There are two main types of disability programs Social Security offers for people who are disabled and unable to work. These programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Disability Insurance pays disabled workers monthly benefits based on how much they have paid into Social Security through taxes, while SSI is a “needs” based program based on financial eligibility. Only those people who are disabled and can show a financial need for SSI benefits will receive payments.
Social Security conducts calculations in determining financial need and it has to consider all income and assets available to the person who is requesting SSI. Those who show a need can receive up to a maximum monthly amount of $733 beginning in 2015.
Because financial situations change, SSI payments can fluctuate if the person experiences either an increase or decrease in outside income or assets. If this occurs, Social Security has the ability to increase or reduce monthly benefits.
For example, if a single person is receiving the maximum monthly SSI amount of $733 and gets married, Social Security will consider their new spouse’s resources in determining continued SSI eligibility and it is possible that the maximum SSI amount may be reduced or even eliminated depending on amount of financial resources the SSI recipient’s spouse has.
The same goes for someone who is married and receiving SSI payments, but separates from their spouse and is now living on their own. The spouse’s resources should not be counted against the SSI recipient in that case. If the SSI recipient was receiving less than the full SSI monthly amount of $733, there is potential for that to increase if circumstances change.
If you are receiving SSI benefits and your financial resources change significantly you should contact Social Security to determine what benefit amount you may now be eligible for.
