 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
Can You Be Denied Social Security Disability If You Have Money In A Savings Account?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits Generally, there is confusion about the non-medical eligibility requirements of Social Security disability or SSI (Supplemental Security Income disability). Both disability programs are administered by Social Security but they have different non-disability eligibility requirements. Social Security disability does not have income or resource eligibility requirements, because it is based upon an insured status that is earned through your work activity. It is not a need based disability program, which means you cannot be denied Social Security disability because you have resources such as savings accounts, 401K accounts, vehicles, homes, land, inheritances, cash, etc. Nor can you be denied because you have pensions, workman’s compensation benefits, long-term disability benefits, or any other kind of income. Frankly, Social Security does not care what you have as long as you are insured for Social Security disability. However, if you are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, you are subject to strict income and resource limits. SSI is a need based disability program for individuals who A) have not ever worked (including children), B) have not worked enough to be insured for Social Security disability, or C) have not work in such a long time they are no longer insured for Social Security disability. Currently, single individuals are allowed $2000.00 in resources while couples are allowed $3000.00. Social Security excludes one vehicle (the one that is highest valued) and your house along with the land it sits on from the resource limit. If you own land at another location it will be counted toward the resource limit. If you own more than one vehicle, the value of your other vehicles will be counted toward the resource limits. The same is true for bank accounts (i.e. savings or checking) and all of the other resources listed above. Basically, Social Security considers anything that can be easily converted into cash to be a resource. Since any of the above mentioned resources count toward a $2000.00 resource limit if you are single or a $3000.00 resource limit if you are married, it is easy to see how you could be denied for SSI disability if you have money in a savings account. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Topics and Questions SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |