Q: If I go homeless will I lose my social security benefits?
Society right now isn't the best. I've applied for low income apartments but all 6 months to a 1 year wait. I'm currently living with a relative that has no job. I'm not for sure how much longer I can stay with them or if will be homeless in coming month or two. Applied for SSI but if have no place to live is question will I have any security.
A:
If you are facing homelessness and have filed for SSI, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 right away to let them know of your dire financial need. Social Security can identify your SSI case as a critical case and expedite processing and adjudication of your case.
According to Social Security policy, a dire need situation exists when the person who filed a claim is:
* without food and is unable to obtain it.
* unable to obtain medicine or medical care, or access to necessary medical care is restricted due to lack of resources.
* unable to have shelter (e.g., without utilities such that his or her home is uninhabitable, homelessness, expiration of a shelter stay, or imminent eviction or foreclosure with no means to remedy the situation or obtain shelter).
In addition to requesting that Social Security identify your SSI case as critical for expedited processing, you must keep Social Security informed of where to contact you when they have questions about your SSI case as they process it. You will need to have a contact phone number and mailing address for the notices and other letters Social Security will send to you, but it can be an in care of address. You can use the phone number and address of a family member, friend, disability lawyer or representative, or homeless shelter with their permission.
You can check the status of your SSI application online using a my Social Security account. Libraries often have computers you can use to access your my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
Contact legal aid in your area for help with your SSI case and obtaining public assistance. You can also contact the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program in your area. SOAR is a national program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and designed to increase access to Social Security disability benefit programs for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. For more information, visit SOAR’s website at https://soarworks.prainc.com/ .
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