Why October is the Best Time for SSDI Recipients to Apply for SSI Benefits
According to Vibes.okdiario, Some Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients may find themselves with a low income but still not qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It’s important to note that SSDI payments are compatible with SSI. If you’ve previously applied for SSI and were denied due to a slightly higher income, now might be the perfect time to reapply, especially since the Social Security Administration (SSA) has expanded eligibility criteria and implemented new rules.
Key Changes to SSI Affecting SSDI Recipients
As of September 30, 2024, the SSA has introduced several changes that could benefit SSDI recipients:
- Expansion of the Definition of Public Assistance Household: This change is particularly beneficial for those receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to SSDI.
- Exclusion of Food from In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations: The SSA will no longer include food as part of the ISM calculations, which has had a significant impact on benefit amounts.
- Broadening of Rental Subsidy Policy: The rental subsidy policy has been expanded to include all SSI applicants, providing additional support to those who qualify.
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These measures have already shown positive effects. For instance, the removal of food from ISM calculations has led to an increase of $131 in benefits for more than 90,000 recipients. Additionally, about 41,000 recipients have seen an increase of approximately $132 due to the new rental assistance provisions.
Potential SSI Payments for SSDI Recipients
If you are currently receiving SSDI benefits, it’s important to understand how that might affect your SSI eligibility. Typically, SSDI recipients may see a reduction in the maximum SSI amount. Thus, you may not qualify for the full $943 (maximum amount for an individual) or $1,415 (for eligible married couples).
The average SSI payment is around $698, while SSDI recipients receive an average of $1,539. It’s crucial to remember that the average payment for seniors aged 65 or older tends to be lower since many receive retirement benefits. These seniors typically receive about $575 from SSI on average.