Putting It All Together: A Case Example
 

 

 

The following example shows how you can earn income and deduct allowable expenses to keep and/or increase your SSI payment.

A

Dennis Hunt has AIDS. He receives Medicaid and his only income is a monthly SSI payment of $564. He was ready to work part-time and was offered a job at a local restaurant and earned $225 per month. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was:
Gross Monthly Earnings

$   225
Minus:
General Income Exclusion
Earned Income Exclusion
Adjusted Earned Income

- $    20
- $    65
= $  140
Divide by 2

Countable Income

140 ÷ 2  = 70

= $   70
Federal Benefit Rate (FBR)
Minus Countable Income

$  564
- $    70
New SSI Payment

= $  494
Plus Gross Monthly Earnings

+ $  225

New Total Monthly Earnings

= $  719

B

After 18 months, Dennis got a raise and worked more hours, so his monthly income increased to $367. He also paid $52 per month for medical expenses that counted as an IRWE. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was:
Gross Monthly Earnings

$   367
Minus:

General Income Exclusion
Earned Income Exclusion
Impairment Related Work Expense

Adjusted Earned Income

- $    20
- $    65

- $    52

= $  230
Divide by 2

Countable Income

230 ÷ 2  = 115

= $   115
Federal Benefit Rate
Minus Countable Income

$  564
- $  115
New SSI Payment

= $  449
Plus Gross Monthly Earnings

+ $  367

New Total Monthly Earnings

= $  816

C

Dennis then decided that he wanted to get a degree in graphic design. With the help of his case manager, Dennis wrote a PASS that described his work goal and his plans to save $70 each month for tuition. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was as follows:
Gross Monthly Earnings

$   367
Minus:

General Income Exclusion
Earned Income Exclusion
Impairment Related Work Expense
PASS

- $    20
- $    65

- $    52
- $    70
Adjusted Earned Income

Divide by 2

Countable Income

= $  160

160 ÷ 2 = 80

= $   80
Federal Benefit Rate
Minus Countable Income

$  564
- $    80
New SSI Payment

 = $  484
Plus Gross Monthly Earnings

 + $  367

New Total Monthly Earnings

 $  851

 

  


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Checklist-Working While on SSI
 

 

If you are working or want to work, understanding your current benefits and SSI work incentives will help you make informed decisions about how work will affect your benefits level. Review the following checklist and talk with your case manager or Social Security representative to answer your questions.

Download the Checklist-Working While on SSI.

 

 
SSA Representative:  ______________________________
Phone Number:  __________________________________
Date last called:  __________________________________

Have you informed your representative about your employment plans?




 Do you understand?
 
Yes

 No
How earnings affect your total monthly benefit?
What income exclusions you can use?
How to maintain Medicaid coverage?
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)?
Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)?
Continuing Eligibility Review?
What happens if you get sick or lose your job?
What options are available to you when SSI ends?
  What questions do you need to have answered?
 
 
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