There are many factors that can impact your eligibility and how much Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you can receive. Your living arrangement is one crucial component that can change the amount you’ll get every month.
This blog explains how this factor can influence your SSI benefits and what you can do to ensure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to. Understanding this information can be valuable for those starting the application process and those wondering how to maximize their benefits.
Why is your living arrangement important?
When applying for SSI benefits, your living arrangement plays a unique role in determining the amount of financial support you will receive. The amount varies depending on whether you live in your own place, someone else’s house or an institution.
Specific living arrangements may also lead to a reduction in benefits. For example, the government may reduce the amount if you live in someone else’s house and pay less than your fair share of food or housing costs.
If you are in a nursing home and Medicaid pays for a considerable amount of your care, you may also get less monetary support. Minor children in care facilities for a month also get reduced benefits if Medicaid or private insurance covers half of their healthcare expenses.
Beneficiaries who are out of their homes are also given special consideration. People living in a public shelter for up to six months out of any nine-month period are also eligible to receive financial support through SSI.
How an attorney can help
If you are unsure how your living situation may affect your benefits, consider consulting with an experienced lawyer who can provide personalized legal guidance and support. By doing so, you can increase your chances of securing the financial assistance you need.