Social Security Entitlements

Unemployment benefits and their affect on SSDI and SSI benefits.

2010-11-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Unemployment insurance program was established under the Social security Act of 1935. it provides temporary and partial replacement of income to individuals who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own.

A person receiving SSDI benefits , can file for unemployment benefits, and have no impact on their cash benefit amount, because it is considered unearned income, according to SSA. Therefore, unearened income generally does not have an affect on SSDI benefits, but earned income is counted.

However, disabled individuals receiving SSI benefits will have an impact on their cash benefit payment , as a result of receiving unemployment benefits. Unemployment is counted as unearned income. SSA counts earned, and unearned income when calculating the SSI monthly payment amount.

It is important to report all changes affecting income to the Social Security Administration , including the loss of earnings.

How to work and still receive Social Security Benefits

2010-11-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Did you know that many disabled persons can work , and still receive Social Security benefits?

Well, it's true that , with the help of many work incentives persons receiving Social Security Entitlements are able to work, and still keep some , or all , of their monthly benefits.

What are Work Incentives?

Work Incentives are simply monthly expenses paid for by a disabled individual , that enables them to work. The Social Security Administration(SSA) will then deduct that work related expense from the gross earnings of the person working. The calculation used is slightly different for SSI , and SSDI. The work incentives for SSI, and SSDI are somewhat different, also persons who are legally blind have greater deductions than, disabled persons who are not. Here is a list of deductible work related work expenes:

vehicle modifications
job coaching
attendent services
medications
assistive devices
therapies
transportation

Social Security Entitlements

2010-11-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

What are Enttlements?
Entitlements are any federal payments to groups or individuals that is mandatory/legally obligated by the government according to certain criteria. Examples of this include Medicare/Medicaid and , Social Security benefits, various Section - 8 housing programs, Food Stamps , TANF- temporary assistance for needy families. etc...

The Social Security Administration (SSA), is a federal agency that administers two entitlement benefit programs for people with disabilities known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Title XVI, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Title II.

Disabled individuals who are eligible for SSI are also eligible for Medicaid, and disabled individuals who are eligible for SSDI are eligleble for Medicare, and sometimes Medicaid, I will explain in a later post.

What is the definition of a disabiltiy according to SSA?

The definition is the same for both Social Security Entitlement programs. The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity(SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.