Q: I'm currently on SSI and medicaid ( for about 8 months now) due to an accident and will be receiving a settlement check
the amount is about 19,000.00 and I've been told I will lose my benefits even if I utilize the spend down. I currently have no place to live and would like to buy a car and rent an apartment. Will I be able to get my benefits back if I do this? I live in Fl. I have ongoing health issues and take daily medications which I cannot stop. I've called SS and they gave me wrong information concerning an ABLE account which does not pertain to me since my disability didn't happen before age 26. Help!
A:
You may lose your SSI benefits for a time until you have spent down to the resource limit of $2,000 for unmarried individuals .
To minimize the loss of SSI, purchase goods and services in the same calendar month in which the lump sum is received. See SSA's Program Operations Manual System (POMS) at SI 01110.600.
Be careful of how you spend the amount because some purchases will still be counted as resources. Purchase exempt resources that will not count toward the resource limit. For example, a home and the land it is on that is your primary residence and one vehicle you use for travel. Make sure your name is on the deed and title. You can also spend to buy homeowners and car insurance. You can pay off any of your own outstanding debts. You could also pre-pay for funeral and burial expenses. Make sure to keep receipts of all purchases. For more information on exempt resources, see POMS SI 01110.210 and https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-resources.htm.
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