Noteboom The Law Firm

SSI Reductions Impact Disabled Recipient

One of the primary differences between Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income is that the latter program is needs-based. This distinction means that any increase in income, temporary or not, can reduce the funds that you will receive from the SSA.

A recent case involving a disabled 58-year-old man from Arkansas illustrates the impact of this rule. According to The Dallas Morning News, John Dodds won $1,000 through a scratch-off lottery ticket in early December, 2009. Dodds, typically receives $674 per month from SSI, which he uses to pay for rent, utilities, and other living expenses.

Dodds took the appropriate steps after his winnings and filed an unearned income statement to declare the money to the Social Security Administration. On the day after Christmas, Dodds received a letter from the SSA informing him that his annual SSI payments for 2010 would be reduced by $980.

The SSA reduced Dodds' payments by the amount of the winnings, minus $20, which was permitted under an exclusion afforded by federal law. If you have seen a reduction to your SSI payments for any reason, you should contact a disability lawyer that has experience in dealing with Social Security benefits cases.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.