I was just awarded ssdi the check is very small although I worked in my lifetime it is no way enough for me .?

Question

I cannot survive on the amount.I was wondering if you can get ssi and ssdi at the same time I have heard conflicting things.It seems most of what I read in the pamphlets says you can.I am worried sick after I saw my monthly benefits,it is barely anything.what can I do i know its below poverty level if the s.s. adminstration knows this will I get ssi too ??Or should I go to my nearest ss board with my letters and see what is going on.my lawyer doesnt want to deal with me now that case is over.I cant work and I dont know what Im gonna do.I cant sleep or eat im so distressed.

Answer 1

I get both so it is possible. You should try to apply for foodstamps so u can have enough money each month. I wish it was easier for you but it is like being on welfare....Don't let this get to you, you can kill yourself from so much stress.. Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

i don't think that you can get both ssdi and ssi checks. ssdi is a greater amount. ssi is the lowest possible amount any person can get for disabilities. you need to also visit your local public aid department or department of human services, whatever your municipality, county, or state refers to it as. apply for food stamps and any cash benefit you can get. you will not get much.

yes, you can work while receiving either of the above benefits. what i have read is appalling, however! if a person receives ssi, for example, and works, for every two dollars you make (gross, not net, not even a singular net, such as just your gross pay minus the FICA tax), they take one dollar off of your benefits!

so if you get $500/month on ssdi/ssi and you can find work for the disabled, or other work, if you made, for example, a total gross pay in one month of $200, they will take $100 off of your $500 ssi benefit. that yields $400 ssi. now, then, remember that it is based on gross, not net, income. so then, considering that all taxes taken out of your paycheck amount to around 28-30% (i will use 30%) of that gross pay, that means that .30 x 200 = $60. therefore, you have made, net, only $140. but uncle sam will take away a full $100 from your $500 ssi check! so then, all you get is:

$400
+140 net
= $540.

so i want to know, why would a disabled person even try to work?

it does not make too much sense to me, and it irritates me too, since i see so many non-citizens obtaining great loans at very low interest rates when they never paid taxes in the usa in the past! but YOU did!

another source is to go to the website for the social security administration. it is some .gov site, then navigate around to learn what can be done.

i know a person that gets ssi. there is a way to develop an employment program that may or may not afford you moneys for costs to buy certain types of equipment/uniforms, etc., that you have to have to run your business. ask about it. i think talk is about it in a pamphlet called "working for the disabled."

Answer 3

The following was taken from the Social Security Administrations web site:


Question
Can I receive Social Security benefits and SSI?

Answer
You may be able to receive SSI in addition to monthly Social Security benefits, if your Social Security benefit is low enough to qualify.

The amount of your SSI benefit depends on where you live. The basic SSI check is the same nationwide. Effective January 2007, the SSI payment for an eligible individual is $623 per month and $934 per month for an eligible couple. However, many states add money to the basic check.

Nothing like reading something for yourself to ease your mind and gather information in order to take action. You will find the info you need at the following web site

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

Never take someones else's word when you can do the research yourself, what may work for them, may or may not work for you.
Just take a look at the web site , its very informative

Answer 4

Check with your social security office to have them explain the benefits etc. you can also go to the Social Rehabilitation service...SRS office in your community and see if you qualify for health care, food stamps or cash. It is embarrassing to be in this situation but you just do what you have to do. I worked for two years to get my social security disability and I lived on nothing for that time it was awful !!!!!!! I had never been at that all time low in my life. I am kind of thinking that you can get both ssi and ssdi at the same time but check for sure. If you have any problems with the answers you are getting from your social security office you can write a letter to your senator and they can intervene for you and they will. I had to do that too,when you have worked all your life it is really upsetting to get something like 400 to 500 dollars to live on per month.good luck

Answer 5

You are allowed to work a little without losing benefits. You have to apply for SSI separately, but you should get, and still be able to work a little if you can.

Answer 6

you should talk to a caseworker at your local ssi office. if you are unable to work, they may be able to assist you, or at least point you in the right direction. if this is a work-related injury, perhaps you should seek the services of another attorney.
good luck.

Answer 7

Well, you might consider doing what you did most of your life, work! Millions of Americans are doing it, and they're already over sixty five. If you think it's bad now, wait til the boomers reach social security age, in two to five years.