Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Property or assets mean real estate, certain personal belongings, bank accounts, cash, stocksand bonds. To be eligible for SSI, these items cannot total in value over $2,000.As laws and policies change often, make certain you determine if there are additional optionsfor asset accumulation that the Social Security Administration has approved. You can checkwith your local Social Security office.Things that do NOT count:• The home the person owns (if he lives in it) and the land it is on;• Personal and household goods, and life insurance policies, depending on theirvalue;• One car;• Burial plots;• Up to $1500 in burial funds for the person and up to $1500 for a spouse;• If blind or disabled, some things necessary (such as uniforms) if the personplans to work.Rules Relating to Employment: If you are disabled and plan to work, special rules may apply.Be sure to consult with the Social Security administration regarding your plans. Failure to dothis could result in the loss of your benefits.How to Sign Up: Contact your local Social Security Office, or call 1-800-772-1213 for an appointmentwith a Social Security representative who will help you. (Although SupplementalSecurity Income [SSI] is different from Social Security Benefits, it is handled by the same office.)When a person with a disability reaches the age of 18, he needs to be certain to apply for SSI.What to Have with you:• Social Security card or a record of the Social Security number;• Birth certificate or other proof of age;• Information about residence—including mortgage or lease, and landlord’s name;• Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, car registration, burial fundrecords and any other information about income and things owned;• If disabled, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitalsand clinics that have been seen.Payments: After application is made, SSI benefit payments begin the sixth month after SocialSecurity determines the person disabled.Appeals: If a person is denied eligibility for SSI or Social Security benefits, an appeal process isavailable. Instructions for filing this appeal are on the back of the notice of denial received. Ifbenefits are denied and you believe the person is eligible, consult with an advocate, friend, orattorney and seek help in filing an appeal. You may contact your local county bar association fora listing of attorneys who will accept SSI appeals on a contingency basis. To learn more aboutthe appeals process ask any Social Security office for the fact sheet The Appeals Process (PublicationNo. 05-10041). You should also ask for the fact sheet Your Right to Representation(Publication No. 05-10075), as the person has a right to be represented by a qualified person ofyour choice.12Chapter 3, Using Government Benefits