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The OP's point seemed clear to me that it was directed to the poorer folks.
With regard to the above, maybe that person getting just $150 mo. SS is under 65. Took their SS early. Because
the Federal Minimum anyone 65+ can get is over $700 per mo.. It's $875 in California but they are
dis-allowed from signing up for food stamps
Social Security retirement benefits are exactly the same in every state of the union. You need to specify what you are talking about. Perhaps you are talking about SSDI, which if I understand correctly is some sort of welfare program. People who receive SSDI are people who have a low total income, Some one with half-way decent total income could well be receiving $150 a month Social Security.
Social Security is not the only source of income in the United States.
Social Security retirement benefits are exactly the same in every state of the union. You need to specify what you are talking about. Perhaps you are talking about SSDI, which if I understand correctly is some sort of welfare program. People who receive SSDI are people who have a low total income, Some one with half-way decent total income could well be receiving $150 a month Social Security.
Social Security is not the only source of income in the United States.
SSDI is disability, and you must be qualified for it. It's not necessarily "low income". A person gets real close to the same amount monthly they'd get at their FULL SS retirement age. Also, after being on it for 24 months, they automatically place you on Medicare
SSI is "welfare", and you MUST be age 65, and under severe low or no income (like no more than $3k if married or $2k if single in the bank) before you can get it. You can get Medicaid for insurance, and must apply for any other programs (such as SNAP (food stamps) etc.
Social Security retirement benefits are exactly the same in every state of the union. You need to specify what you are talking about. Perhaps you are talking about SSDI, which if I understand correctly is some sort of welfare program. People who receive SSDI are people who have a low total income, Some one with half-way decent total income could well be receiving $150 a month Social Security.
Social Security is not the only source of income in the United States.
Sorry I was referring to SSI. SSDI is work related. You've MUST paid into the system a certain amount of credits within the last 10 yrs of working life to be eligible. As stated above, it is welfare
My belief is... that poster who said this person who was getting such a low amount of SS per mo...IS EITHER-
1. took her SS early, and hasn't applied for SSI yet. Maybe she's still under age 65
2. Or is 65 or older but hasn't applied for SSI
Because again, the minimum payment a Senior age 65+ would get is at least $775 per mo utilizing SSI.
UNLESS....possibly...they have a disqualification process for those who applied for their earned SS before FRA. I'd check on that but need to make a few appointments now.
Sorry I was referring to SSI. SSDI is work related. You've MUST paid into the system a certain amount of credits within the last 10 yrs of working life to be eligible. As stated above, it is welfare
My belief is... that poster who said this person who was getting such a low amount of SS per mo...IS EITHER-
1. took her SS early, and hasn't applied for SSI yet. Maybe she's still under age 65
2. Or is 65 or older but hasn't applied for SSI
Because again, the minimum payment a Senior age 65+ would get is at least $775 per mo utilizing SSI.
UNLESS....possibly...they have a disqualification process for those who applied for their earned SS before FRA. I'd check on that but need to make a few appointments now.
.
Gosh, I don't know how to make myself clear to you. There is a third possibility, namely that the person doesn't qualify for SSI, because they have too much income.
Let's posit the following:
1. Age 72
2. Social Security retirement benefit $160 a month gross (Medicare Part B deducted from that).
3. Pension income $4,800 a month gross.
It would be a complete travesty for such a person to receive SSI, would it not? For what it's worth, that poster is me, and I believe I am the one referred to by someone else upthread. The point of that other poster who referred to me was the range of possible Social Secuirty monthly amounts. And of course you are bringing additional information about an income floor which is maintained by SSI payments. If I had no pension income (or rental income or similar), then my $160 SS would be augmented by SSI to the levels you indicated. (At least I presume you are correct about those levels because I know nothing about them).
So I appreciate your infomation about an income floor for Social Security recipients, and I trust that it is now clear how it is that we were talking past each other.
SSDI is disability, and you must be qualified for it. It's not necessarily "low income". A person gets real close to the same amount monthly they'd get at their FULL SS retirement age. Also, after being on it for 24 months, they automatically place you on Medicare
SSI is "welfare", and you MUST be age 65, and under severe low or no income (like no more than $3k if married or $2k if single in the bank) before you can get it. You can get Medicaid for insurance, and must apply for any other programs (such as SNAP (food stamps) etc.
Sorry I had the initials backwards in my mind, and many thanks for the clairification. It ought to be easy for me to remember going forward, as the "D" stands for disability. And the SSI is supplemental security income or something like that. Much appreciated.
Gosh, I don't know how to make myself clear to you. There is a third possibility, namely that the person doesn't qualify for SSI, because they have too much income.
Let's posit the following:
1. Age 72
2. Social Security retirement benefit $160 a month gross (Medicare Part B deducted from that).
3. Pension income $4,800 a month gross.
It would be a complete travesty for such a person to receive SSI, would it not? For what it's worth, that poster is me, and I believe I am the one referred to by someone else upthread. The point of that other poster who referred to me was the range of possible Social Secuirty monthly amounts. And of course you are bringing additional information about an income floor which is maintained by SSI payments. If I had no pension income (or rental income or similar), then my $160 SS would be augmented by SSI to the levels you indicated. (At least I presume you are correct about those levels because I know nothing about them).
So I appreciate your infomation about an income floor for Social Security recipients, and I trust that it is now clear how it is that we were talking past each other.
I have to wonder what you now have for health care? Employer provided? Or just doing without health insurance? Because for most people the $134 for the Medicare Part B premium represents the best bargain on the planet and is quite a savings over their previous arrangements.
I realize that doesn't help you on your tight budget to know that the $134 is a tremendous bargain, but I am curious about your present situation so that the overall context of your post will make sense to me.
I had state coverage up to when the state decided not to accept federal aide for medicade and I switched to my ex/deceased husbands social security. It wasn't a lot more but it sure helped. But I fortunately didn't need medical care, EXCEPT for my supplies which were costly (at least for me). Family helped out with no other option. Bought outside contracted medical options you pay a lot less, but they don't take insurence. And I need and use theraputic vitamins and suppliments.
I would like to not have to depend on family. And I do have increasing problems and keep needing more. And if I'll be enrolled anyway then I will expect coverage from them. But if they take this 134 out of MY budget, its going to be a big problem. I also spend about 50 to 60 dollars on non payable items I need for the appliances to stay on which normally aren't needed, but it is the only way it stays, at least for a day or so. Generally these are regarded as unnecessary, but the stuff supposed to stick to my skin does so only temperarily, and eventually leads to very sore skin, and use up more supplies than normal. The only 'fix' to this would be redoing the surgery, but this would likely cause more damaging. My surgeon said specifically I should not have more, as it would not do well. I have nothing in writing but muse advocate for myself.
I buy most of the stuff from Amazon, even the 'covered' stuff, since its way cheaper there. I know insurence wouldn't pay for most anyway. FYI I have an ostomy which started out not so good, done without tests before as I was very 'fragile' and there was an infection. It got a bad but needed 'revision' due to the unknown infection and has never worked like it was supposed to. It also effects my energy leves and food asorbstion and general health so I DO want to find a doctor who will not dismiss my conserns as unimportant. The only 'cure' would be more major surgery which might make everything worse.
I also have a small old but good sized for me house which requires tax payments, and several pressing maintaince issues. I can do some of the work myself, but need to buy the supplies to do it and need the money for it. And the electrical stuff will take a pro, but I have too many 'dead' plugs. And of course insurence. It's not a big house and wouldn't sell for much, but was intended as a place to 'retire' to since it doesn't cost much. I am going ahead with the plans I can do without too much cost, but the other things must be done too as they are safety issues. It's not a perfect solution but I it works for me and the four legged family. I'd like to get out from under this 'cloud' so I can figure out how to fix/deal with/ improve the stuff which needs it.
I don't like having to ask for help, and I only have when there was no other option. I'd MUCH prefer that I had the cash available to get what's needed and can continue as I am, since it works. And family is getting old, in the late 80's and seriously not in good health. And this state is never going to accept federally subsidized food or medical care. I can't bare to thinnk of losing them because while they are not blood family, it will be like losing my own parents all over when they go.
I get nervous and flustered and don't explain well if I have to explain to strangers. My hope is also that I will be able to find a *good* doctor who will do the RIGHT treatment if and when it comes to that too, as the last guy ignored my explaining how the surgeon said not to fixit the way he did and since then I worry about the possible need for it and being messed up worse. All the records of the origional have vanished along with the hospital and the doctor's probably not around.
I've been doing fine since things were working out but I feel like I have NOBODY in my court if it doesn't, and I need the money to take care of myself the way which works, even if only sort of since its likely the *best* I can do.
I'm currently trying to get some help for a month with my state/aca policy and supplies but might get stuck with medicare before the hoops can be all jumped
So I feel like tomorrow the floor might fall out and its hard not to worry.
Last edited by nightbird47; 03-07-2017 at 11:22 PM..
I'm not nightbird, but my brother is in the same situation. $134 represents a good chunk of his current SS income. As for health insurance, he has been lucky to have good health so he opted to pay the penalty rather than pay for health insurance he couldn't afford and didn't need.
I was on disability before. I would think they'd take that into account, and apply perhaps a percentage. if your getting a lot more and have other sources of income it would indeed be a bargain. If you get the minimum and have then this should be reduced drastically without it taking a lot of fuss. Generally, slicing out that much from the monthly budget will mean less of something that is needed for those at the minimum level.
Your brother is indeed lucky he doesn't need the insurance right now, but someday will.
There are several of us at work that are at retirement age or within 2-4yrs. Recently, we were talking about Medicare and how much all the plans cost. One person said she was getting all that they offer with Medicare as her husband has Parkinson's. She thought that that would cost her over 200.00 a month and that they would also need supplemental insurance as well, which will be another several hundred. I was a bit shocked with all of this and although I knew I would pay out od SS for Medicare I wasn't sure just what I would need but also the cost of all of it. Then to think of supplemental and what I needed and what it costs. I am fairly well prepared for it but it was an eye opener.
So, NB, I understand your surprise and worry. Can I ask you what your understanding has been about medicare and did you know or not know it was a monthly cost?
I had asked about it, but never really got a good answer. As it is, apparently, it will cost more than I'll use, and all the stuff which isn't technically 'medical' like tape won't be covered. Or stuff like a paint on adhesive which is an absolute must even if its isn't offically 'needed' is my problem to buy like it is now. It runs between 25 and 30 a bottle on Amazon, and I lately have used a couple jars. I order another as soon as I open one just incase. I've had to be creative with my condition and more than one 'unoffical' product is involved. The adhesive is easiest to get off amazon and its half the price there, but that won't be covered.
I'm really worried since I've been dealing with this for YEARS but it seems they consider the only things people use for medical reasons are produced by big pharma....
I am going to try to get someone help advocate for me about this since I'm just too scared.
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