I was doing some research to gather information to assist a few people who wanted to apply for SSI, or had friends they were helping to apply. I came up with a lot of info and wrote an article about it last December, which was published here. Next I launched an outreach pilot project, passing out the info about eligibility and application for SSI For Seniors in large envelopes on every bulletin board in the area for a few months. (Did anyone read the info and then apply successfully for SSI? I don’t know, I hope so.)
To get the information I went to the Social Security website and called Social Security a few times, finding them very helpful. I have been casually working on this project as an unpaid volunteer and am not affiliated with any community or governmental organization. (I have had discussions with local professional outreach workers about expanding the SSI outreach to all ages, not just seniors.)
If you have any questions about any other facets of this program, other scenarios you need to figure out in order to help yourself or a struggling friend or acquaintance, then call Social Security in Eureka, or ask the questions here or email me: infonorthcoastssi@gmail.com
The Eureka office has been very helpful, with no wait time recently.
Eligibility for SSI for Seniors
Sixty-five years or older
$2000 or less in the bank.
You can’t have rental income or any stocks and bonds.
You can own one home of any value, and that will not be counted as an asset.
You can own one car, of any value, and that is not counted against you.
You are eligible if you didn’t pay enough into Social Security (40 units) or never worked. (Each unit is three months, 40 units adds up to ten years. Check your latest statement or call Social Security.)
If you’re already receiving less than $1185 from Social Security, you can also apply for SSI to make up the difference. (For example if you’re getting $800 from Social Security you are eligible for another $385 from SSI, adding up to the California maximum of $1185.)
Call Social Security to apply: Eureka 866.828.1991, National 800.772.1213.
More SSI Scenarios
You can sell your home in the hills (or wherever it is), take the money and buy another one in town (or wherever), and you will still be eligible for SSI. You have to notify Social Security within ten days of selling your house, and you have a month total to buy the new house. If it takes longer than a month to buy the new house then you will lose your monthly benefit until the property deal is done, or until you have spent down the proceeds from selling your land. (That’s a scenario which is important to know if you’re already on SSI, living out in the hills, and trying to figure out how to move closer in.)
If you receive an inheritance you have one month to spend it. (Keep receipts.) You will lose one month of your benefits. The inheritance can be of any amount and the things you buy have to be only for you. If you get a large inheritance which you are not able to spend in one month, then you will not receive your benefit for the months it takes you to spend it down.
If you own something valuable, like a piece of fine art or antique furniture, you have to sell it and spend down the money before being eligible for SSI.
If you own two properties, you have to sell one and then spend down the money. If you sell one of them below market or give it away to a friend or family member, then you have to wait two years to be eligible to apply for SSI.
If you rent out a room in your house, your SSI benefit will be reduced by whatever the amount of the rent is.
The day you first apply, the benefit clock starts ticking. If, for example, it takes six months for you to be approved, then you will be owed a lump sum going back to the first day. This will be paid to you in three payments over six months.
You can receive food stamps, of up to $292 a month in California, and still receive your full SSI benefit.
You can have two vehicles if the value of the second is $2000 or less, according to Kelly Blue Book. (The first vehicle can be of any value.)
If you own a house with a land partner and you sign it over to them, then the value of the rent you aren’t paying will be subtracted from your SSI benefit. Social Security has a formula to figure out how much the house is worth as a rental, and how much of your benefit you will then lose. (So better not to sign it over to them, even if they are friends or family.)
If you’re married you receive less than the full amount of SSI. If you’re just living together then you or both of you receive your full monthly benefit, unless you are deemed by Social Security to be married. (This could happen if you own a house together and/or have a joint bank account.)
This is the one which could be most important in this area:
You can sell your home in the hills (or wherever it is), take the money and buy another one in town (or wherever), and you will still be eligible for SSI. You have to notify Social Security within ten days of selling your house, and you have a month total to buy the new house. If it takes longer than a month to buy the new house then you will lose your monthly benefit until the property deal is done, or until you have spent down the proceeds from selling your land. (That’s a scenario which is important to know if you’re already on SSI, living out in the hills, and trying to figure out how to move closer in.)
RE: If it takes longer than a month to buy the new house then you will lose your monthly benefit until the property deal is done, or until you have spent down the proceeds from selling your land. (That’s a scenario which is important to know if you’re already on SSI, living out in the hills, and trying to figure out how to move closer in.)
If you receive an inheritance you have one month to spend it. (Keep receipts.) You will lose one month of your benefits. The inheritance can be of any amount and the things you buy have to be only for you. If you get a large inheritance which you are not able to spend in one month, then you will not receive your benefit for the months it takes you to spend it down.
If you own something valuable, like a piece of fine art or antique furniture, you have to sell it and spend down the money before being eligible for SSI.
—> if it takes more than a year to spend down, then one’s past determination of eligibility that was grandfathered in, is no longer valid, and have to meet current standards of proof of disability.
The proof of disability thing goes along with all the other iterations of SSI which I am not covering at the moment.
My essay and research hasn’t been about anything but poor seniors’ eligibility and application,
what I consider the “slam dunk” cases: those 65 and older, with only one house, only one car, and less than $2000 in the bank…
Thanks for your feedback, if I were researching all-ages SSI, I would call Social Security and reconfirm your additional info…
RE: The proof of disability thing goes along with all the other iterations of SSI which I am not covering at the moment.
—> Changes in determination of autism spectrum disorder in terms of employable disability and fruitful life, have tightened structural reins on applicant destitution and grounds of appeals of negative judgements.
A key bench mark for bootstrap economy that also may be considered for genealogically able bodied, is if not enough work quarter year credits (40) achieved at normal retirement for birth year age class, (age 65, 66…) to qualify for Social Security and Original Medicare, there is a window of delayed eligibility to work for a company of 25 or more employees, that has been in existence for at least six months, and has comparable health insurance to Original MediCare.
It is important to apply for MediCare Part A when 40 quarter year credits are first achieved by normal retirement age window, when first eligible by age 70. Avoid MedCare Advantage.
If still working, and adding elibility Social Security base year credits for the highest 35 years of Social Security taxed income inflation adjusted, is possible, while collecting Social Security retirement benefits to start at age 70 (and no reason later) to continue to work and gradually, SSA each year will shift the 35 year baseline so benefits increase, beyond rate of inflation.
This yearly increase is until there no further advantage in baseline years adjustment. Men particularly have health reasons to continue to work with exercise beyond normal or advanced retirement if teeth or dental repairs, bones, muscles, internal organs, gardens, social communications, and nutritional supplements are good.
Regulations and requirements are adjusted and modified each year for new applicants.
Hang on there Snoopy, hang on!
Medicare is pretty amazing,
I guess those of us over 65 deserve it,
we made it this far, so hey, here’s your FREE new hip…
(Nowadays they give you Narcon to take home with your oxy,
mostly in case there’s a teenager in the house who might raid the pills…)