Helpful SSI Changes Reducing Customer Burden Take Effect

Social Security Administration policy updates that expand access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in line with the law went into effect on September 30, 2024. The agency no longer includes food in In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations, has expanded its rental subsidy policy exception, and has expanded the definition of a public assistance household.

"These changes will help more people access crucial SSI benefits," said Martin O'Malley, Commissioner of Social Security. "By simplifying and expanding our policies, we are making SSI smarter, removing barriers to accessing payments, and reducing the burden on the public and agency staff.”

The agency no longer includes food in ISM calculations. The new policy removes a critical barrier to SSI eligibility that an applicant or recipient might encounter if they get informal food assistance from friends, family, and community networks. The agency estimates this change could increase monthly SSI payments by about $131 per month for over 90,000 people and allow more people to qualify for benefits. (Refer to Press Release | Press Office | SSA)

Also, the agency is expanding a rental subsidy exception to all SSI applicants and recipients nationwide that previously applied in only seven states. This uniform nationwide policy will ensure that people paying at least a certain amount toward rent are not subject to ISM in the form of rental assistance. It is estimated this change could increase monthly SSI payments by about $132 per month for about 41,000 people and allow more people to qualify for SSI. (Refer to Press Release | Press Office | SSA)

Also, the agency is expanding the definition of a public assistance household in two important ways. First, the agency will add Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to the types of public assistance listed in the policy. Second, the agency will no longer require that all household members receive public assistance to be considered a public assistance household. The expanded definition allows more people to qualify for SSI, increases some SSI recipients' monthly payment amounts, and reduces reporting burdens for individuals living in public assistance households. These two changes could decrease the amount of ISM charged to applicants and recipients, resulting in increased SSI payments to about 277,000 people and making more people eligible for SSI in the coming years. (Refer to Press Release | Press Office | SSA)

SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, and to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.

For more information on the SSI program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | SSA.

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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO CHECK YOUR EARNINGS HISTORY

It may have been years or even decades since you thought about how much you earned at your first job. Did you know that you can find out how much you made that first year? Or any year you worked and paid Social Security taxes? Your earnings history is a record of your progress toward your future Social Security benefits. We track your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. That is why it’s so important for you to review your earnings record.

Even though it’s your employer’s responsibility to provide accurate earnings information, you should review your earnings history and let us know if there are any errors or omissions. Otherwise, your future Social Security benefits could be lower than you should receive. It’s important to identify and report errors as soon as possible. If too much time passes, it could be hard for you to get older tax documents. Also, some employers may no longer exist or be able to provide past payroll information.

The best way to verify your earnings record is to visit http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount and create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. You should review your earnings carefully every year and confirm them using your own records, such as W-2 forms and tax returns. Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet. When you have a personal my Social Security account, we send you an email once a year, 3 months before your birthday, to remind you to check your earnings and to get future benefit estimates.

If your Social Security earnings record is incorrect and does not match your personal records, you may be able to submit a correction request online using your personal my Social Security at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount. If that feature is available in your personal my Social Security account, you can use the online process to correct missing earnings, inaccurate earnings from a valid employer, or earnings from an employer you did not work for. You’ll need to provide:

Your address if we need to contact you about your request.

Details about your correct earnings and employer.

Evidence or proof of correct earnings, if available.

You can electronically upload your proof (W-2, W-2C, tax return, wage stub, pay slip, etc.) in a JPG or PDF format. After you successfully submit your evidence, you can print or save a receipt.

Earnings corrections cannot be processed online if they are for:

The current or prior year, which may not be recorded yet.

Self-employment.

Railroad Board.

Certain years before 1978.

Also, you cannot submit an earnings correction online if you:

Receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare.

Have applied for Social Security benefits or SSI.

If you cannot correct your earnings online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to request a correction.

Start a conversation today. Ask a family member or friend about their first job and let them know they can find out what they earned that year!

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SOCIAL SECURITY CAN HELP YOU START OR RETURN TO WORK

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and want to start or return to work, we can help.

Ticket to Work (Ticket) is a program that supports career development for SSDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients who want to work and achieve financial independence. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. Learn more about the Ticket program at http://www.ssa.gov/work or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Our blog article Celebrate the ADA and Ticket to Work During Disability Pride Month at blog.ssa.gov/celebrate-the-ada-and-ticket-to-work-during-disability-pride-month, also provides additional information on the Ticket program.

The Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program also helps people with disabilities start or return to work. A PASS allows you to set aside resources and income other than your SSI for a specified period. With a PASS you can pursue a work goal that will reduce or eliminate your need for SSI or SSDI benefits. We can refer you to a vocational rehabilitation counselor who can help you figure out your work goal. You can also set up a plan to cover the costs of vocational services (including testing and business planning).

The PASS must be in writing, and we must approve the plan. You can access the application at http://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-545.html. Or contact your local PASS Cadre or local Social Security office for the Form SSA-545-BK. You can get help writing your plan from Ticket service providers, vocational counselors, relatives, and representatives.

For more information about the PASS program, read Working While Disabled—A Guide to Plan to Achieve Self-Support at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11017.pdf or the Red Book —A Guide to Work Incentives at http://www.ssa.gov/redbook.

A job isn’t just a source of income — it can be a vehicle to independence or a step to fulfilling your dreams. Let our Ticket to Work or PASS programs help you achieve your goals.

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WILL REMARRYING AFFECT MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?

Are you getting remarried? If so, we can help you with Social Security related questions regarding your remarriage.

You may be wondering how your new marriage affects your Social Security benefits now or in the future. Remarrying may affect your benefits if you receive (or expect to receive) any of the following:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments – Your SSI eligibility and payment amount may change (or stop) due to your new spouse’s income and resources.

Surviving spouse or divorced surviving spouse benefits –

If you remarry before age 50 – You won’t be eligible for survivors or disability benefits as a surviving spouse unless your later marriage ends by divorce or annulment.

If you remarry between the ages of 50 and 59 – You may be able to get benefits as a disabled surviving spouse (or disabled surviving divorced spouse) if you were disabled and unable to work when you remarried and your remarriage occurred after age 50. If you remarry before you reach age 60 and that marriage ends, you may be able to get benefits on your previous deceased spouse’s record.

If you remarry after age 60 – You may be eligible for survivors benefits on your deceased spouse’s record or benefits on your new spouse’s record.

Divorced spouse’s benefits – Generally, if you remarry, benefits paid to you on your former spouse’s record stop. You should report your new marriage to us to avoid being overpaid.

Children’s benefits (under age 18 or full-time student ages 18 or 19) – Under certain circumstances, we may be able to make payments to stepchildren of a worker who receives retirement or disability benefits.

To learn more about how your new marriage will affect your Social Security benefits now or in the future, read our blog post Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits at blog.ssa.gov/will-remarrying-affect-my-social-security-benefits.

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THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.