Q. My wife and I have an adult son with a disability. He receives SSI and lives in our home and pays us a modest rent from his SSI benefit. We also help him with groceries. We report this to SSI. To date, our “assistance” to him has been deemed a subsidy by SSI, and… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Social Security
What Happens To My Medicare Premium If I Sell My House
Q. I am in my 70’s and receiving Social Security and Medicare. I am considering selling my home and moving into a Senior Living facility. I heard that the sale might affect my Medicare premium and Social Security benefits. Can you shed any light on this? A. I believe so, and you heard correctly if… Read More »
Stimulus Payments Will Not Impair Medi-Cal, SSI, Nor Covered CA Eligibility
Q. My wife and I are both on SSI and Medi-Cal and we just received $1,200 under the federal stimulus program, and hope to receive another round if Congress and the new administration approve more. Will these payments mess up our public benefits, which we depend upon? A. The short answer is “No”. Some background may… Read More »
Social Security Benefits To Increase Modestly in 2021
Q. Has there been any word as to whether there will be a cost-of-living increase in Social Security in 2021? A. Yes. Just recently, the Social Security Administration announced a 1.3 percent rise in benefits in 2021, an increase even smaller than last year’s cost-of-living increase. Cost-of-living increases are tied to the consumer price index,… Read More »
Name a Social Security Representative Payee In Advance of Need
Q. I hear that there is some news from Social Security, in that it will now allow recipients to name a Representative Payee in advance of actual need. Is this important and do you know about it? A. Yes, and it is considered a major change for social security. So, first, let’s address what a… Read More »
Hang Up On Phony Calls from SSA
Q. I hear there is a new scam going around whereby seniors receive phone calls that appear to be from Social Security. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes. There is a spoofing scam going around the entire country whereby seniors receive calls which appear to be coming from the Social Security Administration, but… Read More »
Should I Become Mom’s Representative Payee?
Q. Mom recently moved in with us so we can help care for her. When we notified Social Security of this, they asked if I wished to become mom’s representative payee. Is that something I should do? A. It all depends. In the Social Security system, a representative payee is appointed to receive funds for… Read More »