Waterford, WI asked in Public Benefits for Tennessee

Q: Will moving to TN and losing housing affect my SSI and SSDI benefits?

I currently receive both SSI and SSDI benefits in Illinois. If I permanently move to Tennessee, would losing my housing or not having a secure residency affect my ability to continue receiving these benefits?

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: If you move from Illinois to Tennessee, your SSI and SSDI benefits should not be directly affected by the move itself. Both SSI and SSDI are federal programs, so the benefits you receive are based on your disability status and income level, not on the state where you live. However, SSI is a needs-based program, which means that changes in your living situation, such as losing housing or not having a stable residence, could impact your eligibility.

For SSI, if your housing situation becomes unstable, it could affect the amount of your benefit, since the program considers your living arrangements when determining your eligibility and payment amount. If you lose your housing and have no address, it could also affect your ability to receive mail or continue with required check-ins for SSI.

On the other hand, SSDI is based on your work history and disability status, so losing housing or moving to a new state wouldn't directly affect your SSDI benefits. It’s a good idea to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to inform them of your move to Tennessee and to ensure that your address is up to date for both SSI and SSDI purposes. If you’re concerned about housing instability, you might want to explore local resources in Tennessee that could assist with maintaining your benefits.

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