Often people believe that they can’t file for social security benefits either for SSI or disability because other people in the household already received it. This is a common misconception and the Social Security Administration does not have a simple yes or no for managing households and families with multiple people who receive benefits. Consult Tabak Law to learn more about these details.

It is possible that you can file for Social Security disability while another member of the household receives Social Security income.  Sometimes there are exceptions or different rules that apply depending on the household circumstances. The best way to find out if it’s possible for you to receive benefits while other household members receive benefits is to speak with a local SSDI attorney.

How Many People Live with Others Who Receive Benefits?

It is possible for a person to live with another or many other people who also receive benefits. In fact, if you look only at SSI benefits it is likely that recipients are living with others who also receive SSI.  There is some question however when multiple people in the household are receiving SSDI benefits. Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits is often a one-off situation that people experience once or twice in their life. So, to have multiple people receiving disability benefits living together, can raise some red flags.

Individuals must meet three conditions to qualify for SSDI or SSI. They must be over 65 years old, disabled, or have resources below the legislated threshold. For SSDI only, people can often access benefits as long as they’re unable to work for at least 12 months. However, there are many conditions that can keep people out of work for 12 months that don’t qualify for SSDI. It is a very case-by-case situation and often requires legal help to take those claims to appeals for benefits.

Can Multiple Household Members Have SSDI?

Multiple family members or multiple people living together who are disabled can qualify for SSDI individually. Each person, independently, can access benefits through the social security system as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements and have the work credits necessary to receive SSDI.

In fact, the Social Security Administration estimates that about one in five people receiving Social Security benefits lives with others who also receive benefits. This is more common among recipients of social security income rather than disability. But the only time that multiple household members receiving benefits could affect a claim, or the benefits received, is marriage.

SSI rules acknowledge the spousal and parent-child relationships when assessing benefits and eligibility. It guarantees married couples to receive 150% of the federal benefit rate. That benefit rate in 2020 is $1,175 for couples. There is no outright instruction on what the benefit rate could or should be in a parent-child relationship.

Applicants often are more concerned with earned income exclusion than the possibility of not receiving benefits because another household member already does. It might concern that being married or having a child on disability could affect your claim. It’s especially irritating when you only need disability support to get by until you can return to work.

This is most frequently the situation when you have elderly people or disabled children in the household. When a working adult becomes injured, they may already be in a household that has a disabled child, a disabled adult child, or an elderly person receiving SSI. These situations always come with a multitude of questions and wondering whether living with other people who receive benefits will affect your claim is probably not the only question you have. It is possible for your household members to impact your claim. However, it is uncommon.

Have Your SSDI and SSI Questions Answered at Tabak Law

At Tabak Law, we have a team of SSDI and SSI attorneys right here in Milwaukee. Wisconsin has fairly high denial rates, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t apply or shouldn’t try to recover benefits. Instead, sit down with an SSDI attorney from Tabak law to discuss your options and the situation in your household that might impact your ability to receive benefits.

Our attorney will walk you through the application process, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to expect if you have to go to an appeal.  We answer all the most common questions about other household members and receive multiple types of benefits.  You can get started today by making an appointment in our Milwaukee office to discuss Social Security disability with a qualified and experienced SSI attorney.

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