Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides income to disabled individuals based on need. To qualify, applicants must be low income and possess few assets. Unlike Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), there is an asset limit to qualify for SSI.
SSI vs. SSDI
While SSI and SSDI programs both provide income for those who are disabled, their eligibility requirements differ. The SSDI program offers benefits to workers who have gained a certain number of work credits; eligibility is not income-related.
The SSI program offers benefits to disabled individuals who are low income and have minimal assets, regardless of whether or not they’ve held a job before or earned sufficient SSDI work credits.
Asset Limits for SSI
Individuals: SSI applicants or recipients cannot possess more than $2,000 in assets.
Married Couples: Total assets must be below $3,000 to qualify, even if just one partner is eligible. The only asset not considered is an IRA or pension plan belonging to an ineligible partner.
Children: For minors, the assets of a parent or parents are considered for asset limits. If a minor is living with a single parent, the first $2,000 of a parents assets or their spouses assets are ignored while anything above that is counted for the child’s resource limit of $2,000. Similarly, if a child lives with both parents, the first $3,000 of the parents assets are ignored.
What Assets Count?
- Cash
- Funds in checking or savings accounts
- Stocks or bonds
- Cash value of life insurance over $1,500
- Vehicles, if more than one
- Real estate, except for claimants residence
- Household possessions
What Assets Don’t Count?
- The home where you primarily live, including land and neighboring buildings
- Your primary vehicle
- Wedding or engagement rings
- PASS savings
- IDA savings
- Savings earmarked for burial up to $1,500 and burial plots
- Some support payments, such as grants and scholarships, child tax credit or earned income tax credit funds, victims assistance, or relocation assistance from the state or local government
If you have applied for disability benefits and been denied, contact our experienced disability benefits lawyers in Phoenix. Dayes Law Firm PC is committed to helping our clients obtain much needed disability benefits.
Contact us at 1-800-503-2000 to discuss your claim for free.