Benefits Question

[Jpg61]

I live in Indiana and was recently approved for SSI, I rent the basement in my mother's home for $400.00 a month & pay $70.00 a month for electric. Shouldn't I qualify for the full monthly benefits amount?

 

[Kit Cat]

Did you get less than the full amount and you are trying to figure out why?

 

[Jpg61]

Did you get less than the full amount and you are trying to figure out why?

Yes, I pay 400.00 in rent & 70.00 in utilities, leaves me 50.00 a month.Can't even pay my truck insurance.

 

[Kit Cat]

Yes, I pay 400.00 in rent & 70.00 in utilities, leaves me 50.00 a month.Can't even pay my truck insurance.

Full SSI is $735, slightly higher in some states.

Do you have any other income?

When was your last ssi interview? Has your housing or financial situation changed since the then?

Have you tried asking your SSI caseworker what is causing your check to be so low? You cannot ask the random person who answers the phone, but if you set up an appointment directly with your caseworker or talk on the phone with them, maybe they will be able to tell you.

Does your mom own the house and pay a mortgage or does she rent? There is a formula ssa uses for determining rent.

 

[Jpg61]

No I have no other income, she has a small reverse mortgage with a small payment amount. I agreed to pay 400.00 in rent & 70.00 in utilities with my mom which is a good deal for what I get. I don't understand how they can't count it as rent when it's going to be reported on her taxes as extra income.

 

[Kit Cat]

sounds to me like you are doing everything right.

I suggest giving your caseworker a call and see what they say.

Possibly they made a mistake in your case.

Or possibly there is a reason why your check is being lowered and maybe it is something you can change or address, if you can figure out what it is. please come back and post if you find out more.

how many people total live in the house?

 

[ShyCat]

I suspect that SSA is treating your $400 rent and $70 utilities as being "under Fair Market Value (FMV)". You yourself said it was "a good deal for what (you) get". As I understand it, this difference between what you are paying and the FMV would be inputed income to you and thus reduce your benefit.