SSI asset amount limit is still set to 1989 levels. Asking the US Congress (and Senate) to change that.

[Florida Guy]

Yes they want you to tell them what is in your safe deposit box but they have to accept what you tell them. They have no way to verify. Even the bank does not know

 

[Zebra]

For more information, see the Spotlight , “Getting SSI Benefits While You Try to Sell Excess Resources.”

This is how "the poor" stay poor, or are kept poor, depending on your perspective.

I know this doesn't really contribute to the thread, but it's maddening.

Folks who have never lived this close to the edge, and have never actually applied for government assistance, don't understand the absurdity of what it takes to get benefits, and to keep said benefits.

 

[southwestforests]

Folks who have never lived this close to the edge, and have never actually applied for government assistance, don't understand the absurdity of what it takes to get benefits, and to keep said benefits.

TRUTH.

 

[Nacht_Segler]

This is regarding PA residents who get the Rent Rebate - I had sent in a question to the Governor's office to see if this rent rebate (at its max is $1,000) counts against our $2,000 savings cap. The rebate just went up this year, which we got in the summer (July), and thanks to this stupid cap, I had to do my math and make sure that with that, and July's SSI combined, I wouldn't go over and lose my SSI. This meant that I had to have around $10 in my acct. just to be on the safe side. This is absolute . So once I get an answer, I will post it here.

I get that some gripe about 'throwing money' at problems... well, hell, I can't even throw my own money at my own problems (not that I have any really - but using that saying to make a point) because of this cap preventing me from accruing any substantial savings.

 

[southwestforests]

I get that some gripe about 'throwing money' at problems... well, hell, I can't even throw my own money at my own problems (not that I have any really - but using that saying to make a point) because of this cap preventing me from accruing any substantial savings

That whole thing is a bit twisted, true, some serious fixing of it needs to happen.

 

[Florida Guy]

With a change in administration, changes in policy become more possible. The old bosses are out, the old policies are on the way out too. There is more awareness of me/cfs, the old ideas are forced to change. In the past it was little known and even less understood but the high profile case in uk has brought attention and funding to the problem. Write to your congress person.

 

[Judee]

There are tricks to get around that, simply have a family member or trusted friend keep it for you. Some people keep savings in gold or silver, some keep cash

They can look back 36 months and check if you have been taking out large sums from your accounts so unless you were doing this before that, I think it would be risky. I also think if they catch you that they can ban you from receiving SSI for 36 months going forward. I wouldn't want to chance it, honestly.

I think it's better just to get the law changed.

 

[Judee]

Yes they want you to tell them what is in your safe deposit box but they have to accept what you tell them. They have no way to verify. Even the bank does not know

Not sure it's so safe there either.

 

[Florida Guy]

That’s very unusual. I haven’t heard of a box in a bank being robbed before. The fact remains that they are safer than trying to hide money. And you can buy insurance against the million to one risk of the bank stealing it.

They ask you what’s in it and you tell them something. I agree it’s better to change the law but people do what they gotta do.

 

[Nacht_Segler]

This is regarding PA residents who get the Rent Rebate - I had sent in a question to the Governor's office to see if this rent rebate (at its max is $1,000) counts against our $2,000 savings cap. The rebate just went up this year, which we got in the summer (July), and thanks to this stupid cap, I had to do my math and make sure that with that, and July's SSI combined, I wouldn't go over and lose my SSI. This meant that I had to have around $10 in my acct. just to be on the safe side. This is absolute . So once I get an answer, I will post it here.

I get that some gripe about 'throwing money' at problems... well, hell, I can't even throw my own money at my own problems (not that I have any really - but using that saying to make a point) because of this cap preventing me from accruing any substantial savings.

So I finally got a response...but...it wasn't what I was asking about. I merely got a long winded and convoluted response about what the Rent Rebate is and no response on my 'yes or no' question as to how the Rent Rebate relates to the SSI cap (if it can count against it or not).

*groans*...gotta love the gov...*eyeroll...facepalm...headdesk*.

 

[southwestforests]

*groans*...gotta love the gov...*eyeroll...facepalm...headdesk*.

When Kathy and I were getting ready to marry in 2005 (marriage ended in 2011) she was getting SSI and we contacted SSI to find how my working income would impact her SSI amount, and get the numbers. We knew it would have an impact because SSI documents said so.
We wanted to be wise, be informed, and plan ahead.

Three different calls to SSI, three different SSI employees,
said we had to get married before they could divulge that data.

Governments are by definition inherently evil and a touch sadistic.