OT Will minor child's wage affect mom's SSI

[ceecee]

Just a question DD and I are discussing why her friend can not get a job...she is 16 and said that if she works, her mother's SSI (on disability due to mental issues?) will be taken away. Surely, this can't be true? The girl is always in need of things and needs to be driven places because her mom doesn't have gas, etc. Anyone know the laws on this?

 

[bumbershoot]

Looking on their website...

If you receive SSI benefits, you must report any earnings from work or any other money or help that you, your spouse or children living in your household receive.

So yes, it seems as if it would change the SSI benefits. Seems it would *help* the family, though.

 

[Cindy B]

Now SSI and SSDI (sometimes just called disability) are two different things. SSI is income based. SSDI does have a "work test" but the rules are a bit less stringent.

 

[dclfun]

It sounds like she gets SSI, in which case, yes, her dd's earnings would affect her monthly check amount. I have a friend who works yet her husband received SSI- his check would vary greatly depending on her monthly income.

 

[ceecee]

Thanks for the replies. I just find it hard to believe a 16 year old's income would have an affect on her mom's SSDI payments. My DD and her other friend have been buying her clothes, homecoming dress, birthday party, etc. She was telling DD yesterday she needed $90 for a school uniform. I feel sorry for the girl but her mom doesn't seem to try to help, it's like she expects everyone else to do it for them. She has 3 kids with 2 dads and I guess both are deadbeats and don't pay child support.

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks for the replies. I just find it hard to believe a 16 year old's income would have an affect on her mom's SSDI payments. My DD and her other friend have been buying her clothes, homecoming dress, birthday party, etc. She was telling DD yesterday she needed $90 for a school uniform. I feel sorry for the girl but her mom doesn't seem to try to help, it's like she expects everyone else to do it for them. She has 3 kids with 2 dads and I guess both are deadbeats and don't pay child support.

Cant she do baby sitting or other such work for those sort of things?

 

[RitaE]

Thanks for the replies. I just find it hard to believe a 16 year old's income would have an affect on her mom's SSDI payments. My DD and her other friend have been buying her clothes, homecoming dress, birthday party, etc. She was telling DD yesterday she needed $90 for a school uniform. I feel sorry for the girl but her mom doesn't seem to try to help, it's like she expects everyone else to do it for them. She has 3 kids with 2 dads and I guess both are deadbeats and don't pay child support.

But again SSI and SSDI are not the same thing and you seem to be using them inter-changeably. Your answer depends on which she is receiving

 

[ceecee]

She is getting disability because she is too "nervous" and can't work, then two years ago she hurt her back and still can't work. So I really don't know which it is.
t'

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would assume it is SSD, and while a part-time job most likely would not be change anything, she should be receiving benefits for her daugther through her SSD and if possible giving her an "allowance" of sort. If they are really having a tough time with money the money may be going all to bills.

It is a sticky situation and the Mom may be worried her benefits will be cut. If she already suffers from anxiety, it may be hard for her to approach the worker on the matter.

And lastly, maybe Mom needs her at home. That does not open the doors for her friends to have to purchase all these items. I would open doors like Salvation Army and second hand stores. Prom dresses are most like new as they are worn once and great ones can be found.

 

[danceintherain]

Depending on the actual program, her benefits may go down when her daughter turns 18 anyways. Basically, by keeping her child from working now, she's keeping her from building work experience that she'll be able to use to better her own situation in the future.

In these situations, it's usually better to leave them alone. People get really defensive when you start questioning their way of life, even if you have information that could actually help them.

It sounds as if she needs to work it out with her mother. I understand feeling generous because someone can't have the things you have, but her friends are not responsible for buying her things. It also sounds as if it's always something else with this friend. It would be one thing if it was a one time situation, but it sounds as if she's taking advantage of the fact that her friends want to help her. It's never too early to learn to live within your means, even if you have no control over them.

Obviously, it's your daughter's decision, but there are a lot of other things she could be spending that money on, such as savings for college.

 

[StuckInKS]

If she is on SSI (amount, up to $698, is based on household income and can go up or down), any household income can affect her benefits. However, the amount of income it will take to reduce her benefits depends largely on family size and how much other income (including other benefits like food stamps) is coming in.

If she is on SSDI (amount is based on previous work history and the gainful employment of the recipient), only her income will matter. No other household income is counted. It depends on if she can be gainfully employed, which is currently defined as the ability to make $1,000 a month. With this one you either get it or you don't. The amount does not go up or down based on income.

But, as danceintherain said, I would leave it alone. People can get defensive, even if you have good intentions.

 

[Kellydelly]

When I was 17 (senior in high school) and living at home my income was reported to social services, which I am sure impacted whatever assistance my mom was getting for the household. My mom wouldn't work but I did. Nice.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

If mom is getting SSI, she should also be getting a check for the daughter. They should also be getting food stamps.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for the replies. I just find it hard to believe a 16 year old's income would have an affect on her mom's SSDI payments. My DD and her other friend have been buying her clothes, homecoming dress, birthday party, etc. She was telling DD yesterday she needed $90 for a school uniform. I feel sorry for the girl but her mom doesn't seem to try to help, it's like she expects everyone else to do it for them. She has 3 kids with 2 dads and I guess both are deadbeats and don't pay child support.

If she gets SSI, she is getting more to support her DD. If her DD works, the money she would get goes down.

 

[leahjade]

If you receive SSI benefits, you must report any earnings from work or any other money or help that you, your spouse or children living in your household receive.

Another fine government program to keep an entire family from working so they can continue to collect benefits and remain dependent on the government!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

If she is on SSI (amount, up to $698, is based on household income and can go up or down), any household income can affect her benefits. However, the amount of income it will take to reduce her benefits depends largely on family size and how much other income (including other benefits like food stamps) is coming in.

If she is on SSDI (amount is based on previous work history and the gainful employment of the recipient), only her income will matter. No other household income is counted. It depends on if she can be gainfully employed, which is currently defined as the ability to make $1,000 a month. With this one you either get it or you don't. The amount does not go up or down based on income.

But, as danceintherain said, I would leave it alone. People can get defensive, even if you have good intentions.

Both SSI and RSDI (previously SSDI) will look at household income from all sources and may have an effect on how much is received. I have clients all the time that are denied for both because the spouse makes too much, it all depends on their availablity of work credits or lack there of.

However, the point is, she should be supporting her child or encouraging her to get a job, which might mean more income into the household, unless mom truly is not able to work.

 

[ceecee]

Another fine government program to keep an entire family from working so they can continue to collect benefits and remain dependent on the government!

Seems like it. I guess with babysitting and house cleaning she could still get by with making a little extra without reporting it. I just can't seem to get around the Govt not wanting a child to make any $.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Seems like it. I guess with babysitting and house cleaning she could still get by with making a little extra without reporting it. I just can't seem to get around the Govt not wanting a child to make any $.

Seems that it's the mother that doesn't want the child to work.

I work with people trying to get SSI and RSDI and they are buckling down on who gets approved and who doesn't. It's not a perfect system and never will be, but it is getting a little harder to work the system.

 

[Mommee]

Both SSI and RSDI (previously SSDI) will look at household income from all sources and may have an effect on how much is received. I have clients all the time that are denied for both because the spouse makes too much, it all depends on their availablity of work credits or lack there of.

However, the point is, she should be supporting her child or encouraging her to get a job, which might mean more income into the household, unless mom truly is not able to work.

RSDI and SSDI refer to two separate things. SSDI does NOT look at household income; the amount is based solely on the recipient's earning history and would only be affected if the recipient themselves were to work and, after accounting for a trial work period, were found to no longer be disabled.

 

[Soben]

If you want to help the girl, you could hire her to do small jobs around your house. If she's going to be hanging around anyway, maybe you need some help cleaning out the basement or washing the car. Then it wouldn't be another hand-out situation for her.