Recently, I’ve been observing some parents of “high functioning” individuals with intellectual disabilities delay the application for Social Security SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
I think this is a mistake.
I’m assuming they figure “we can always do it later”.
But that’s not exactly true.
Social Security manages multiple systems and those systems don’t always play well together.
Social Security RSDI (Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) is an insurance paid by Employees & Employers out of payroll taxes. When you qualify for a benefit under RSDI, you join the federal Medicare healthcare system. Benefits are based on earnings and not on assets.
Social Security SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a welfare program for individuals who cannot work due to a disability and is not related to paying into the RSDI system. Benefits are effected both by income but also assets. Most importantly, when you qualify for a financial benefit, you are given access to state Medicaid healthcare and other state programs accessed through Medicaid.
Unless an individual is on a trajectory to live an independent life, I think postponing (and possibly eliminating) access to SSI is a mistake. Certain benefits such as 1619(b) are only available if you qualified for SSI at least for a month.
disABLED PATHWAYS 