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SSI
- Thread starter anonymous
- Start date
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>
Im just confused as to how they can tell you that your account cant go over $2000.00 when they are the ones that are giving you the money?? do they expect you to go out and just spend it?? i know there has been other questions on this just cant find them!!</end quote></div>
Basically if it seems to you will have a reserve (whether is from the SSI $$ or other sources) they dont believe you need the additional $$ then. They dont make it so you have a savings etc. The idea is to meet the basic needs & nothing more........thus many people dont keep all the $$ in a bank account that can be tracked. Something has to be said for the old timers that use to keep it under the mattress!
Im just confused as to how they can tell you that your account cant go over $2000.00 when they are the ones that are giving you the money?? do they expect you to go out and just spend it?? i know there has been other questions on this just cant find them!!</end quote></div>
Basically if it seems to you will have a reserve (whether is from the SSI $$ or other sources) they dont believe you need the additional $$ then. They dont make it so you have a savings etc. The idea is to meet the basic needs & nothing more........thus many people dont keep all the $$ in a bank account that can be tracked. Something has to be said for the old timers that use to keep it under the mattress!
Christi,
If you are married, it should be a limit of $3000, athough that doens't really make a big difference.
This is why I hate SSI, it's helpful to pay bills and such but how can the expect someone NOT to have a reserve of $$$$ for emergencies and college and such?????
What others have done is open up a bank account in a relatives name (most often their mom or dad) and sign an agreement stating that the money in such and such an account belongs to "XXXX" to be used for "XXX" reasons (you can even leave the reason out if you wish). Keep copies of the account statements together in case any family feud happens (you never know) and keep a record of how the money is spent in case you ever have to prove that more money was taken out.
That's really the only think I've heard of people doing....
If you are married, it should be a limit of $3000, athough that doens't really make a big difference.
This is why I hate SSI, it's helpful to pay bills and such but how can the expect someone NOT to have a reserve of $$$$ for emergencies and college and such?????
What others have done is open up a bank account in a relatives name (most often their mom or dad) and sign an agreement stating that the money in such and such an account belongs to "XXXX" to be used for "XXX" reasons (you can even leave the reason out if you wish). Keep copies of the account statements together in case any family feud happens (you never know) and keep a record of how the money is spent in case you ever have to prove that more money was taken out.
That's really the only think I've heard of people doing....
DietRootBeer
New member
My girlfriend has a safety deposit box ( not cf related but going through a divorce) . Does SSI have to know if you have a safety deposit box? Atleast that way you do not have to rely on others incase the relationship goes sour.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>DietRootBeer</b></i>
My girlfriend has a safety deposit box ( not cf related but going through a divorce) . Does SSI have to know if you have a safety deposit box? Atleast that way you do not have to rely on others incase the relationship goes sour.</end quote></div>
WHen I use to do SSI applications at our local hospital they asked for that info just like life insurance, ira's etc. Anything that is a spendable or liquidable asset!
My girlfriend has a safety deposit box ( not cf related but going through a divorce) . Does SSI have to know if you have a safety deposit box? Atleast that way you do not have to rely on others incase the relationship goes sour.</end quote></div>
WHen I use to do SSI applications at our local hospital they asked for that info just like life insurance, ira's etc. Anything that is a spendable or liquidable asset!
What do you mean "don't you have to claim where the money is spent?"
One doesn't have to claim where any money is spent for anything. The only thing that sucks about a bank account is that the SSA can alwasy see how much money you have in your account. That is the whole point of putting it in someone elses name.
Keeping it under the mattress... I've thought of that one but you are SOL if you get burgularized, you have a fire in your house... because I don't believe you can report stolen/burnt/lost cash in an insurance claim.
Are you talking about taxes and such when you mention claiming it?
One doesn't have to claim where any money is spent for anything. The only thing that sucks about a bank account is that the SSA can alwasy see how much money you have in your account. That is the whole point of putting it in someone elses name.
Keeping it under the mattress... I've thought of that one but you are SOL if you get burgularized, you have a fire in your house... because I don't believe you can report stolen/burnt/lost cash in an insurance claim.
Are you talking about taxes and such when you mention claiming it?
To answer the question from the mom of a 5 yr old boy -- No, SSI doesn't require receipts to prove where the money was spent. They just ask you keep a basic ledger of money in and money out. They only categorize spending on two groups ~ I don't have the thing in front of me at the moment but it is basically "medical" and "personal" (covering everything else like food, clothing, rent, household goods etc)
As far as I am aware, most SSI payments are less than $600 per month so it is very believable that someone could spend it all every month on basic living expenses. They (SSI) do not expect to see anyone being able to "save" any money. The idea behind the program is to give those people who are both "low income and with a disability that prevents them from working (or working very much)" some assistance for basic needs. If you are able to save your SSI money for a rainy day and have a savings account with more than $2000 in it, they figure you are no longer "low income" because you have $2000 at your disposal.
I have been told that savings accounts for "funeral expenses" are exempt from counting towards your assets. I don't know what the rules are about this.... I have often wondered if it is as easy as saying "yep, that saving account right there is designated as my funeral fund" (then you could still make a withdrawal if you needed to) or if there is some lock/restriction that the bank can put on it.
As far as I am aware, most SSI payments are less than $600 per month so it is very believable that someone could spend it all every month on basic living expenses. They (SSI) do not expect to see anyone being able to "save" any money. The idea behind the program is to give those people who are both "low income and with a disability that prevents them from working (or working very much)" some assistance for basic needs. If you are able to save your SSI money for a rainy day and have a savings account with more than $2000 in it, they figure you are no longer "low income" because you have $2000 at your disposal.
I have been told that savings accounts for "funeral expenses" are exempt from counting towards your assets. I don't know what the rules are about this.... I have often wondered if it is as easy as saying "yep, that saving account right there is designated as my funeral fund" (then you could still make a withdrawal if you needed to) or if there is some lock/restriction that the bank can put on it.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Alyssa</b></i>
I have been told that savings accounts for "funeral expenses" are exempt from counting towards your assets. I don't know what the rules are about this.... I have often wondered if it is as easy as saying "yep, that saving account right there is designated as my funeral fund" (then you could still make a withdrawal if you needed to) or if there is some lock/restriction that the bank can put on it.</end quote></div>
They are, but there is a maximum on it. I dont know the figure off the top of my head, but there is & I believe it needs to be set up in a special account! Its been a few years since dealing with this at our local hospital so things might have changed, but I dont think so!
I have been told that savings accounts for "funeral expenses" are exempt from counting towards your assets. I don't know what the rules are about this.... I have often wondered if it is as easy as saying "yep, that saving account right there is designated as my funeral fund" (then you could still make a withdrawal if you needed to) or if there is some lock/restriction that the bank can put on it.</end quote></div>
They are, but there is a maximum on it. I dont know the figure off the top of my head, but there is & I believe it needs to be set up in a special account! Its been a few years since dealing with this at our local hospital so things might have changed, but I dont think so!
I was under the impression that you have to basically beable to claim where your SSI money is spent if they should ever ask you, kind of like an audit and you were to keep all receipts, copies of checks, etc., I have 2 kids on it and this was what I was told. So this is what we do.
Mom to 5 yr old with cf
Mom to 5 yr old with cf
I dont collect SSI, but I do collect SSDI & my daughter recevies some under my name. I do have to fill out a form to account for her portion once a year. I dont need to provide receipts (yet anyway) just complete the form. We are allowed savings accounts so it makes it easier. I guess this doesnt help much since the whole idea is about SSI being limited income/asset!
littledebbie
New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>JazzysMom</b></i> <div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally
posted by: <b>DietRootBeer</b></i> My girlfriend has a safety
deposit box ( not cf related but going through a divorce) . Does
SSI have to know if you have a safety deposit box? Atleast that way
you do not have to rely on others incase the relationship goes
sour.</end quote></div> WHen I use to do SSI applications at our local hospital
they asked for that info just like life insurance, ira's etc.
Anything that is a spendable or liquidable asset!</end quote></div><br>
<br>
You know I was on SSI for a few months once an I just didn't tel
them EVERYTHING. i would recommend the safety deposit box and
then just keeping that to yourself. Really they have bigger
fish to fry and they are totally going to belive you are spending
the full amount on your living expenses. They aren't going to
go looking for a safety deposit box and if they do...tell them you
have photos and birth certificates in it.<br>
<br>
I know that sounds awful but I think it's more awful that they
don't make an allowance to have a little emergency fund.
Things happen they don't give you an increase if your car
need repairs...well your not supposed to have a car that would be
an asset....they don't give you more if you want to take a little
weekend trip...nothing..they just expect you to live a very meager
existence. If you are trying to actually Live solely on SSI which a
lot of people are you are basically sentenced to live at the
poverty level if not below. <br>
<br>
Just my opinion though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Oh and i might add in case others
can actually live off $600 a month, that's CA basic going rate and
you cannot live in CA on $600 a month unless you live in a box
under an overpass.
posted by: <b>DietRootBeer</b></i> My girlfriend has a safety
deposit box ( not cf related but going through a divorce) . Does
SSI have to know if you have a safety deposit box? Atleast that way
you do not have to rely on others incase the relationship goes
sour.</end quote></div> WHen I use to do SSI applications at our local hospital
they asked for that info just like life insurance, ira's etc.
Anything that is a spendable or liquidable asset!</end quote></div><br>
<br>
You know I was on SSI for a few months once an I just didn't tel
them EVERYTHING. i would recommend the safety deposit box and
then just keeping that to yourself. Really they have bigger
fish to fry and they are totally going to belive you are spending
the full amount on your living expenses. They aren't going to
go looking for a safety deposit box and if they do...tell them you
have photos and birth certificates in it.<br>
<br>
I know that sounds awful but I think it's more awful that they
don't make an allowance to have a little emergency fund.
Things happen they don't give you an increase if your car
need repairs...well your not supposed to have a car that would be
an asset....they don't give you more if you want to take a little
weekend trip...nothing..they just expect you to live a very meager
existence. If you are trying to actually Live solely on SSI which a
lot of people are you are basically sentenced to live at the
poverty level if not below. <br>
<br>
Just my opinion though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Oh and i might add in case others
can actually live off $600 a month, that's CA basic going rate and
you cannot live in CA on $600 a month unless you live in a box
under an overpass.
Emily65Roses
New member
Yeah, the SSI system is stupid. Hey, you're sick and can't work, so we'll pay you. But we'll only give you enough to pay a phone bill, a gas bill, and maybe pay for some food. Every other person on the planet has a savings account for important things, emergencies, etc. Not even necessarily for emergencies, but if say, your kid is getting SSI, how about a college fund? Oh wait, you're over $2000, okay screw you, no more money. Yeah no.
Do it old school. Mattress (though I wouldn't recommend that one), an account in someone else's name, safety deposit box, etc etc etc. Keep whatever you're going to spend in the account they know about, and make deposits into something you've set aside.
Like me for instance. Yes, I can pay my gas bill, my phone bills, my credit card bills, a little bit of food, and maybe a CD or movie in a month. But what happens when I need a new car? Or I want to put a down payment on a house? What if I want nice furniture for that house? What if I want a honeymoon? They basically tell you "too bad." I say "shove it." Everyone is allowed to have savings. For various reasons.
I remember when they told me that rule, I went off on a rant. It's like "Okay, I already know I'm subhuman because I can't work right now, but now you're telling me I'm not allowed to have savings like every other human??? Yeah thanks, now I feel like a slug." It's not like I wanted MORE money from them. I just want to do what I please with what they give me. Would they rather I blow it all on candy and prostitutes? I doubt it. Ah well.
Do it old school. Mattress (though I wouldn't recommend that one), an account in someone else's name, safety deposit box, etc etc etc. Keep whatever you're going to spend in the account they know about, and make deposits into something you've set aside.
Like me for instance. Yes, I can pay my gas bill, my phone bills, my credit card bills, a little bit of food, and maybe a CD or movie in a month. But what happens when I need a new car? Or I want to put a down payment on a house? What if I want nice furniture for that house? What if I want a honeymoon? They basically tell you "too bad." I say "shove it." Everyone is allowed to have savings. For various reasons.
I remember when they told me that rule, I went off on a rant. It's like "Okay, I already know I'm subhuman because I can't work right now, but now you're telling me I'm not allowed to have savings like every other human??? Yeah thanks, now I feel like a slug." It's not like I wanted MORE money from them. I just want to do what I please with what they give me. Would they rather I blow it all on candy and prostitutes? I doubt it. Ah well.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>
I was under the impression that you have to basically beable to claim where your SSI money is spent if they should ever ask you, kind of like an audit and you were to keep all receipts, copies of checks, etc., I have 2 kids on it and this was what I was told. So this is what we do.
Mom to 5 yr old with cf</end quote></div>
I would make it very simple for them... save all my grocery bills from every month and 1 or 2 of my "utility" bills. Those are things you have to pay for to survive- surely that adds up to $600-800 a month. It is my understanding they cannont question your other earned income (i.e. from a job) and how YOU CHOOSE to spend that money.
I was under the impression that you have to basically beable to claim where your SSI money is spent if they should ever ask you, kind of like an audit and you were to keep all receipts, copies of checks, etc., I have 2 kids on it and this was what I was told. So this is what we do.
Mom to 5 yr old with cf</end quote></div>
I would make it very simple for them... save all my grocery bills from every month and 1 or 2 of my "utility" bills. Those are things you have to pay for to survive- surely that adds up to $600-800 a month. It is my understanding they cannont question your other earned income (i.e. from a job) and how YOU CHOOSE to spend that money.