Ohio Social Security Disability And SSI Legal Blog

What resources do not count toward SSI?

If a disability such as blindness makes it hard to earn a living, Social Security may provide you assistance through its Supplemental Security Income program. To successfully apply for SSI, you must show that you do not have an excess of resources that could disqualify you for coverage.

According to the Social Security website, an individual cannot have more than $2,000 in resources and a couple cannot exceed more than $3,000. Fortunately, not all resources will count against you.

Specific personal property

There are kinds of property that are essential for everyday life. Social Security will not count the home that you currently reside in or the land the home sits on. You should also not worry that the vehicle you use for transportation or your household goods will count for SSI.

Personal effects also do not qualify as resources even if they have value, so Social Security should not deny you SSI on account of items like your wedding ring. Social Security also does not count your burial spaces or your burial funds provided that their value does not exceed $1,500.

Work property

Social Security excludes some forms of property that you use for business or trade purposes. Examples include a farm or a beauty parlor. Equipment you use for work purposes such as tools or safety gear is generally non-countable as well. However, Social Security might consider non-business property that generates income as a qualifying resource.

Specific support assets

Some support accounts and policies are not countable resources. Your life insurance policy should not be a problem, provided its face value does not exceed $1,500. Certain plans such as a Plan to Achieve Self-Support or an Achieving a Better Life Experience account may not count against you either.

Consider every resource and asset you have carefully. If you are not sure, you may need to investigate whether a piece of property could potentially count for SSI.