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I am married we are both on SSI.
We need to make more money can i work at all if we are on ssi?

2007-02-28 14:21:52 · 11 answers · asked by Patricia H 1 in Politics & Government Other - Politics & Government

11 answers

Yes, you can earn money when you're on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but both programs have strict rules that govern how your benefits will be affected by earned income. First, be absolutely sure that you know which of these benefits programs you're on. It's important because they have different rules. Look at your bank statement or ask someone at SSA. Some people are on both programs. If that's the case, you follow both sets of rules at the same time.

The best place to read about the rules is in SSA's publication called the Red Book. You can get it at your local SSA office or read it on-line at:

http://www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook_page.html

The basics are:

If you are only on SSI you can earn up to $65/mo and receive up to $20/mo. (whether it's earned or unearned) without affecting your SSI. Any earned income above that amount will reduce you future SSI check by $1 for every $2 you earn. For example, if in February you earn $685 gross and you report it in writing by showing SSA your paystub by March 10th, you keep the 1st $85 without penalty and your April SSI check will be reduced by $300. If you have out-of-pocket expenses that relate to your disability AND your ability to work, you may be able to count them when calculating your gross income. Read about them - Impairment Related Work Expenses - in the Red Book. Also, if your earned income gets high enough to make your SSI check go down to $0, you can still keep you Medicaid under an SSI program called 1619b, also in the Red Book. Note: The rules are a little different for self-employed people and blind people.

If you are on SSDI, the rules are very different. If this is the case, read the Red Book, talk with a benefits advocate, or e-mail me through this web site. To find a benefits advocate in your area, contact your local independent living center. You can find yours at:

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

Good luck! Working definitely improved my quality of life both financially and emotionally.

Alana
Benefits Advocate
Former SSI Beneficiary, Now Working on SSDI

2007-03-04 14:19:42 · answer #1 · answered by althegrrl 3 · 0 0

Yes, but you must report the income, and if your earning exceed the min, deduction of the difference will be deducted from your benefits.
Your SSI Office will be able to tell you exactly how much extra you can earn a month without affecting your benefits

2007-02-28 14:34:43 · answer #2 · answered by cloudchaser1964 1 · 0 0

Yes, but your total household income, including anyone not related to you who lives with you, cannot exceed the limits set for your circumstances. For every dollar you earn over the limit, you lose about 50 cents in SSI money. Talk to your caseworker and find out how much you can make.

2007-02-28 14:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by normobrian 6 · 0 0

SSI is Supplemental Security Income - it is designed to supplement your income for elderly or disabled people that have little to no income.... so if it is suppose to supplement your income.. then I guess so.. I'm sure there is a cap off though- so if you make so much money they will probably stop your benefits.

2007-02-28 14:27:23 · answer #4 · answered by katjha2005 5 · 0 0

You can work but they put you on an explorer program for about 9 months you can make unlimited money then after that trial period you can only make under 900 dollars a month or you will lose your benefits totally and you will need to re-apply.

2007-02-28 16:22:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

that a major gamble you might lose your SSI tread lightly, they can kick you off, and if you cant hold a full time job it maybe not worth it

2007-02-28 14:27:52 · answer #6 · answered by blue_eyed_southernman 4 · 0 1

Yes.

2007-02-28 14:24:16 · answer #7 · answered by Timothy M 5 · 0 0

yes

2007-02-28 14:29:23 · answer #8 · answered by Michael K 5 · 0 0

yes but you can only make 800 dollars a month.

2007-02-28 14:25:27 · answer #9 · answered by askmike 5 · 0 1

You could work, but I believe you would have to report it. maybe you could do Ebay as a hobby.

2007-02-28 14:25:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

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