Will I Lose My SSD Benefits if I Move to a Different State?
Social Security disability (SSD) is a federal program based on your work history and contributions to the program through payroll taxes. Your eligibility for SSD won’t change if you move from one U.S. state to another. In fact, you can often continue to collect SSD benefits while living in a foreign country. However, Medicare benefits are generally only available to those in the United States.
While earned income is considered in determining SSD eligibility, other types of income and resources are not. So, if the SSD recipient is moving to another state because they inherited a $500,000 house or because they can live rent-free with a family member, that won’t have any impact on their benefits. However, there is one way a move–whether in-state or outside the state–can hurt the benefits you’re receiving from the Social Security Administration (SSA). That’s if you neglect to inform them. You must keep the SSA up to date on your whereabouts. Fortunately, the SSA makes it easy to update your contact information.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is Different from SSD
SSD and SSI are both administered by the SSA. However, the two programs are very different. While SSD benefits are based on the work credits you earned across your career, SSI is a need-based public benefit.
Like SSD, SSI is a federal program. However, some states offer supplemental payments to elderly and disabled residents who qualify for SSI. That means that the total amount of benefits an SSI recipient gets may change if they move from one state to another. It’s also worth noting that because SSI eligibility is based on income, certain changes in living arrangements may affect eligibility. For example, if an SSI recipient moves from one state to another to move in with a family member who will provide lodging and food at no cost, that may affect the SSI calculation.
Know Your SSD Rights
Whether you’re just applying for SSD benefits, are receiving benefits, and are concerned about how a change in your circumstances may affect your eligibility or are appealing a denial of SSD benefits, the process can be complicated and confusing. An experienced disability benefits advocate can be your guide. To learn more about how the knowledgeable advocates at Disability Help Group can assist with every stage of the SSD application and appeals process, call 800-800-3332 right away or click here to get a FREE evaluation of your case.
If you’re unable to work due to a disability, you may be struggling with medical bills and other expenses. While Social Security disability (SSD) is intended to provide income for people in just that situation, it can take months or years to get approved for SSD. Even after you’re approved, there’s a waiting period for Medicare, which means you may need to find other ways to cover medical expenses in the short term.
Many people in this situation are uncertain about what they can and can’t do to try to get by while waiting for an SSD determination or for Medicare benefits to kick in. The good news is that a fundraising effort like a GoFundMe campaign to pay medical bills will not impact your SSD–it won’t affect your application, and it won’t affect the benefits you’re already receiving. But, to ensure that your benefits are secure, it’s important to understand why a GoFundMe doesn’t impact SSD, and how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different.
SSD is Not a Need-Based Program
You may know that your earnings can disqualify you from Social Security disability benefits. That leads many people to worry that any income or assets they have may affect eligibility. But, SSD isn’t based on financial need. It’s an insurance-type program that workers pay for through FICA withholding or self-employment taxes. You can be a millionaire and still collect SSD if you have sufficient work credits and the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers you disabled.
The reason earned income counts against you is that if you’re able to earn a certain amount in a month through work ($1,550 in 2024 unless you’re blind–then it’s $2,590), the SSA doesn’t consider you disabled. Other sources of income like a GoFundMe campaign, gifts, income on investments, trust payouts, and even winning the lottery don’t count.
SSI is Based on Financial Need
SSI is a needs-based program that is not funded through payroll deductions. Therefore, income from a wider range of sources is considered when determining eligibility–whether you earned that income or not. In other words, if you are receiving SSI or applying for SSI, the money you get through a campaign like a GoFundMe can disqualify you.
Applying for SSD Benefits And Concerned Your GoFundMe Will Affect The Process?
The experienced disability benefits at Disability Help Group know this type of question is just one example of the many ways the SSD application and appeals process can be confusing. Small mistakes can delay benefits or result in denial. To learn more about how we put our experience to work for people like you, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
Social Security disability and other Social Security benefits are often the recipient’s main–or only–source of support. Both types of benefits are protected from most creditors, meaning that your Social Security disability or retirement benefits won’t be disrupted by garnishment to pay debts like credit card bills and medical collection accounts. But, there are exceptions.
One important exception is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) can recoup (take back) money that was overpaid to a recipient. They’re required by law to try to collect that money. In the past, that’s created crises for some who rely on disability benefits, because the SSA could take a recipient’s full disability check to pay themselves back. Fortunately, that’s changed in 2024.
Default Social Security Recoupment Rates Drop Dramatically
Until recently, the default for collecting over paid money from a Social Security recipient was for the SSA to keep 100% of the recipient’s benefits until the overpayment was repaid in full. Suddenly losing benefits entirely for a month or more could be catastrophic for someone reliant on disability payments.
Now, the default recoupment rate is 10%. That means that in most overpayment cases, the SSA will withhold 10% from each benefit check instead of recouping the overpayment as fast as possible by withholding full benefits. Note, though, that this new rule doesn’t apply in every case. For instance, if the overpayment resulted from fraud on the recipient’s part, the SSA can recoup more aggressively.
The SSA has also made other changes that will make it easier for disability recipients and others who rely on Social Security payments to repay overpayments over time, or even to avoid repayment.
What to Do When You Get an Overpayment Letter
When the SSA determines that you’ve received an overpayment, the first thing you should do is check to see whether you believe you have been overpaid. If you think the overpayment notice is an error, you can request reconsideration.
If you believe you received an overpayment but it wasn’t your fault and you can’t afford to pay the SSA back, you can request a waiver.
If you agree that you received an overpayment and you can afford to repay it over time, but can’t afford the amount the SSA is taking out of your benefit each month, you can request a change in the recovery rate. This option is only available if you show that you can’t afford your basic living expenses with the current rate of recoupment.
Need help? At Disability Help Group, we know the SSA’s processes can be complicated and daunting. Whether you’re facing issues with an overpayment, are just starting your disability application, or have been denied benefits, our experienced advocates are here for you. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
How to Fill Out the SSA Function Report within the Timeline
The Social Security disability (SSD) application process can be stressful, and that’s never more true than when you’re up against a tight timeline. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) asks you to complete a “function report,” you’ll typically have just 10 days to respond. That can be especially daunting because the form is 10 pages long.
The short timeline often inspires applicants to scramble, meaning they may do a cursory job of completing the form and leave out important information. You can’t afford to make that mistake. If you’re working with a disability benefits advocate, contact them immediately if the SSA asks you to complete a function report.
What is the Social Security Function Report?
A function report asks you for a wide range of information about your condition, treatment, and impact on day-to-day life, including:
Information about your living situation
Information about how your condition limits your ability to work
Information about your typical daily activities
Information about other people or animals you care for and what help you receive
Information about changes in your abilities since you became ill or were injured
Information about how your condition affects your ability to perform certain personal care and maintenance activities like bathing and preparing meals
Information about activities outside the house and how you get around
Information about your basic physical abilities and mental tolerance
Information about equipment you use, such as a wheelchair or walker
Information about the medications you take and any side effects
The form also provides an opportunity for additional comments if you have information that wasn’t covered in a question.
It’s very important to take full advantage of this opportunity to provide information to the SSA about how your life and ability to work and to care for yourself has been affected by your medical condition. Your answers could make the difference between having your SSD claim approved or having to go through a lengthy appeals process.
Ideally, you will complete the form thoroughly within the time allotted. But, your SSD benefits advocate may tell you that it’s more important to complete the form thoroughly and provide complete information, even if that takes a few more days. Make sure to get the advice you need immediately after receiving the form.
Disability Help Group is Here for You
The seasoned advocates at Disability Help Group are dedicated to helping people with disabilities get the benefits they deserve. Whether you are just applying for SSD or you are appealing a denial, call us today at 800-800-3332 to learn more about how we can help. Or, fill out the contact form on this page.
Short-term disability benefits can be an important safety net when you are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. Unlike Social Security disability (SSD), short-term disability is strictly time-limited. And, what is covered and for how long may vary depending on your short-term disability insurance policy.
What is Short-Term Disability Insurance?
This is an insurance policy you may purchase, or that may be provided by your employer. The coverage replaces a portion of your income for a limited time if you are unable to work due to a covered medical condition, illness, or injury. Most short-term disability policies pay about half of the disabled worker’s regular earnings, but that percentage can be higher or lower depending on the policy.
In most states, short-term disability is optional. Employers can choose whether or not to offer the coverage, and workers can choose whether or not to purchase their own policies. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of workers without coverage. In a few states, short-term disability is covered by a state program, or employers are required to provide coverage.
How Long Can You Collect Benefits?
The amount of time you can collect short-term disability benefits will depend on the terms of your short-term disability policy. It’s common for the cap to be either three months or six months. If your disability lasts longer than that, you will need to pursue other options, such as filing a claim under any long-term disability policy you may have and applying for SSD. If you have long-term disability coverage, you will likely be required to apply for SSD, and your benefits may be reduced by the amount you receive.
Know Your Benefits Policy
Many people who have employer-provided coverage don’t pay much attention to the terms of the policy. That can mean scrambling to figure things out when injury or illness strikes. If you have coverage, take the time to understand your policy and know what coverage will be available if you need it. If you don’t have short-term disability coverage, consider looking into purchasing coverage. SSD benefits are only available if you are or are expected to be disabled for at least a year, and can take even longer to receive. That can leave a significant gap in income if you don’t have short-term coverage.
Having Trouble with Short-Term Disability?
If you’re unable to work due to disability, Disability Help Group is here for you. Whether you’re having trouble with your disability policy, your long-term disability policy, or your SSD application or appeal, our experienced advocates can help. Call us today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form to learn more here.
