Can Your Living Arrangements Affect the Outcome of Your Disability?

Posted on January 21st, 2020 By Emma Drozdowski

This month, our disability lawyers wanted to address a common question that we get regarding living situations and the outcome of your disability case. In reality, where you live does, in fact, have an impact on the size of your monthly Social Security disability check. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are two disability programs from which you could be getting money.

For Which Disability Program Did You Apply?

Understanding the difference between programs can help answer some of your questions. Social Security Disability Insurance, also referred to as SSDI for short, is one program. The other program is called Supplemental Security Income, or SSI for short. SSDI is designed to pay benefits to you or certain family members if you’re disabled and if you have worked for a long enough time. You also have to have paid Social Security taxes recently enough. In the case of SSDI, your living arrangements likely won’t have an impact on your SSDI benefits.

SSI, on the other hand, is solely based on financial need and it is typically used for blind, aged or disabled people who currently make little-to-no income. Factors that determine your monthly SSI stipend include your income, assets and resources. So, if you live in a home that you own or rent, your stipend likely won’t be impacted. However, if you are living under someone else’s care or in their home, your monthly benefits may be reduced. The Social Security Administration sees this help from an outside source as another form of income.

For More Help, Contact Us Today

If you have more questions about the size of your disability payment or if you need help building your case, don’t hesitate to reach out to our disability lawyers for a helping hand.