Every month, millions of older Americans receive Social Security benefits from the SSA. If you are one of those, then you are well aware of how the agency usually issues automatic payments each month. However, starting in May, that is going to change for some of the beneficiaries, especially if they fail to meet the updated requirements.
No, it has nothing to do with a system error. According to the Social Security Administration, if a user forgets to report changes in their economic status, their account could be subject to suspension of automatic payments. If you want to avoid it, then here is everything you need to know. Stay well informed to avoid getting your Social Security frozen.
Although this new policy doesn’t affect everyone, you could be at risk if you are one of these people. First and very obvious is when a beneficiary dies, their payment is stopped immediately. However, if the family fails to report the death of the individual, they can land in trouble for receiving payments that should be returned to the SSA.
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but decide to go back to work, you could potentially risk your monthly checks. If your income exceeds the required limit for the benefit, the agency might decide that you are no longer eligible.
In addition, if you are receiving SSI benefits but have spent over a month outside the United States, your account could be suspended. It doesn’t matter if you return after, you should always report every change, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Not to mention, getting hitched, divorced, relocating, starting a new job, and even receiving an inheritance, could affect your benefits, only when you fail to report them within due time. If you don’t keep the Social Security Administration updated about these things, they could decide that you no longer qualify.
Now comes the most difficult part. What if you have already lost your checks? Well, there are many other federal and state-level benefits you might qualify for. If you don’t have sufficient work history and your income is low, you might qualify for SSI payments. You could receive up to a $967 check monthly. In the case of a joint application, a couple might receive $1,450 per month.
Many people over 60 could apply for SNAP, the well-known food stamps. It doesn’t require much paperwork, and it also doesn’t really interfere with other benefits you might be getting.
The next obvious one is Medicaid, which is the Medical Care without Medicare. It offers a wide range of benefits, including covering doctors ‘ fees, medications, hospital bills, and more, depending on your income. Although it’s not automatic, it could help you a lot in a serious situation.
There’s also state aid, which could vary, but you could apply for it. The checks could help you with many emergency utility bills, including rent, electricity, and gas. Check with your local social services to see if you qualify for the benefits.
Since the new requirements will come into effect in May, you need to stay informed if you depend on SSA monthly checks. To avoid any unexpected trouble, report everything you need to, and verify your information as soon as possible.
