October 28 – SSI at Age 65
Question: I’m working with a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary who is turning 65 in about 6 months. Will the beneficiary’s SSI status change when he turns 65 years of age?
Answer: When a beneficiary who has been eligible for SSI based on disability or blindness turns 65, the beneficiary will meet the criteria for more than one SSI category (e.g., aged and disabled, blind and disabled). Social Security can only list the person as being SSI eligible under one category at any given time. The SSI beneficiary will retain eligibility based on his or her disability or blindness category when he or she turns 65, but the beneficiary could ask Social Security to change his or her category of eligibility to “aged”, if the person feels that would be more advantageous.
There are pros and cons for each category. A person eligible for SSI based on age is not subject to medical CDRs, but he or she cannot use Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) or Blind Work Expenses (BWEs). As you know, a person eligible for SSI based on disability or blindness is subject to medical CDRs, and he or she can use IRWEs or BWEs. One of the most important differences, as it relates to work, is that a person eligible for SSI based on age cannot use 1619b.
If the beneficiary is planning to work, it could be to his benefit to maintain the disability or blindness status so he continues to have access to all the work incentives.
Would you like to find out more about WIPA and your benefits? Contact your statewide WIPA Program-Project 20/20 if you have questions like our Daily Tips or want to learn more about working while receiving social security disability benefits. Call our North Augusta office at 803-279-9611 or the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842. You can also complete a Contact Us or Self-referral Form.