Here it is - Being on SSI can be better than "Normal Life"

Quite a few of you guys PM'd me on how to do things being on SSI.
And Jiro telling me to "Just do it." Here it is in pay, and savings form.

Suppose you have a family of three. You, Your spouse, and a child.
All of you are Deaf.

Instantly $1900+ in SSI checks every month. ($680 per person) More if the parents are on SSDI with previous good jobs.
edit: $2700+ in California, and Florida. Plus some other benefits in these states that should never be mentioned.

Food stamps benefits: For the family of three - can be more than $450 a month.

Section 8 Housing - You spend anywhere from $50-300 on rent a month. Savings of at least 500/month. (There are some places that are really nice that are provided for people on section 8, the only issue is that the people living there will probably never leave. It makes it harder for others to find a nice place to live)

Free insurance (100% coverage) Savings of $400-800 a month.

Daycare Costs $600-1000 a kid a month saved.

Since the kid is deaf and you had a preferred school for your child to go to, about 50 miles away. You can convince the district to pay you to drive the child to school daily. That is 100 miles twice a day. (two round trips a day, yes they will pay you for the trip back and forth without the kid.) 20 times a month. The current federal rate is 50.5 cents per mile. That's $2000 a month of free money. If you were smart, you would channel it into a business and use it all up, or at least make your profits under $5000, you wouldn't be required to report it.

In some areas you can get assistance for furniture, technology, heating, and many other stuff.
I know a guy who just moved into a new state with NOTHING, and had the state buy him his entire apartment full of furniture - sofa, dining table, dresser, bed frame, mattress, TV stand. Then the same state bought some technology stuff as fire alarm, bed alarm, etc for him. Everything brand new.

Benefits: you get to be with your child 24/7. You have this immense freedom to do whatever you want to do. No need to report to anyone.

So, with this setup - You have an income of $4300 a month. $450 in food stamps for food obviously, and $3600 for whatever you want.
$300 rent, No Daycare fees, No Insurance premiums. (Savings of $500 in rent, $600-$1000 in daycare fees, $400-800 in insurance = savings of $1500-2300 a month.)

You can choose to work. You and your spouse at $20 an hour will make $4800 a month AFTER taxes, then you have to pay for insurance, daycare, high rent, and the stress. (But not many people in the general population actually makes $20 an hour, just throwing that out as an example) So, $4800 minus $800 for rent, minus $600 for daycare, minus $350 for food, minus $500 for insurance for family = around $2500 after all the expenses.

So, Totaling the checks and savings: Family on SSI = $5800-$7300 a month from the government. Family that has two $20 an hour jobs = $4800.

Pick your posion.

Even without the child going to a school 50 miles away - You still will end up with $1600 after all the expenses. Not too bad for not working.

there you go....



*it's a pix of old Warner Bro cartoon. a pig saying "that's all folks!"

Oh, don't forget free college too.

I will be honest with you guys here, I know no one who earn that much from SSI.

jazzy said:

I will be honest with you guys here, I know no one who earn that much from SSI.

Click to expand...

good! if lot of us know who can earn that much from SSI... the government would close the loophole or tighten the regulation. these cunning people will want to stay low.

Jiro said:

good! if lot of us know who can earn that much from SSI... the government would close the loophole or tighten the regulation. these cunning people will want to stay low.

Click to expand...

I have one question for you, have you been on SSI? They are so strict and very caution with people who live on SSI. They check on them all the time so how can I see what this point is all about but if it was SSA or SSDI then it will be a different story. Many polliticals earns over 3 thousand dollars thru SSA.

jazzy said:

I have one question for you, have you been on SSI? They are so strict and very caution with people who live on SSI. They check on them all the time so how can I see what this point is all about but if it was SSA or SSDI then it will be a different story. Many polliticals earns over 3 thousand dollars thru SSA.

Click to expand...

Yeah, They're strict.

The above was what I did for 5 years. Just so you know. It was until I left my daughter's mother. After that it was not quite feasible living on the system. But still can be done. The secret is just to spend, spend, spend, spend. Thats why I had so many vacations, cutting edge gaming system*S*, All sorts of gaming consoles, played softball nonstop all over the place, played poker in Vegas win pure cash that can't be tracked, etc.

$50 rent and $700 check a month (SSDI) $200 in food stamps. You're basically set for the month really if youre single.

I thought that when you work for six month, your SSI might be automatically stopped.

From what I've heard, a family of 4, if their income is below $22,000 a year, are eligible for Food Stamps, only. (Florida). Medicaid is usually free.

As for Section 8 Housing, there is a long waiting list, sometimes over a year. And often times, offered in high-crime neighborhoods. If you turn down an offer for housing, knowing it's high-crime or not a desirable neighborhood, then you'll go back down to the bottom of the waiting list again. Another year of waiting......

$2700 monthly for SSDI in Calif. and Florida? (for both parents, or each?)....haven't seen that yet! I retired on medical in 1996, very good job @ $24/hr., but my SSDI was NO WHERE CLOSE TO $2700 a month. And I worked at the same company for close to 25 years. (Florida).

The government/state does not want you to have anything of value when you apply for SSI or SSDI!...If you've got Cable, then cut it and buy more food! You don't need a vehicle! If you've a savings account, they want to know how much, and expect you to use that before receiving any government aid.

Also, they don't consider ur car/insurance payments, or any outstanding bills. If you live in a reasonably nice neighborhood.....say $900/month, then they expect you to move to a cheaper house/apt.

If there is any way around these "loop holes" I'd like to know!

jazzy said:

I have one question for you, have you been on SSI? They are so strict and very caution with people who live on SSI. They check on them all the time so how can I see what this point is all about but if it was SSA or SSDI then it will be a different story. Many polliticals earns over 3 thousand dollars thru SSA.

Click to expand...

no

rockin'robin said:

From what I've heard, a family of 4, if their income is below $22,000 a year, are eligible for Food Stamps, only. (Florida). Medicaid is usually free.

$2700 monthly for SSDI in Calif. and Florida? (for both parents, or each?)....haven't seen that yet! I retired on medical in 1996, very good job @ $24/hr., but my SSDI was NO WHERE CLOSE TO $2700 a month. And I worked at the same company for close to 25 years. (Florida).

If there is any way around these "loop holes" I'd like to know!

Click to expand...

Do the math - three people x $680 a month in most states, or in california 900 x 3. $2700 for the entire family.

Remind me to acquire a few Deaf children.

before I forget:

Disclaimer: You have to be really creative to pull all this off. I left some important details out - if you don't think twice, the SSA will be after you.

things like mailing services....

I heard some people using SSI/SSDI for years for just comfortable living.

I was told by my former manager in NJ that one family earns $300K and filled out for NJ state free insurance, then they got it. How did they do that? Because intake counselor took their application and OVERLOOKED their income, so they got accepted in the first place. They are still using a free insurance even though they earn $300K. I am not kidding. It can happen anywhere because there are always loopholes in the system.

webexplorer said:

I thought that when you work for six month, your SSI might be automatically stopped.

Click to expand...

Only if you work full time more then the SGA per month. The SSA says the current for year 2009 is 980 per month. for 2010 is 1000 per month. As I understand if you earn 980 exactly per month all the time, then the SSA will wonder why can't you earn more and stop payments. If you earn slightly less then the SGA per month and have it vary then you will be all set. Keep in mind that this is BEFORE taxes, not after tax deducted from your paycheck.

NOW - to make it more confusing- The trial to work period you were thinkin gof for 9 months - the earning starts at 700 per month for year 2009 and 720 for 2010.

This is why I get pissed when I ask my freinds when they need extra money why not get a part time job and they all freak out afraid of losing thier SSI/SSD. Just stay below the SGA/trail to work amounts and the trail to work amounts and make sure you report it to SSA.

To sum it up - Go get a part time job and earn about 700 bucks a month before taxes/deductions or less and still receive your SSA money without fear. this will allow you to feel productive, earn extra cash you desperately need.

LOOK guys- if we just pool our sources of info and help each other, we can be better off in the future and get away from this recession blues.

two sources of info:

Trial Work Period

Substantial Gainful Activity

posts from hell said:

Yeah, They're strict.

The above was what I did for 5 years. Just so you know. It was until I left my daughter's mother. After that it was not quite feasible living on the system. But still can be done. The secret is just to spend, spend, spend, spend. Thats why I had so many vacations, cutting edge gaming system*S*, All sorts of gaming consoles, played softball nonstop all over the place, played poker in Vegas win pure cash that can't be tracked, etc.

$50 rent and $700 check a month (SSDI) $200 in food stamps. You're basically set for the month really if youre single.

Click to expand...

Are you proud of what you did?

Reba said:

Are you proud of what you did?

Click to expand...

Interesting question. Why would I need to be proud of it?

I'm taking a bit of time to think about it at this moment, and I have totally no emotions towards what I did.

During this time I also was part of several non-profit organizations doing a lot of work for no pay. I could help the community that I wanted to help, without even needing anything in return. So yes, I was proud of that.

I'm the person that does not really care for "moral standards." I wouldn't be bothered if other people do it as well. It's there for people to use it.
I do advocate it in situations where people want to improve them selves but are "stuck by work, and can't pursue their dreams."

It's just that I look at it this way: I am paying into the system right now for the times I used it, and the times I'm going to use it in the future. Like the people who want to pursue their dreams - professional athletes, starting up a business, etc.. THESE dreams will pay into the system more in the long run than them working the 8-5 she-bang. So, which is better?

All in all, I would do it again if I wanted to.

Edit:
I'm going to add this: I see life differently than most people. The way I think is really different than most. I really dislike the idea of going to college, working for a company for 30+ years following the same routine day-in, day-out then retire to "finally be able to do the things I want to do." I'm going to live life like it will end tomorrow, so - I want to have fun. I will spend time with friends, family. I spoil these who are near me. (How many people do you know will take a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label and share it with everyone?)

Just saying.

radioman said:

Only if you work full time more then the SGA per month. The SSA says the current for year 2009 is 980 per month. for 2010 is 1000 per month. As I understand if you earn 980 exactly per month all the time, then the SSA will wonder why can't you earn more and stop payments. If you earn slightly less then the SGA per month and have it vary then you will be all set. Keep in mind that this is BEFORE taxes, not after tax deducted from your paycheck.

NOW - to make it more confusing- The trial to work period you were thinkin gof for 9 months - the earning starts at 700 per month for year 2009 and 720 for 2010.

This is why I get pissed when I ask my freinds when they need extra money why not get a part time job and they all freak out afraid of losing thier SSI/SSD. Just stay below the SGA/trail to work amounts and the trail to work amounts and make sure you report it to SSA.

To sum it up - Go get a part time job and earn about 700 bucks a month before taxes/deductions or less and still receive your SSA money without fear. this will allow you to feel productive, earn extra cash you desperately need.

LOOK guys- if we just pool our sources of info and help each other, we can be better off in the future and get away from this recession blues.

two sources of info:

Trial Work Period

Substantial Gainful Activity

Click to expand...

I forgot about including that as well...... All the more reason.
Ive said this before, and I'll say this again. So many stuff out there!