

Your work hours or rate o pay change; and

You start paying or expenses that you need or workdue to your disability.

You must report your wages by:

Telephone wage reporting by the 6th o each month.Please contact your local Social Security ofce todetermine i this option will work or you and toreceive instructions or how to report wages over the

phone. Mailing, axing or bringing your pay slips to your

local Social Security ofce each month as soon as youreceive the last pay slips o the month, but no laterthan the 10th day o the next month.

I you are sel-employed, notiy us o your sel-employment either by phone, mail or in person. Wewill help you determine your net earnings romsel-employment. You must:

Report to us i a change occurs which could aect theamount o your net earnings rom sel-employment;


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Maintain business records; and

Provide us with a copy o your ederal income taxreturn when it becomes available.

You can get more inormation on reporting earnings

by calling us toll-ree at 1-800-772-1213 or i you aredea or hard o hearing, call our toll-ree TTY numberat 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday. You can fnd your local Social Securityofce on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

If there is a change in your resourcesTell us i there is any change in what you own. A single

person can have resources worth up to $2,000 and still getSSI. A couple can have resources worth up to $3,000.

Resources we do not countWe do not count many o the things you own. Your

home and the land that it is on do not count i it is yourprimary residence. Depending on how they are used,

household goods, personal property and a car may notcount. Lie insurance with a ace value o $1,500 orless per person usually does not count. Up to $1,500 inburial unds or you and up to $1,500 in burial unds oryour spouse do not count. Burial plots or you and yourimmediate amily also do not count.

Resources we count

Some o the things we do count are: Cash;

Your checking and savings accounts;

Christmas club accounts;

Certifcates o deposit; and

Stocks and U.S. Savings Bonds.

Any payments that you get rom SSI or Social Securityor past months will not be counted as a resource ornine months ater the month you get them. I there areany past payments let over ater the nine-month period,they will count as resources.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/


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What you need to tell usI you are single, tell us i your resources are more

than $2,000. I you are living with your spouse, tell us iyour combined resources are more than $3,000.

I you have a child who gets SSI, you should tell usabout changes in the things the child owns AND thethings you and your spouse own.

I you agreed to sell property so you could receive SSI,you should tell us when you sell it. I you do not sellthe property, you may not be able to get any more SSIpayments. And, you may have to return any payments

we already sent you.I your name is on any bank account with anotherperson, you must tell us about the account, even i youdo not consider the money to be yours. You must tellus about the account, even i you do not use the moneyor account. I someone wants to add your name to anaccount, check with us frst. I the money is not really

yours, or i it is or a special purpose like your medicalexpenses, we can tell you how to set up the account so itwill not aect your SSI.

I you (or your spouse) buy, sell or become the ownero any real estate, a car or personal property, you need totell us.

Call us i you are not sure i something counts. We

will help you fgure it out.If you get help with living expenses

Let us know i someone gives you money, ood or reehousing. Also, tell us i anyone helps pay or your ood,utilities, rent or mortgage or i the amount someone paysyou changes. I you used to get help with expenses anddo not get it now, tell us that, too.


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If you enter or leave an institution(hospital, nursing home or prison)

You must tell us i you enter or leave a residentialinstitution, hospital, skilled nursing acility, nursing

home, intermediate care acility, halway house, jail,prison, public emergency shelter or any other kind oinstitution. Let us know the name o the institution andthe date you entered or let. I you are not able to tell us,ask someone in the institutions ofce to help you.

You usually cannot get SSI while in a publicinstitution. I you enter a medical institution, it is

especially important to tell us right away. There arespecial rules i you enter a medical institution or a stayo less than 90 days. Oten, you can keep getting yourSSI i we learn about it right away. Your doctor must signa statement about how long you will stay. And, you mustsign a statement that you still need to pay expenses oryour home while you are in the institution. We need

these statements as soon as possiblebut no later thanthe 90th day you are in the institution, or the day youleave i that is earlier.

I your spouse is institutionalized, you must reportthis change. I his or her Social Security benefts areredirected to you to use or household expenses, thiscounts as income to you and must be reported to us.

If you get married, separated or divorcedTell us i you get married or i your marriage ends.

Also, tell us i you separate rom your spouse. I you areseparated now, tell us i you begin to live together again.

If you change your nameI you change your nameby marriage, divorce or

court orderyou need to tell us right away. I you donot give us this inormation, your benefts will beissued under your old name and, i you have directdeposit, payments may not reach your account. I you


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receive checks, you may not be able to cash them i youridentifcation is dierent than the name on your check.

If you become a parentI you become the parent o a child (including an adopted

child) ater you begin receiving SSI payments, let us know.

If you leave the United StatesLeaving the United States means leaving the 50 states,

the District o Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands.Usually, i you leave the United States or 30 days or more,you can no longer get SSI.

I you move to Puerto Rico, you are considered to beoutside the United States or SSI purposes only. Peoplewho live in Puerto Rico cannot get SSI.

I you plan to leave the United States, tell us beoreyou leave. We need to know the date you plan to leaveand the date you plan to come back. Then we can tellyou i your SSI will be aected.

Once you have been outside the United States or 30 ormore days in a row, your SSI cannot start again until youhave been back in the country or at least 30 straight days.

There are special rules or dependent children omilitary personnel who leave the United States. Theymay be able to get or apply or SSI while overseas. Therealso are exceptions or students studying abroad.

If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrestYou must tell us i you have an outstanding arrest

warrant or any o the ollowing elony oenses:

Flight to avoid prosecution or confnement;

Escape rom custody; and

Flight-escape.

You cannot receive a monthly payment or any monthin which there is an outstanding arrest warrant or anyo these elony oenses. You also cannot receive anyunderpayment you may be due i you currently have anoutstanding arrest warrant or any o these elony oenses.


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If you are confned to a correctional facilityTell Social Security right away i you are incarcerated

or confned to a correctional acility. You cannot receive amonthly payment i you are confned to a correctional

acility or a ull calendar month. You also cannot receiveany underpayment you may be due i you are currentlyconfned to a correctional acility or a ull calendar month.

If you violate a condition of parole or probationYou must tell us i you are violating a condition

o your probation or parole imposed under ederal

or state law. You cannot receive a monthly paymentor any month in which you violate a condition oyour probation or parole. You also cannot receive anyunderpayment you may be due i you are currentlyviolating a condition o your probation or parole.

If you are a sponsored noncitizenI you are an immigrant who is sponsored by a U.S.

resident, we look at the income and resources o theollowing people in deciding whether you can get SSI andhow much your payments will be:

Yoursel (including anything you still have in yourhomeland);

Your spouse;

Your parents i you are under age 18; Your sponsor; and

Your sponsors spouse.

You must report any changes in the income andresources o all the above people until you become aU.S. citizen or you work or 10 years. (Work done by yourspouse or parent may count towards the 10 years or

SSI.) Ater that time, you have to report only changes oryoursel, your spouse and, i you are younger than age 18,your parents.


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If you are age 18 to 22 and startor stop attending school

I you are age 18 to 22, tell us i you start or stopattending school regularly. It may aect your SSI. Also,

tell us the date your attendance changed.

If a person getting SSI is not able to manage fundsSometimes a person is unable to manage his or

her own unds. I this happens, someone should letus know. We can arrange to send the SSI payment toa representative payee. A representative payee is a

relative or someone else who agrees to manage and usethe money or the well-being o the person getting SSI.For more inormation, seeA Guide For RepresentativePayees (Publication No. 05-10076).

NOTE: People who have power of attorney forsomeone do not automatically qualify to be the persons

representative payee.

If a person getting SSI diesI someone getting SSI dies, somebody should tell us.

I there is a surviving spouse who is getting SSI, theamount may be changed.

Any SSI payments sent ater the month o death orany checks not cashed or deposited beore death are not

due and must be returned.I a persons SSI was being deposited directly into an

account in a bank, the bank also should be told o thepersons death. The bank will return the money to SocialSecurity. Any amount sent to the account o a deceasedrecipient should not be withdrawn.

I an SSI recipient has a representative payee and the

payee dies, someone should tell us.
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If your immigration status changesLet us know i your immigration status changes. Your

immigration status may aect whether you can get SSI. Ingeneral, i you become a U.S. citizen, you still can get SSI.

I you are getting SSI or seven years because youentered the U.S. as a reugee or in a reugee-likeimmigration status, and you become a lawul permanentresident during the seven-year period, your SSI cancontinue or the ull seven years as long as you meetall o the other SSI requirements, such as the limits onincome and resources.

For more inormation, ask or Supplemental SecurityIncome (SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051).

Special rules for people in some statesI you live in one o the ollowing states, there are

some other things you must report to us:

CaliorniaLet us know i you regularly were eating

your meals away rom home and now you are eating athome. Also let us know i you regularly were eating athome and now you eat out.

Hawaii, Michigan or VermontTell us i you live ina acility that provides dierent levels o care and thelevel o care you get changes; or example, i you moverom assisted living to a nursing home.

MassachusettsTell us i you (or you and your wieor husband) were paying more than two-thirds o theliving expenses or the household in which you areliving and you now pay less. Also, tell us i you werepaying less than two-thirds o these expenses but nowyou pay more.

New YorkLet us know i you regularly were eating

your meals away rom home and now you are eatingat home. Or, tell us i you were eating your meals athome and now you eat out. Also, i you live with otherpeople, tell us i you used to prepare your meals by


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yoursel and now you prepare meals together. Or, tellus i you were preparing your meals with other peopleand now you prepare your meals alone.

If you get better

I you get SSI because o a disability or blindness, youmust tell us i your medical condition improves. I youare no longer disabled, your SSI will stop ater a shortadjustment period.

Things you should know if you getSSI because you are disabled

Reviewing your medical conditionAll people receiving SSI because they are disabled

must have their medical conditions reviewed rom timeto time. Your SSI will continue unless there is strongproo that your condition has improved medically andthat you are able to return to work.

Frequency of reviewsHow oten your medical condition is reviewed depends

on how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve.Your award notice tells you when you can expect yourfrst review.

Medical improvement expectedi your condition

is expected to improve within a specifc time, yourfrst review will be six to 18 months ater you startedgetting SSI.

Improvement possiblei improvement in yourmedical condition is possible, your case will bereviewed about every three years.

Improvement not expectedi your medical condition

is unlikely to improve, your case will be reviewed onlyabout once every fve to seven years.


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What happens during a review?We will send you a letter telling you that we are

conducting a review. Soon ater that, someone romyour local Social Security ofce will contact you to

explain the review process and your appeal rights. TheSocial Security representative will ask you to provideinormation about your medical treatment and any workthat you may have done.

A team consisting o a disability examiner and adoctor will review your fle and request your medicalreports. You may be asked to have a special examination.

We will pay or the examination and some o yourtransportation costs.

When a decision is made, we will send you a letter. I wedecide that you still are disabled, your SSI will continue.

I we decide you no longer are disabled and youdisagree, you can fle an appeal. For more inormation,ask us or a copy o Your Right To Question The Decision

Made On Your SSI Claim (Publication No. 05-11008).Rules to help you work and keep your SSI

Tell us right away i you go to workno matterhow little you earn. There are special SSI rules to helpyou try to work. Your SSI may continue while youwork i you are still disabled. As your earnings go up,

the amount o your SSI will go down and eventuallymay stop. Even i your SSI stops, you may be able tokeep your Medicaid coverage. (Medicaid coverage maycontinue i you depend on it to work and do not earnenough to pay or similar medical care.)

Tell us i you have any special work expenses. Theseinclude items and services you need to work. Someexamples are a wheelchair, attendant care services,Braille devices, certain drugs and medical services. Theearnings you use to pay or these expenses do not countas income, so they will not lower the amount o yourSSI. You should keep receipts or any work expensesrelated to your disability.


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I you work or would like to work, you may be ableto have a Plan to Achieve Sel-Support. This plan allowsyou to work towards a career goal and helps you pay orthings such as college, vocational training, work-relatedequipment or starting a business. Having this planusually means you can keep more o your SSI, becausethe money you set aside will not lower your SSI amount.As your earnings and resources increase, it becomes moreimportant or you to develop a plan. For more inormation,ask or Working While DisabledA Guide To Plans For

Achieving Self-Support (Publication No. 05-11017).

I your SSI checks stop because you have a job,

and some time in the next six years your disabilityorces you to quit working, you can get back on SSIimmediately without fling a new application.

You can get more inormation about all the special rulesto help you work by calling Social Security or visiting ourwebsite. Ask or Working While Disabled How We CanHelp (Publication No. 05-10095) and Your Ticket To Work

(Publication No. 05-10061).More detailed inormation about work incentives can

be ound in our Red Book (Publication No. 64-030). Also,visit our website, www.socialsecurity.gov/work.

How and when to report changes

You can report changes by calling us toll-ree at1-800-772-1213. (I you are dea or hard-o-hearing, youmay call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.) When youcall, please have your Social Security number handy.You also can report changes by mail or in person. Iyou send us a letter, be sure it shows:

The name o the person or whom you are reportingthe change;

The Social Security number o the person who gets SSI;

The change being reported;

The date the change happened; and

Your signature, address and phone number.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11017.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10061.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/workhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/workhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10061.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11017.html


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When to report a changeYou must report a change within 10 days ater the

month it happens. You should report a change even iyou are late.

I you do not report a change, you may miss out onmoney you need i the change means you should receivea greater amount. Or, you may get too much money andhave to pay it back.

I you do not report a change or i you make a alsestatement and get money that you are not due, SocialSecurity will make you pay back the money. It also can

result in a fne, sanction or imprisonment.

Other things you should know

How we will contact youWe generally mail you a letter or notice when

we want to contact you, but sometimes a Social

Security representative may come to your home. Ourrepresentative will show you identifcation beoretalking about your benefts. I you ever doubt someonewho says he or she is rom Social Security, call theSocial Security ofce to ask i someone was sent to seeyou. Social Security employees will never ask you ormoney to have something done. It is our job to help you.

Free Social Security servicesSome businesses advertise that they can provide

name changes or Social Security cards or a ee. Allthese services are provided ree by Social Security, sodo not pay or something that is ree. Call us or visitour website frst. Social Security is the best place toget inormation about Social Security.


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Social servicesPeople who get SSI also may be able to get social

services rom the state in which they live. These servicesinclude ree meals, housekeeping help, transportation or

help with other problems.You can get inormation about services in your area

rom your state or local social services or welare ofce.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(food stamps)

I you get SSI, you might be able to get help through

the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),ormerly known as ood stamps. I everyone in yourhome is applying or or getting SSI, you can apply orSNAP at a Social Security ofce.

I you do not live in a home where everyone isapplying or or getting SSI, visit www.fns.usda.gov/snapto fnd out how to apply. For more inormation ask or

Food Stamps And Other Nutrition Programs(PublicationNo. 05-10100).

A special note for people with MedicareI you have low income and ew resources, your

state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in somecases, other Medicare expenses such as deductibles and

coinsurance. Only your state can decide i you qualiy.To fnd out i you do, contact your state or local welareofce or Medicaid agency.

Extra help with Medicare prescription costsI you have limited income and resources, you may

qualiy or extra help to pay or your prescription drugsunder Medicare Part D. Social Securitys role is to helpyou understand how you may qualiy and to process yourapplication or extra help. To see i you qualiy or to apply,call Social Securitys toll-ree number or visit our website.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snaphttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10100.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10100.htmlhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10100.htmlhttp://www.fns.usda.gov/snap


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A special note for people who getSSI because they are blind

You can choose to receive notices rom us in one othe ollowing ways. Just let us know which you preer.

Your choices or receiving notices are: Standard print notice by frst-class mail;

Standard print notice by certifed mail;

Standard print notice by frst-class mail and aollow-up telephone call;

Braille notice and a standard print notice byfrst-class mail;

Microsot Word fle on a data compact disc (CD)and a standard print notice by frst-class mail;

Audio CD and a standard print notice byfrst-class mail; or

Large print (18-point size) notice and a standardprint notice by frst-class mail.

To select one o these options, please: Visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/notices

and ollow the steps provided;

Call us toll-ree at 1-800-772-1213. I you are dea orhard o hearing, you may call our TTY number at1-800-325-0778; or

Write or visit your local Social Security ofce.

I you would like to receive notices in another way,please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SocialSecurity ofce so we can begin processing your request.I we are unable to approve your request, we will sendyou the reason in writing and tell you how to appeal thedecision.

I you have a question about a Social Security notice,you may call us toll-ree at 1-800-772-1213 to ask or thenotice to be read or explained to you.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/noticeshttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/notices


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I you work, be sure to tell us i any o your workexpenses change. Income spent on work expenses is notcounted as income, so it will not lower the amount oyour SSI.

Protection of your personal informationYou should keep your Social Security card in a sae

place with your other important papers. Do not carry itwith you unless you need to show it to an employer orservice provider.

Social Security keeps personal and confdentialinormationnames, Social Security numbers, earnings

records, ages and benefciary addressesor millionso people. Generally, we will discuss your inormationonly with you. When you call or visit us, we will askyou several questions to help us veriy your identity. Iyou want someone else to help with your Social Securitybusiness, we need your permission to discuss yourinormation with that person.

We urge you to be careul with your SocialSecurity number and to protect its confdentialitywhenever possible.

We are committed to protecting the privacyo your records. When we are required by law togive inormation to other government agenciesthat administer health or welare programs, such

as Medicaid and SNAP, those agencies are notallowed to share that inormation with anyone else.


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Social Security AdministrationSSA Publication No. 05-11011ICN 480265Unit o Issue - HD (one hundred)April 2011 (Recycle prior editions)

What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Documents

Transcript of What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)