Ask Larry

Why Has My SSI Been Reduced To Zero?

I am 64 and have been getting SSI for 10 years. I recently applied for Soc. Sec. retirement
That is 497.00/month. SSI is 750.00
My husband hasn't been able to work due to a bad back for years and now at age 62 he filed for retirement. He will get 898.00
Soc. Sec. told me that I would still get SSI but it would be reduced some but I should maintain the SSI with retirement. I have medicaid with SSI and have a number of medicines I have to take.

Now Soc. Sec. is saying I will not get SSI at all and they reduced it to 0
Hence, there goes my ONLY help in medical needs.
Why is this? I had several at Soc Sec tell me I would still get some SSI and after I filed now they say no? Is this right and does my husband's affect my SSI?
We have no other finances and are caring for our disabled adult daughter as well.
Thanks for answering.

Hi,

Your Social Security benefits would directly reduce your SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments roughly dollar for dollar. Your husband's Social Security could further offset your SSI through a process called income deeming. In other words, some of your husband's income could be deemed available for your use, causing it to reduce your SSI payments (https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm). And, if the income from Social Security (or other sources) is high enough it can cause your SSI payments to stop altogether.

SSI deeming computations are complex and can be affected by numerous variables, so I have no way of knowing if the computation in your case is correct. About your only possible recourse would be to file an appeal if you think that Social Security's determination is incorrect (https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-appeals-ussi.htm).

You also mention caring for a disabled child, so if you haven't already done so you may want to check on possible entitlement to SSI and/or disabled adult child's benefits for her on your or her father's Social Security records.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
May 3 2018 - 10:50am
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