Will Cohabitating an apartment with a friend cause her to lose her SSI?

Question

If I rent an apartment with a friend who is on SSI and medicaid, will she lose her benefits based on my income, which if counted as part of her resources would cause her to lose her benefits.

Answer 1

If you and your friend are both paying your "fair share" of rent and food, her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will not be affected. If you are contributing to her rent and/or are paying for some of her food, her SSI could be lowered by one-third if the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines it's a significant enough contribution. As long as she is financially eligible for SSI she remains eligible for Medicaid.

Here are the official procedures SSA uses to make decisions under the One-Third Reduction Provision:

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500835200

If your living arrangement is romantic, not just platonic, this is okay too unless you present yourselves to the world as "married" (SSA calls this "Holding Out" as married) or if you're living in a state that recognizes common law marriage and enough time has passed. Marriage usually reduces or eliminates one's benefits.

If someone gives her cash it's considered "unearned income." Any amount over $20 in a month can cause her SSI benefits to be reduced $1 for $1. If she has "earned income" there are more generous but complicated rules.

If she needs help with her benefits she can contact a benefits advocate through her local independent living center. To find her local center goto:

http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html

I hope this is helpful and that your living arrangements work out well. You can e-mail or IM me through this site if you need more information.

Alana
SSI Beneficiary with Lots of Housemates (1981 - 2004)
Benefits Advocate Since 1995

Answer 2

The portion you pay in rent and utilities may cause some loss of SSI.

Answer 3

At present, if your name is on the rental contract with your friend, this could be problematic. If you rent or she rent, then only by marriage does your income get counted. That is the best I know of.

Answer 4

Do not let SSI know!
Do not put your name on the lease.