SSI Blog

If you have debt or expenses, you can request a higher SSI installment without providing documentation

Effective 8/29/24, the Social Security Administration (SSA) made a change in how much Supplemental Security Income (SSI) back pay can be released at one time. For anyone receiving SSI, a fully favorable decision from Disability Adjudication Services (DAS) or the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), is a tremendous relief. By the time SSA’s DAS, called DDS in other states, has rendered a fully favorable decision, claimants have accumulated debt. To relieve their financial burdens, claimants need SSI back pay, which could be a large sum of money, released as soon as possible.

Once you are found medically disabled, the SSA Field Office will conduct a financial interview for any SSI claim. Your household income and resources will be considered. SSA breaks the SSI back pay into 3 installments 6 months apart unless you meet the below requirements and then all of the SSI backpay must be released.https://www.ssa.gov/locator/

1. “You a medical condition which is expected to result in death within 12 months or
2. You are no longer eligible for SSI and are determined likely to remain ineligible for the next 12 months”

Prior to 8/29/24, you could get a higher SSI installment payment by providing documentation of your debts and expenses. For example, if your mortgage or rent was past due, you had to have written documentation detailing how much you owe. Providing documentation resulted in longer delays in processing. Moreover, written documentation could be lost by SSA. Documentation also increases SSA overheard according to NOSSCR. www.nosscr.org

However, with this new update, you just need to allege a debt or expense to get a higher first or second SSI installment payment. SSA considers the following “debts and expenses”: food, clothing, shelter/utilities (including expenses necessary to provide a place to live such as rent, mortgage payments, property insurance, property tax, and utilities such as gas, electric, heating fuel, water, sewer, and garbage); medically necessary services, supplies, equipment determined on a case by case basis, medicine, a car, a phone, and a computer. SSA – POMS: SI 02101.020 – Large Past-Due Supplemental Security Income Payments by Installments – Individual Alive – 08/29/2024
For child SSI cases, the parent has to set up a dedicated account which is a separate bank account opened for a disabled child under 18 who is eligible for large past-due SSI payments. However, because of restrictions, SSI installment payments to dedicated accounts are only increased for debts or expense related to: medical treatment, education or job skills training or if the following are related to your mental or physical impairments: housing modification, medically necessary supplies/equipment, personal needs assistance, therapy, and rehabilitation.
Significantly, SSA will not increase the first SSI installment payment for expenses that are going to be reimbursed by any public assistance program. For example, in Atlanta, homeless clients have received general assistance which is a monthly payment based upon a physician or psychiatrist completing a form stating that he/she is unable to work.

Our social security disability law firm can assist you or your child with filing a SSI or SSDI (DIB) application, request for reconsideration, request for hearing, request for review before the Office of Appellate Operations or US District Court case. Our disability lawyers also file appeals for service connected veterans benefits. Please visit our website at www.kathleenflynnlaw.com/we-care  or call our disability lawyers and staff at 404-479-4431 to learn how you can receive SSI, SSDI, DIB, DAC and veteran’s benefits. SSIapplication SSDIapplicationDIBapplicationSSIbackpayrequestforreconsiderationrequestforhearingrequestforreviewDistrictofficefieldofficeDDSdisabilityadjudicationservicesssa ssiattorney socialsecuritydisabilityattorney socialsecuritydisabilitylawyer SSIinstallments SSIlawyer

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