If you are receiving disability assistance through the Social Security Administration (SSA), you will not want to do anything to jeopardize the funds that you receive monthly. And you may wonder if social security is able to watch your bank account to ensure that you still qualify. The answer to this depends on the type of disability assistance you are receiving.
Does the SSA Watch Bank Accounts for SSI?
If you are currently receiving Social Security Income (SSI), the SSA actually can check your bank account, as they have the permission to do so. SSI is a needs-based program for those that don’t qualify for full social security disability benefits due to lack of work history, age, or other factors. Given the parameters of this program, it is within the SSA’s rights to make sure that you are still in need.
SSI allows an individual’s assets to be very limited in order to receive assistance. Currently, the asset limit for an individual is less than $2,000 and for a couple, it is $3,000. For 2021, SSI monthly payments amount to $794 for an individual and $1,191 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse. If the SSA finds that someone has more assets than the limit, they may no longer receive the benefits.
Does the SSA Watch Bank Accounts for SSDI?
In the case of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the SSA does not physically check bank accounts for asset limits. However, you may lose benefits if you have an increase in income or assets that is discovered during a review process.
For 2021, the general social security disability income limit is $1,276 per month. If you start working again or work additional jobs and earn more than the income limit, your benefits may no longer be approved.
The review process for your SSDI case will fall into three possible categories. They are: Medical Improvement Expected (MIE), Medical Improvement Possible (MIP), and Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE). The classification of your case determines how often you will be receiving eligibility reviews for your social security disability.
If your case is labeled as MIE, the SSA expects that your condition will improve and you will have a review in approximately six to 18 months. If you have not improved, another review will be scheduled in another six to 18 months. If your case is labeled as MIP, your review will take place in approximately two to five years. Again, if you are found to have not improved, the review will not take place for another two to five years. MINE status is unlikely to improve, but a review will still take place every five to seven years, with the same follow-up process as the other designations.
If you have questions about the SSA and your social security disability, or if you have been denied coverage, contact the professionals at Tabak Law by calling 844-432-0114 or filling out a form on this page.
