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Marriage does not affect your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Your SSDI benefits are determined by your own work history, the payroll taxes you’ve contributed, and your disability. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is needs-based and can be affected by changes in household income, SSDI remains unaffected by marriage. It’s important for recipients to understand what can affect their SSDI monthly benefits and the qualifications to receive SSI benefits.
For those receiving Social Security benefits, seeking advice from a Social Security Disability lawyer in Rutherfotdton can be a valuable step to ensure their rights and benefits are fully protected and understood. They can also assist you with appealing changes in your monthly payments.
Requirements to Receive SSDI Benefits
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, an individual must meet specific criteria established by the Social Security Administration (SSA). These requirements are centered around one’s work history and the severity of their disability. Understanding these prerequisites is essential for anyone looking to apply for SSDI or seeking to understand their current benefits.
You Must Accumulate Work Credits
Firstly, SSDI eligibility is predicated on having accumulated enough work credits. These credits are earned through employment where you pay Social Security taxes. The number of credits needed to qualify for SSDI depends on your age at the time you become disabled, with younger workers requiring fewer credits.
Typically, an individual needs 40 credits. You must earn 20 of those credits within the last 10 years, and the last of the 10-year period must be the year you were disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
You Must Have a Qualifying Disability
Secondly, the SSA has strict definitions of disability. To qualify, the condition must be severe enough to prevent you from performing any substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions considered severe enough to automatically qualify as a disability, but this does not mean conditions not on the list are ineligible. Each case is assessed on an individual basis, considering the applicant’s ability to work and the impact of the condition on their daily life.
Factors that Can Affect or Result in the Loss of SSDI Benefits
While marriage does not affect SSDI benefits, several other factors can affect your benefits. It’s important for beneficiaries to be aware of these circumstances to avoid any surprises and manage their benefits effectively:
- Trial work period (TWP): SSDI recipients are allowed to test their ability to work for at least nine months. Earnings above a specific threshold ($1,110 for 2024) count towards your TWP. After this period, your benefits may be reevaluated.
- Substantial gainful activity (SGA): If you’re able to engage in SGA (earning more than $1,550 for non-blind individuals in 2024), you may no longer qualify for SSDI benefits.
- Medical improvement: If the SSA determines that your medical condition has improved significantly and you’re able to return to work, your SSDI benefits may be discontinued.
- Jail or prison: Benefits are suspended if you are incarcerated for more than 30 days for a criminal conviction. Benefits can be reinstated upon release.
- Beneficiary’s death: SSDI benefits cease upon the death of the recipient. However, certain family members may be eligible for survivors benefits.
- Clerical errors: Occasionally, administrative or clerical errors can affect benefit amounts or eligibility. It’s important to review your benefits statement carefully and report any discrepancies to the SSA.
Social Security Disability lawyers can provide guidance and assistance in addressing any concerns or questions regarding changes to your SSDI benefits.
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Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides financial assistance to individuals who are elderly, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is needs-based and does not depend on an individual’s work history. It aims to provide basic financial support for recipients to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
To be eligible for SSI, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Age or disability: Must be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
- Income and resources: Must have limited income and resources below specified thresholds. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers income from various sources and counts many types of countable resources (such as cash, bank accounts, and property) in determining eligibility.
- Residency and citizenship: Must be a resident of the United States or a qualified noncitizen and meet certain citizenship requirements.
How Marriage Affects SSI Benefits
Marriage can significantly impact SSI benefits due to the program’s income and resources criteria. As a married couple, the SSA combines your income and resources with those of your spouse to determine eligibility and benefit payment amount. This combined income could lead to a reduction or discontinuation of benefits if the household’s total income and resources exceed the program’s income limits.
Other Factors Affecting SSI Benefits
Several other factors can influence SSI monthly payments, including:
- Substantial gainful activity (SGA): For SSI, earning more than the allowed limit from work can reduce benefits, as SSI is intended for those with limited income.
- Other sources of income: Any additional income, such as pensions, workers’ compensation, or unemployment benefits, can reduce SSI benefits. The SSA considers most types of income when calculating benefits.
- Resources: If the total value of your resources exceeds the resource limits set by the SSA ($2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple in 2024), you may lose eligibility for SSI.
- Living arrangements: Changes in your living situation, such as moving to a nursing home or receiving subsidized housing, can affect your SSI benefits.
- In-kind support: Receiving food or shelter from someone else at less than market value can reduce your benefit amount, as the SSA considers this as part of your income.
For individuals seeking guidance or facing uncertainties about their SSI benefits, consulting with a Social Security Disability attorney can provide clarity, ensuring they fully understand their rights and the impacts of life changes on their benefits.
Learn More About the Factors that Can Influence Your SSDI Benefits
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for a free case evaluation of your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Our Social Security Disability attorneys can review your application for benefits or help you appeal a denial.
Reach out to us today.
