Other Life Events

Whatever happens in your future and if you continue to be on benefits, make sure you report everything to SSA.

It’s a fact that no one can ever really predict or control the future. However, you can control what you do today. With respect to your Social Security benefits, it’s important that you learn how other life events can impact your benefits and how your benefits can impact your decisions around other life events like living on your own, getting married, and having a family.

 

Living Independently

The first thing a lot of people want to do when they turn 18 is move out of their parent’s home; it’s natural to want more freedom and to live independently.

If you’re on SSI and your living situation changes, this can have a direct impact on your monthly cash payments. With SSI, the more responsibility you have, the more money you may be entitled to (up to a maximum amount). Check out the diagram below that outlines different living situations and the maximum 2014 SSI payments for each.

Changes in life events for young adults on SSI

 

 

Getting Married

Is marriage one of your future goals or dreams? If so, and if you’re currently on SSI, you should be aware of the following facts about how things change when you get married:

  1. Once you get married, Social Security will look at you and your spouse as one regardless if only one of you is receiving SSI.  That is, Social Security will take into account both of your incomes when calculating your monthly SSI check.
  2. Social Security will also reduce your SSI eligibilty resource limit  from $2,000 as a single indivual to $1,500 per spouse (or $3,000 per couple).
  3. If neither you nor your spouse is entitled to any more SSI cash payments, then you’ll most likely lose your MassHealth.

As you can see, the status of your SSI and your MassHealth can get complicated when you get married. Just remember that these are the basics and if you need more assistance, contact a benefits expert near you to give you a detailed analyisis of your situation!

 

 

Having a Family

If you’re receiving either SSI or SSDI, here are some general things you should know if and when you ever have a child:

  • If you’re on SSI, you won’t be entitled to more money because you have a child. Also, if your child recieves some type of government assistance, this could reduce your SSI check.
  • If you’re on SSDI, you could get up to 50% more in your total cash benefit because you will now have a -dependent child-. This additional money is intended to be spent on your child until they turn 18. Please note that this does not apply to Childhood Disability Benefits recipients.

 

 

The Take Away

Whatever happens in your future and if you continue to be on benefits, make sure you report everything to SSA. You want to make sure you maintain a good relationship with Social Security so when you become self-sufficient, you will do so on a good note.