Value of food and shelter SSI went down

[stacygeorgia]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? california

I have not idea but I just got a notice that my son's SSI (he is disabled) just went down $224.00. Its says for "value of food and shelter" he did just turn 18 a couple months ago but his SSi went up a little being in California. Does anyone know what that means? I do have a sneeky ex husband who may be hiding money in a bank account with my sons SSI number but im not sure. It said on the SSI notice "Total income we count" and then "Value of food and shelter" $224.00.

[BL]

[url=http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11125.html]Supplemental Security Income (SSI) In California[/url]

Look at the chart .

What amount was it ?

What amount is it now ?

Are you sure that that amount isn't what is " allowable " ?

Is the child still in school ?

Also , if you wish to appeal it , you should have receive in the notice your options for appeal .

[stacygeorgia]

Well, he did turn 18 in september and now I have googled some things and I think becasue I never filled out anything that he pays for rent or food that they are taking 1/3 off. I am thinking I just need to go to the SSi office and fill out a form that he is contributing to the "Household" and hopefully he will get the full amount back. Also, YES, he is still in high school, so you would think that they would not of done this until he was out but I guess that was up to me. Any advice would be appreciated.

[BL]

Yes , I just searched and it's called " in kind support ".

[url]http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/538201.pdf[/url]

Is you child able to prepare his own meals ?

If so ,yes tell them you are charging rent and your child buys and prepares his own meals .

[stacygeorgia]

Yes, I found that too. I wondering if they just take my word for it that he can buy his own food and that he pays some rent? Not sure if there is a certain form or not......

[BL]

They way I understand it , is that if the SSI recipient " Tells " SSA that he/she buys and prepares their own meals ,SSA has to pay the full amount .

Although I see CA. has the " In-Kind " .

I would think If you were to both go directly to SSA local Office with the award letter , and you both state that your child pays rent ( you say a fair amount - like 300 or 350 ) and the child buys and prepares their own meal ,that SSA will records your statements , possible have you sign the statements , or they may just enter the info. and change the amount .

Word to the wise " be careful what you say to SSA " .

Follow the advise to the T.

[Onderzoek]

SSI puts a dollar value on food and/or shelter provided by others. When your son was under 18, there could have been in-kind income provided to the household, but if the parents paid for the food and shelter, then there is no in kind income to the child. At 18, the adult SSI recipient does have to show that they themselves are paying the pro-rata share of specific food and shelter expenses; food, mortgage/rent, prop tax/insurance, heating fuel, gas, electricity, water, sewer, garbage. If the SSI recipient pays his pro-rata share of those expenses (using the total expenses divided by the number of household members), then there is no in kind income. The SSA office has a form for the householder (you) to complete providing these numbers.

[stacygeorgia]

THanks for all your advice, but you would think that they would wait until he is out of high school. He just started his senior year**************..

[Onderzoek]

For SSI, 18 year olds are adults. They can enter into contracts. They can move out of their parents' homes and be on their own. They can decide that they don't want SSI. They are paid a different state supplement amount in California. Different medical criteria are applied to 18 year olds than to 17 year olds.

[stacygeorgia]

Onderzoek

thanks for the info. So you think basically if I go down to the SSI office and take my son and just tell him that He/I use about 350-400 dollars a month for rent/food etc, then they can adjust the SSI back to full amount. Yes, I did see that the state part went up a little. Also, regarding my son, he is slightly mentally retarted/epilpesy. I know legally my son is 18 but he is not EVEN close at any point of living on his own, and his drs. will vouch for that. Does SSI office just take my word for that? Since I have had to use part of his SSI over the years for rent/food for him and I really nothing has changed. ANy advice would be great.

[Onderzoek]

You report his contribution, your total expenses for the previously mentioned bills (average per month), and the number of people in your home. SSA will then determine if he is paying his pro-rata share.

There should be a medical continuing disability review being done right now since he turned 18 to see if he meets the adult criteria. If that hasn't started, it should. Forms need to be completed. Generally, an in person interview with the 18 year old needs to be done. Also, adults generally are paid directly unless they have a mental impairment that would make it a bad idea. There are many mentally retarded adults on SSI who have representative payees.

It may be new for you, but it is business as usual for SSA.

[stacygeorgia]

Well, that is 3 adults (including him) and we pay 1500 rent, plus food utilities, etc. On average I/my son use about 400 of his SSI for rent for him/I. Does that should good to report, well that is the truth anyways************** I would just like to make sure he gets his FULL ssi back.