Social Security Administration No Longer Includes Food Assistance from Third Parties in ISM Calculations
Earlier this year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published a final rule entitled “ Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations .” The final rule went into effect on September 30, 2024. Overall, the rule will likely make more people eligible for SSI benefits. The changes also …
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Social Security Changes Rules on Recouping Benefit Overpayments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will change how it collects past benefit overpayments to Social Security recipients. SSA’s previous overpayment policies have left many Americans with disabilities in dire financial circumstances. SSA previously insisted that individuals with benefits overpayments immediately …
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Does In-Kind Support and Maintenance from Family Members Affect Eligibility for SSI Benefits for My Adult Child with Special Needs?
In-kind support and maintenance can be beneficial, but it must be handled carefully. When family members live with individuals with special needs or provide them with certain forms of financial support, like food or housing, the eligibility of these individuals …
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Financial Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Supporting children with special needs typically goes far beyond age 18 and often is a lifelong commitment. Children with special needs may also have more financial needs than other children, especially if they have complex medical problems or require a …
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How to Fund a Special Needs Trust
A special needs trust is often the best way for parents to plan for the future care of a child. The proceeds of a special needs trust can help pay for items and services that government assistance doesn’t cover, like …
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Working When an Adult with Special Needs Receives SSI or Social Security Disability Benefits
When an adult with special needs receives any Social Security benefits, earning wages from working could affect those benefits. However, the impact that working can have on Social Security benefits depends largely on what type of benefits the adult receives …
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SSI Recipients to See Significant Increase in 2023 Benefits
One common source of income for individuals with special needs, both as children and as adults, is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This federal means-tested benefits program provides monthly cash assistance for individuals who are disabled and unable to work. As …
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What Happens to Public Benefits Eligibility if Your Child with Special Needs Marries?
Some adults with special needs eventually choose to marry. When this happens, you may be concerned about the impact of your adult child’s marriage on their ability to continue to receive public benefits. When your adult child with special needs …
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Reporting Requirements: What Your Adult Child with Special Needs Must Report When Receiving Social Security Benefits
Many adult children with special needs receive Social Security benefits. Furthermore, many parents of adult children with special needs serve as their children’s guardians, powers of attorney, and/or representative payees for Social Security benefits. As a result, parents should be …
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How Can My Adult Child Continue to Receive Child Support from a Parent Without Jeopardizing Their Medicaid and SSI Eligibility?
Under Illinois law, children may have a right to receive child support from one or both parents after they reach adulthood if they are disabled. However, they also may be eligible to receive Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which …
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How Social Security Evaluates A Trust As A Countable Resource
A person’s resources affect the ability to qualify for crucial government benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets forth resource limits for SSI applicants and recipients. For example, to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), countable resources must not be worth more …
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Qualifying For Disability Benefits As An Adult
Social Security benefits are available through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to people who cannot work because they have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death. Adults must meet a very …
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