SSI Title XVI Benefits and Your Work Attempt: Still Eligible? 5 Important Points
1. Expedited Reinstatement
A disabled or blind individual whose eligibility for SSI payments ended because of earnings can request expedited reinstatement of his/her SSI benefits without filing a new application. To qualify for expedited reinstatement, the individual must make the request within 60 months after his/her eligibility ended and must have a disabling medical condition that: (1) is the same as (or related to) the disabling medical condition that led to the previous period of eligibility and (2) prevents him/her from performing substantial gainful activity. In determining whether the individual is disabled or blind, the medical improvement review standard is applied. Normal nonmedical requirements for SSI eligibility still apply.
An individual requesting expedited reinstatement may receive up to 6 months of provisional benefits while his/her request is pending. These benefits generally are not considered an overpayment if the request is denied. Provisional benefits may include Medicaid but do not include any State supplementary payments. Provisional benefits also may be received by the individual’s spouse at a couple’s rate if the spouse was previously eligible for SSI as a spouse.
2. Application or Re-Application Process
Individuals can apply or reapply for SSI benefits at any one of the approximately 1,300 SSA field offices around the country or through SSA teleservice centers. The claims process includes the application interview, the obtaining of necessary evidence and documentation, and the adjudication of the claim. Although many of the eligibility requirements for the Social Security program and the SSI program are different, the application process is very similar. Many times, individuals file for benefits under both programs at the same time.
SSA corroborates information provided by applicants for SSI through independent or collateral sources. Generally, the basic responsibility for obtaining evidence lies with the claimant, although SSA often gives advice and assistance on ways to obtain the needed information. Because of the special circumstances of the SSI population (for example, financial need, old age, or illness), SSA makes special efforts to assist claimants in obtaining the necessary proofs.
With regard to disability and blindness claims, SSA makes determinations of all of the nonmedical eligibility factors whereas each State’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) makes determinations of the medical eligibility factors.
3. Determination of Eligibility for Benefits
SSI applications have no retroactivity and become effective in the month after the month of filing or the month after all eligibility requirements are met, whichever is later. Eligibility for benefits is determined on a current monthly basis. The amount of the monthly benefit generally is determined using income in the second month preceding the month for and in which the benefit is paid (a method called retrospective monthly accounting). However, at the start of a period of eligibility or re-eligibility, the benefits for the first and second months are both determined using the income received in the first month. (One-time, nonrecurring income would only be counted in the month received.)
4. Payment of Benefits
SSI benefits generally are paid on the first day of each month. If the first of the month falls on a weekend or legal public holiday, benefit payments are delivered on the first working day preceding such Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. While SSA strongly encourages all SSI beneficiaries to receive their monthly benefits by direct deposit, benefit payments are also made by check if individuals do not wish to have their benefits sent directly to a financial institution. Monthly benefit payments include both the Federal SSI and State amounts if the recipient lives in a State in which SSA administers the State supplementary payment. (See section III.G.)
5. Ensuring Continued Eligibility for Benefits
SSI recipients are required to have their nonmedical eligibility factors redetermined periodically, generally every 1 to 6 years depending on their specific situation.
In addition to these nonmedical reviews, medical reviews are conducted on disabled or blind recipients in order to determine if they continue to be disabled or blind. For administrative efficiency the medical reviews are done most often on those disabled or blind recipients whose medical conditions are considered likely to improve. Medical reviews are required for disabled or blind recipients, for example, under the following circumstances:
When earnings of recipients exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level which changes yearly, $940.00 in the year 2008.
At least once every 3 years for recipients under age 18 whose medical conditions are considered likely to improve;
Within 1 year after attainment of age 18 and using the adult eligibility criteria, for recipients whose eligibility for SSI benefits was established under the disabled child eligibility criteria.
Applicants and recipients are required to report events and changes of circumstances that may affect their SSI eligibility and benefit amounts. Such reports are required, for example, when an individual has a change in the amount of his/her income or resources, changes living arrangements, or leaves the United States. Failure or delay in submitting a required report can result in monetary penalties or ineligibility for SSI benefits.
The basic “failure to report” penalty is $25 for the first such failure or delay, $50 for the second such failure or delay, and $100 for each subsequent failure or delay. However, in cases of fraud or false representation of material facts, SSA’s Inspector General can assess civil monetary penalties in amounts as large as $5,000. SSA also has the authority to suspend eligibility to SSI benefits for periods of 6, 12, or 24 months.
Additionally, SSA may use an accelerated rate of overpayment recovery to encourage accurate reporting. Overpayments to SSI recipients are generally recovered by withholding from the monthly benefit an amount equal to 10 percent of the individual’s countable monthly income. For many recipients whose only income is SSI, this amounts to 10 percent of their monthly SSI payment. However, if SSA determines that misrepresentation or concealment of material information has occurred, 100 percent of the monthly SSI benefit may be subject to recovery.
In consideration that the maximum monthly SSI benefit is about $637.00 in 2008 and may be reduced on your economic need it is important to consider any work attempt and/or other income producing endeavor or claim on a cost benefit analysis and “know the math” or your monthly budget if your SSI benefits are terminated due to the above or change in financial circumstances. Notably, any claim recovery, personal injury, auto collision claim, etc. may stop your SSI benefits indefinitely. Consult with a Social Security attorney first, before any claim settlement!