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  1. #1

    Default Protecting SSI And Medicaid Benefits

    I am on ssi and medicaid, I also have a small benefit from SSDI and also Medicare. I just had to sell my home due to some tragic circumstances. I know I will probably lose my benefits for this mo0nth (and perhaps more) but I needto find a new place to live- if I bought a house with the money I got from the sale of the other (and it would be my primary residence) would I be allowed to keep my benefits? I am not trying to defraud the government, actually I am not very concerned with SSI but I do have serious medical problems and want to protect my medicaid.
    Thank you for any advice.

    Barbara NY


    P.S. I just sold the house a couple of days ago.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Behind a Desk
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    98,846

    Default Re: Protecting SSI And Medicaid Benefits

    I'm assuming for now that you're moving within your state. If you're moving to another state, be careful not to use your Medicaid benefits in your old state during the same month you're applying for benefits in the new state, or you will be ineligible to use Medicaid benefits in your new state during that month. (e.g, if you used Medicaid benefits in your old state yesterday, June 5, and you request a transfer of benefits today, June 6, your benefits in the new state won't kick in until July.)

    You should check with the offices providing your care to be clear on your obligations, particularly in relation to updating your address and financial information. The biggest issues is "what happened to the money from your house". If you invest all of it in the new home, you shouldn't be affected. If you invest only some of the money, you need to account for where the rest went - and that money, or the manner in which it was spent, could affect your eligibility for means-tested benefits.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Protecting SSI And Medicaid Benefits

    Quote Quoting Barbara Beardsley
    View Post
    I am on ssi and medicaid, I also have a small benefit from SSDI and also Medicare. I just had to sell my home due to some tragic circumstances. I know I will probably lose my benefits for this mo0nth (and perhaps more) but I needto find a new place to live- if I bought a house with the money I got from the sale of the other (and it would be my primary residence) would I be allowed to keep my benefits? I am not trying to defraud the government, actually I am not very concerned with SSI but I do have serious medical problems and want to protect my medicaid.
    Thank you for any advice.

    Barbara NY


    P.S. I just sold the house a couple of days ago.
    I hope you have all your documents pertaining to your SSI and just maybe you can obtain help from your Congressman or Senate its worth a try.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Protecting SSI And Medicaid Benefits

    Thank you for your response. Yes, I am moving within the state. Unfortunately, the house I want to buy is not as much as the house I sold. However, it does need work, (windows, electric, etc.) Would these repairs be an acceptable expense to ssi/medicaid? I also have some significant credit card debt, and some loans from friends that need to be paid. I can prove all these, but am wondering again if this is "acceptable" debt, in the eyes of ssi/medicaid? I was thinking of getting an attorney to help me with this, but one I spoke with doesn't understand that ssi and medicaid are needs based and not the same as regular social security!
    I also thought of giving up the ssi/medicaid and just keeping the ssdi (which is only 194$ month as opposed to ssi which is 553$ month) and also medicare. I am only 55 but ssi made me apply for these programs in order to remain eligible for ssi/medicaid. So now I'm wondering if I will lose those benefits too?
    I have a permanent disability and can't work anymore, so if they take everything away the money from the house I sold will have to last me the rest of my life! Plus, I still have to pay my debts with that money and then medicare premiums, and other things I am not eligible for because I am not "poor" enough anymore.
    Sorry. Didn't mean to start a pity party here. I'm just really scared.
    I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

    Barbara

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    PA (work in NJ)
    Posts
    1

    Default Re: Protecting SSI And Medicaid Benefits

    Find out if NY has a "spend-down" option in order to keep medicaid. In PA and NJ you can spend-down excessive money on certain approved things.
    Ask if necessary house repairs would count. They approve strange things like cemetery plots, why not necessary home repairs? (Unless it's a jacuzzi or something like that)

    I had a lady in Philly a few years back who was allowed to have her roof repaired or replaced (I forget) with her small windfall of money, and she could keep her Medical Assistance.

    Yes, I recommend paying off debts. Double check with your local SSA and/or welfare office, but paying debts is usually recommended.

    No, the money you get from the house won't have to last the rest of your life. It will need to last until you: A. can work again, or B. get below the state-determined threshhold (here is is $2000 last I checked). Then you can re-apply for Medicaid and SSI. You won't have to go thru all the proving you are disabled again, just the financial piece.

    Good luck!

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