When You are Applying for Social Security Disability Can You Own Property?
The answer to this question depends upon which disability program you are applying for. Social Security manages two disability programs with their own rules of eligibility.
Most individuals who apply for Social Security disability will be evaluated for both Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility.
Social Security disability is based solely upon insured status that is earned by an individual’s work activity. Yearly work earnings provide quarters of coverage towards insured status. Each year an individual can potentially earn four quarters of coverage. If an individual has worked enough to be insured for their age (the number of quarters it takes to be insured depend upon an individual’s age), they may receive a disability benefit if they are found to be medically disabled.
The second disability program administered by Social Security is SSI. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program that is designed to help individuals who have not worked, not worked much, or have not worked recently. In fact, SSI disability benefits can be won if an individual is found medically disabled under the guidelines of the Social Security program and if the individual meets income and resource limits. Each year Social Security establishes income and resource limits for this disability program.
Owning property does not prohibit an individual from applying and winning Social Security disability benefits, because Social Security disability has no resource limits. Remember Social Security disability is based upon an individual’s insured status, which was earned through their prior work activity. Consequently, you can own as much property as you like while applying for and receiving Social Security disability.
Conversely, if you are applying for Supplemental Security Income property ownership may prevent you from receiving a disability benefit even if you are found medically disabled by Social Security. The only property excluded from the SSI resource limit is the land that you live on and your most valuable vehicle. All other property is evaluated in order to determine if an individual is eligible to receive SSI benefits. Resources that could be considered are: additional vehicles, boats, trailers, land, retirement plans, stocks, bonds, inheritances, jewelry, etc.
You can apply for both disability programs simultaneously. However, you will most likely be denied when you complete your initial disability interview if your property is over the resource limit. Even if your SSI disability claim is sent to disability and approved, you could still receive a denial for resources at an end line SSI interview. All SSI disability claims are sent back to your local Social Security office for an end line review to determine if you still meet the income and resource limits of this need based program.
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Social Security Disability Secrets
Social Security Disability Benefit Questions
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For social security disability, can work from different quarters be combined?
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How can I get SSI?
Who is eligible for SSI disability benefits?
How is SSI different from social security disability or SSD?
How to apply for SSI
Return to:
Social Security Disability Secrets
Social Security Disability Benefit Questions
Most individuals who apply for Social Security disability will be evaluated for both Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility.
Social Security disability is based solely upon insured status that is earned by an individual’s work activity. Yearly work earnings provide quarters of coverage towards insured status. Each year an individual can potentially earn four quarters of coverage. If an individual has worked enough to be insured for their age (the number of quarters it takes to be insured depend upon an individual’s age), they may receive a disability benefit if they are found to be medically disabled.
The second disability program administered by Social Security is SSI. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program that is designed to help individuals who have not worked, not worked much, or have not worked recently. In fact, SSI disability benefits can be won if an individual is found medically disabled under the guidelines of the Social Security program and if the individual meets income and resource limits. Each year Social Security establishes income and resource limits for this disability program.
Owning property does not prohibit an individual from applying and winning Social Security disability benefits, because Social Security disability has no resource limits. Remember Social Security disability is based upon an individual’s insured status, which was earned through their prior work activity. Consequently, you can own as much property as you like while applying for and receiving Social Security disability.
Conversely, if you are applying for Supplemental Security Income property ownership may prevent you from receiving a disability benefit even if you are found medically disabled by Social Security. The only property excluded from the SSI resource limit is the land that you live on and your most valuable vehicle. All other property is evaluated in order to determine if an individual is eligible to receive SSI benefits. Resources that could be considered are: additional vehicles, boats, trailers, land, retirement plans, stocks, bonds, inheritances, jewelry, etc.
You can apply for both disability programs simultaneously. However, you will most likely be denied when you complete your initial disability interview if your property is over the resource limit. Even if your SSI disability claim is sent to disability and approved, you could still receive a denial for resources at an end line SSI interview. All SSI disability claims are sent back to your local Social Security office for an end line review to determine if you still meet the income and resource limits of this need based program.
Return to:
Other Posts
For social security disability, can work from different quarters be combined?
Can you get a second Social Security Disability Hearing if a judge denies you?
How can I get SSI?
Who is eligible for SSI disability benefits?
How is SSI different from social security disability or SSD?
How to apply for SSI
Labels: social security disability and property
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