Purplebill - Disabilities Message Board

Ammy · 07-26-2004, 10:03 PM

A question about retro benefits if you don't mind.

SSD Back Benefits: $24,658

SSI Back Benefits: $27,607

I understand that the SSD benefits are used to offset the SSI benefits, but in my case the SSI is more than the SSD. Right now, I've received one SSI installment of $6,768. In 6 months, I'm to get another $6,768 SSI installment. 6 months after that, the balance of the $27,607.

I've been told 2 different things about the SSD retro.

1.) That I won't get any at all, that it will go to pay the attorney and the rest to SSI for the offset.

2.) That I WILL get the SSD retro. That the attorney's fees and the first $6,768 installment of SSI will be deducted from the $24,658 and I will receive the balance left (supposedly within 60 days). And then, in 6 months, I will get any SSI left oweing. (Around $3,000 difference between the SSI and SSD.)

Do you know which scenario is correct? I was told by the SSI rep handling my SSI claim that I wouldn't get any SSD retro. I've been told by 2 attorney's that the SSI and attorney's fees should be deducted from the SSD retro, and I should receive the balance as the SSA won't make me wait 6 months to receive money again (SSI), when I already have money (SSD) waiting for release.

I've gotten conflicting advice, and don't know which is correct. Especially since my SSI retro is more than my SSD retro. From what I understand, this isn't a common thing... I have a low SSD monthly amount ($479) therefore my retro amount is low compared to the SSI amount.

Kissa · 07-27-2004, 10:04 AM

Just thought I'd throw this in, with an amount like you are mentioning you will probably want to save a portion of it to pay taxes next year both state and federal. A lot of folks forget about this if they don't have it pre-taxed and then are in a huge mess come tax time.

Ammy · 07-27-2004, 11:11 AM

I'm planning on doing that Kissa... I just don't know which one to plan for yet. LOL

I don't know if I'll be getting the SSD retro in about 60 days or so... or if I won't get anymore retro until after the first of the year. (SSI... which I should get another installment in January)

I admit, the first $6,768 installment payment is almost gone, and I just got it last Thursday. Less than a week. But I had so many bills to pay, plus I have to move to TN (from MO) because my husband got a job there. Been having to wait until I got some of the retro pay in before we had the money to get a place to stay. All the bills are taken care of and the house is rented, and I have about $1000 left from that installment, but that's about it.

I just don't know which way this is going to pan out, so I don't really know which way to head with the planning issue.

Kissa · 07-27-2004, 01:42 PM

As a general rule figure 20% overall. You said your husband is working, that will come into consideration come tax time. The more your household income is the higher your tax bracket becomes and the more you end up paying in taxes. SS will pre tax your payments for you and is a good option once you get yourself all straightened out.

you are the second person I've run across who gets both ssd and ssi, I didn't know it was possible. I guess because my rate is quite a bit higher than most indiviuals due to the salary's I've earned over the years. I am curious though don't they take your husbands pay into consideration for the ssi?

Ammy · 07-27-2004, 02:36 PM

Yes, they took his income into account with the SSI. However, we didn't get married until April so it was only counted for April, May, and June of this year.

I worked off and on for 18 years as a waitress. I made from $1.70 an hour (in 1985) up to $2.13 an hour (2000). So, I didn't pay very much into the SS system over the years, compared to someone that worked a decent paying job.

I get SSI "and" SSD because my SSD monthly amount is only $478 ($412 after they deduct the Medicare payment). My SSI monthly amount is $97.93. So, combined, I'm getting $576 a month.

My husband works making $10 an hour. However, he has a court ordered child support payment that is garnished from his paycheck every payday thru Child Support Enforcement. They don't count that at all. It's like he doesn't even make that money every month. After deducting the CS amount from his monthly earnings, and doing all the other math they do (the 1/2 of the income etc.) he's below the income amount that would have his income deemed to me. That's the way the SSI rep at the local office that did my claim explained it to me. So, since his income doesn't affect me, and my SSD amount is so low... that's why I also get a small SSI check as well every month.

Hope that explained it enough to you, because it was sure confusing to me when she was trying to explain it to ME! LOL