Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are paid to disabled individuals who also have little or no financial resources. Since SSI benefits are paid based on financial need your living arrangement may impact the amount of benefits you are eligible for. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers where you live and who pays for your food and shelter while defining your living arrangement.
For 2013, the maximum monthly SSI benefit amount is $710. The SSA will assess the value of any shelter or food you are being given and make a deduction on based on that. This typically occurs when you are living with another person and not paying any rent or not paying what the SSA considers to be market value for rent. A deduction is also made if you are living in an institution run by a federal, state, or local government or living in a hospital/nursing home and Medicare pays for over one-half of the cost of your care.
If the SSA decides that a deduction to your SSI benefits is necessary based upon your living arrangement you will receive a letter detailing the deduction. If you believe there is an error in their deduction or living arrangement has changed you need to contact your local office right away.
It is important to inform the SSA of any changes; failure to inform the SSA could result in an overpayment if it is later deemed your benefits should have been reduced.
For more information on this topic please view the SSA’s article “Effect of living arrangement on my SSI benefits.”
