Are you struggling to make ends meet even after receiving Social Security Disability Income or Social Security Retirement Benefits Payments? Don’t despair, fortunately, you may be eligible to receive simultaneous monthly Social Security benefits (disability or retirement) payments and Social Security Income (SSI) payments, called Concurrent Benefits. This also applies to children from birth up to age 18 who qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI).
What Are Concurrent Benefits?
According to the Social Security Administration, from January 2021 to November 2021, 2.6 million residents received both Social Security and SSI. So, what is the difference between Social Security and SSI you may ask? Individuals who have worked and paid into the social security system for a given number of years (usually 5 to 10 years) and fit the eligibility criteria can apply for Social Security Benefits (SSDI, or Retirement or Survivor Benefits). SSI, however, is based solely on an individual's income and resources, not on whether they have worked and paid into the social security system. This means, if you can qualify for SSI and you are over 62 or with a disability and have a low income and few resources, it’s possible to receive both benefits/concurrent benefits.
Who Qualifies for Concurrent Benefits?
To receive concurrent benefits, you must be approved for Social Security, but receive low monthly payments through the program. A low monthly Social Security benefit may be caused by the following circumstances:
You have worked very little or not at all in the last 10 years
You had very little work history at the time you became disabled
You became disabled at a young age, before building a significant work history
You earned relatively low wages throughout the course of your employment history
You may not be eligible for concurrent benefits if the Social Security Administration (SSA) deems your “countable” income as exceeding the federally set threshold. In 2021 income threshold is set at $794 a month for individuals and $1,191 for couples. California allows residents an extra $160 in countable income on top of that federal rate bringing the maximum amount a California SSI beneficiary could receive to $954. SSA considers SSDI and other benefit payments to be countable but exempts $20 a month from that tally. Therefore, in California, if you receive social security benefits that exceed $974 per month, you don't qualify for concurrent payments. If your benefits payment is less than that, you may qualify to receive SSI, but it will be reduced by the amount you receive for your other social security benefits payment. For example, Mary Jane, a 40-year-old, Long Beach resident, become disabled and was awarded $500 in SSDI benefits per month. As an existing HMHY CalFresh and food pantry client, our BAS advocates learned she could also qualify for SSI and successfully filed a concurrent benefit claim for her to receive an additional $474 per month in SSI benefits payments. With the $20 SSA exemption rule, she received $500 a month in SSDI and $474 in SSI, a total of $974 per month.
What are the advantages of Concurrent Benefits?
Even though Concurrent Benefits are capped by the SSI maximum, it can be an additional income source until you're able to go back to work. SSDI Benefits start in the sixth month after the date which the SSA determines you become disabled; therefore, it is beneficial to apply for SSI benefits to draw on the full amount while waiting for SSDI payments. A Concurrent Claim can also help with health care. SSI recipients in most states, including California, automatically receive Medicaid. However, SSDI recipients are required to wait to receive Medicare benefits 24 months after they have been awarded. You can also choose to stay on Medicaid, which covers some healthcare costs Medicare doesn’t.
Is it Easy to File a Social Security Claim?
Along with Social Security benefits, income from work and other sources are used to determine SSI eligibility and payments. The rules around this and what counts as income can be complicated. Fortunately, BAS advocates are multi-lingual (Spanish and English speaking), experienced claims experts who assist residents nationwide to file Social Security claims through the SSA. You won’t even need to leave your home as claims can be completed via telephone and electronically. BAS also maintains an industry high 80% success rate of all claims filed vs less than 40% of claims filed independently.
How Do I Get Started?
Simply complete a quick case review at helpmehelpu.org/bas and one of our expert advocates will contact you within 24 hours to assist you with your claim and answer any questions.
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