Q & A
I will turn 65 in a few months. Because of my financial situation, I thought I’d be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But my neighbor told me I’d probably be turned down because a friend has offered to support me. Is this true?
Answer: If you have low income and few resources, you may qualify for SSI. However, if your friend helps to support you, it could affect whether or not you will get SSI or the amount you would receive. Any amount of support you receive from your friend or anyone else will be considered as “income” when the Social Security Administration makes a decision about your SSI eligibility and the amount you may qualify to receive. “Support” includes food, shelter, utility bills or cash you receive from someone else. For more information, visitwww.socialsecurity/gov/disabilityssi/ssi.html. Generally, any cash you receive is considered income in the month you receive it, and is counted as a resource if you still have it the following month. There are some exceptions to this rule. If, for example, you receive an “infrequent gift” of cash (for a birthday, for example), you do not need to consider it as income or a resource.
Source: Ohio State Bar Association, 8/24/2015
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