THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME RESTORATION ACT Supplemental Security Income benefits are monthly benefits paid to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. SSI differs from Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB), which requires that you’ve worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. However, SSI requires that the person must have very limited income and resources. To get SSI, an individual’s countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 or $3,000 for a couple. For 2020, the maximum SSI benefit for individuals is $783 and $1,175 for a couple.
Imagine a single individual trying to live off $783 a month. It is an abysmal amount, especially when considering that renting a one- bedroom apartment alone can cost $700–$1,000. This also limits the amount a person can put away for savings in case of an emergency. If you wanted to put a little money aside for an unexpected purchase — a new set of tires or medical help — you can only save $2,000. If you save even a dollar over, you won’t be eligible for benefits that month. Fortunately, there is a proposal — the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act — that aims to increase that amount. The proposal would raise the $2,000 and $3,000 caps to $10,000 for individuals
and $20,000 for couples. In our opinion, this proposal is past due — this amount has remained stagnant since 1989.
If you support this, you can reach out to your representative at House.gov.
DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION?
If we can’t answer your question, we would be happy to personally refer you to one of our trusted colleagues. We will even call them to give them a summary of your issue so they are aware and ready to take your call. But it all starts by reaching out to our office. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out at 757-220-4529.
ONLINE VIDEO HEARINGS
In an effort to provide flexible and convenient service options and protect the health and safety of individuals, the Social Security Administration has announced another hearing option — online video hearings using a free platform called Microsoft (MS) Teams. Through online video hearings, claimants and representatives can attend their online video hearing from any private place with a secure internet connection using their camera enabled phone, tablet, or computer. The Social Security Administration hopes to implement online video hearings this fall, focusing on its most critical and oldest cases. Like its telephone hearing option, the online video hearing option is not mandatory. However, Social Security hearing offices will remain closed for the foreseeable future. If you cannot wait for an in-person hearing on your claim, we encourage you to consider a telephone or online video option.
DAD JOKE
Q: Why are piggy banks so wise? A: They’re filled with common cents.
Please visit this website for updates: SSA.gov/appeals/hearing_options.html
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