Resource Considerations for SSI

Resources

Remember that SSI is based on need. Determining if a person has assets that can be easily liquidated to help provide support is part of the SSA need equation. Many, if not most, of the individuals/families you serve will not have countable resources, but it is important to ascertain whether they do. It is possible that a youth or parent/caregiver has forgotten about certain assets or that circumstances have made it difficult to manage his/her assets. Be sure to explore whether or not the child or family has any assets.

Value of Resources

SSA regulations indicate that the total value of resources cannot exceed certain limits. For child applicants, a portion of a parent’s resources may be “deemed” to the child. The same rationale applies to examining sources of income.

SSA does not require applicants to determine the value of personal belongings, but certain other valuables are counted as resources.

Generally, trusts are counted as resources. Trusts can be very complicated. Contact SSA to get help in sorting out trust information. See POMS SI 01110.210 for a full list of resource exclusions.

Resource Deeming

Additionally, there are many rules dealing with resource deeming. Deeming is a term used by SSA when it considers another person’s resources - such as the resources of an applicant’s spouse, or if the applicant is a child, the child’s parent - to be the applicant’s resources. Deeming applies when the spouse or parent is not eligible for SSI (ineligible spouse or ineligible parent) and lives in the same household as the claimant. In general, the resources of an ineligible spouse or parent(s) will be included as a deemed resource of the claimant, regardless of whether the claimant has access to the resources. Additionally, the same resource exclusions noted above apply when deeming resources. There are a few additional deeming rules applicable to children:

• Countable resources are deemed only to the extent that the resources exceed the resource limit for an individual (when the child is living with one parent) or a couple (when the child is living with two parents or a parent and a spouse).
• If there is more than one SSI eligible child under age 18 in the household, the value of the deemed resources is equally divided among those children.
• In the case of a disabled child under age 18 who is living in the same household with his or her parents, the deeming provisions do not apply if the child (i) Is disabled; and (ii) Previously received one or more months of SSI benefits limited to the $30 reduced benefit rate (plus any federally-administered optional State supplementary (OSS) payment) while in a medical treatment facility, and (ii) Is eligible for Medicaid under a State home care plan; and (iii) Would otherwise be ineligible because of the deeming of his or her parents' resources or income, or would be eligible for less SSI than he or she would receive (usually $30 plus any applicable Optional State Supplementation payment) under this deeming waiver provision.

For additional information on resource deeming, contact your local SSA field office.