How Money in the Bank or Other Assets May Affect Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits (2024)

How Money in the Bank or Other Assets May Affect Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits (1)Like many legal situations whether owning assets will affect your eligibility for disability benefits is: “it depends”. In this case how owning assets affects qualification for disability benefits depends on which disability program you may be eligible for. There are two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance which is known as SSDI and Supplemental Security Income—commonly referred to as SSI.

SSDI pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are disabled and you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes recently enough. SSI, on the other hand, is based on financial need. The Social Security Administration says, “It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.”

Many clients think that assets will affect their SSDI, when in truth, almost no assets affect SSDI.Qualifying for SSDI is based on your inability to work and your benefits payment is based onyour lifetime average earnings before you became disabled. SSDI payments are not affected by having a house, a car, money in the bank, or owning other possessions.

On the other hand, many SSI clients are surprised to learn that assets do affect their benefits. Social Security will take into consideration the amount of your assets, because it is a needs-based program. To be eligible for SSI, your assets must be less than $2,000 for an individual and less than $3,000 for a married couple. However, not all assets count towards the resource limits. The Social Security Administration lists 44 resource exclusions. The major exclusions are:

  • Your home
  • One automobile
  • Household goods (furniture, etc.)
  • Personal effects (jewelry, art work, etc.) as long as the SSI claimant is actually using the items.
  • Up to $100,000 in an ABLE account
  • Assets in a special needs trust

In addition to asset limitations, there are earned income and unearned income limits that you may not exceed. If you exceed the asset or income limits, Social Security may reduce or even potentially terminate your benefits.

The requirements for SSDI and SSI are complicated and Social Security has an application with many questions to determine your eligibility. If you are considering applying for Social Security disability benefits or if you applied and were turned down for benefits it is only natural that you will have many questions. Let the experienced disability attorneys at Cuddigan Law help you navigate the complicated and oftentimes confusing path to winning Social Security disability benefits. Call or email us today for a free evaluation of your case.

How Money in the Bank or Other Assets May Affect Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits (2024)

FAQs

How Money in the Bank or Other Assets May Affect Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits? ›

Among “countable resources,” which includes money in a savings account, an individual can have no more than $2,000. Couples can have no more than $3,000. If your savings account holds less than these limits but surpasses these limits when combined with other countable resources, you may be ineligible for SSI.

How much money can you have in the bank and still get social security disability? ›

Money In The Bank And SSDI

The monthly limit is $1,350 in 2022 for non-blind individuals and $2,260 for individuals qualifying for benefits as statutorily blind, so it is a good idea to keep records of the source of deposits that you make into your bank account.

How many bank accounts can you have on disability? ›

There is no limit to the number of bank accounts you can have while receiving SSI benefits. However, it is important to keep in mind that SSI benefits are based on financial need, and having a second bank account could affect your eligibility or the amount of benefits you receive.

Can I have a savings account while on social security disability? ›

If someone is applying for disability benefits, they may be relieved to learn that, yes, you can have a savings account while on Social Security disability.

What happens if you have more than $2000 in the bank on SSI? ›

Current beneficiaries who exceed the limits are suspended and then terminated from program participation if their savings remain above the limits, and they must repay any benefits paid while they are over the limit. SSI beneficiaries are limited to only $2,000 in assets of any kind.

Does disability look at your bank account? ›

In the case of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the SSA does not physically check bank accounts for asset limits. However, you may lose benefits if you have an increase in income or assets that is discovered during a review process.

How much can I have in the bank before it affects my benefits? ›

If you and/or your partner have £16,000 or more in savings, you won't be entitled to Universal Credit. If you and/or your partner have any savings or capital of between £6,000 and £16,000, the first £6,000 is ignored. The rest is treated as if it gives you a monthly income of £4.35 for each £250, or part of £250.

What is the $3000 rule? ›

Rule. The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000.

What is the 5 year rule for social security disability? ›

It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

How to avoid being cut off SSI benefits when you get a sum of money? ›

Utilizing a “Spend Down” to Maintain SSI Benefits

If you're on SSI and recently received a large sum, you can utilize a “spend-down” to ensure that you remain with SSI's resource minimums. Per the SSA, a “spend-down” involves spending the cash that you've received until you're below the resource maximum.

What disqualifies you from Social Security? ›

Some government and railroad employees are not eligible for Social Security. American expatriates retiring in certain countries—and some retired immigrants to the U.S.—can't collect Social Security benefits. Divorced spouses married for fewer than 10 years cannot claim benefits based on the earnings of their ex-spouse.

How much money can you have in savings and still get Social Security? ›

WHY ARE RESOURCES IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM? Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program. To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. We call this the resource limit.

What assets are not counted for SSI? ›

Generally, things that don't count toward your resource limit include: Your home and the land it's on, as long as you live there. 1 vehicle per household. Most personal belongings and household goods.

How much money am I allowed to have in my bank account on Social Security? ›

Social Security will take into consideration the amount of your assets, because it is a needs-based program. To be eligible for SSI, your assets must be less than $2,000 for an individual and less than $3,000 for a married couple.

What income is too high for SSI? ›

Once your account exceeds $100,000 your SSI would be suspended and your eligibility for California state and local means-tested programs could be at risk.

Does Social Security count as income? ›

You must pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you file a: Federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. Joint return, and you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000.

How much money can I make without affecting my Social Security in 2024? ›

How We Deduct Earnings From Benefits. In 2024, if you're under full retirement age, the annual earnings limit is $22,320. If you will reach full retirement age in 2024, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $59,520.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security disability? ›

It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Can I collect Social Security if I have money in the bank? ›

To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. We call this the resource limit. Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit.

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