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Continued eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits is dependent on many different factors. These include your ability to work, your living situation, and any income and resources you have earned. However, the two disability benefit programs—SSI and SSDI—vary. What may disqualify an SSI recipient may not disqualify and SSDI recipient. Today we will be answering a question about the effect of inheritance on a person’s Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
If you have a question that you’d like us to address in a future blog post, please leave it in the comment section below or contact us through Facebook, or Twitter. Today’s question is:
Back to topWill inheritance affect my SSDI benefits?
If you are a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipient and receive an inheritance, it will not affect your benefits. SSDI is not a needs-based program and is not contingent upon your unearned income—including inheritance.
The only income that may potentially affect your SSDI benefits is any wages that you earn through employment. If you engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), your monthly payments could be lowered or eliminated as a result. In 2024, SGA is considered to be earning $1,550 or more in one month. If you begin working while receiving SSDI benefits, then it is necessary to report this income to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and have recently inherited funds, your benefits may potentially be affected. This is due to the fact that the SSI program is based on financial need. Any income, earned or unearned, can affect your benefits. Therefore it is imperative to inform the SSA of any changes to your income. You have up to ten days following the end of the month in which the change occurred to report the change.
Back to topAdditional Resources
- Social Security Benefits Calculator
- 5 Best Things To Do if Denied Social Security
- What Is SSDI
- Difference Between SSI and SSDI
- Is Arthritis A Disability
- What Can I Spend My SSDI Payments On?
Blog comments
In reply to I am currently applying for by Pete (not verified)
Hi Pete,
Hi Pete,
If you are on SSDI it should be okay.
My son is on SSDI.WHEN I
My son is on SSDI.WHEN I RECEIVE MY LAWSUIT.WILL THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAKE MY SON BENEFITS AWAY FROM HIM.THANKS
I'M SORRY IT SSI.IF MY
I'M SORRY IT SSI.IF MY SON IS ON SSI.WILL THEY STOP HIS BENEFITS.WHEN I RECEIVE MY LAWSUIT FROM MY CAR ACCIDENT.
In reply to I'M SORRY IT SSI.IF MY by Omar (not verified)
Hi Omar,
Hi Omar,
If your son were to receive a piece of the portion from your settlement, it could affect his SSI benefits.
I JUST FOUND SOME PAPER WORK
I JUST FOUND SOME PAPER WORK THAT MY HUSBAND HAS A SET ASIDE ACCOUNT IN SOCIAL SECURITY FROM A WORK INJURY.IT ALSO STATED IT IS REQUESTED THAT SOCIAL SECURITY
CONSIDER THE MONTHLY PAYMENT OVER THE BALANCE OF HIS LIFE EXPECTANCY.MYHUSBAND DIE OCT 20TH 2028
In reply to I JUST FOUND SOME PAPER WORK by COLLEEN (not verified)
Hi Colleen,
Hi Colleen,
You might want to speak with a SSA representative regarding that.
My mother passed away and
My mother passed away and left an inheritance to myself and my brother who is on SSDI with Supplemental SSI a small amount around $100.00 a month for the SSI. I know that the inheritance will not affect the SSDI but will it do something to the SSI?
In reply to My mother passed away and by laurie (not verified)
Hi Laurie,
Hi Laurie,
I am sorry to hear that. Yes it may affect that amount because SSI is based on income and they will take into consideration that inheritance as apart of his income.
Why do i only get 9dollars
Why do i only get 9dollars ssi?
In reply to Why do i only get 9dollars by Karan (not verified)
Hi Karan,
Hi Karan,
Each case is different, but I would contact the SSA about that!
Why should it matter if I
Why should it matter if I receive an inheritance while on SSI? I worked for that SSI money, why should I be penalized????
In reply to Why should it matter if I by B (not verified)
Hi B,
Hi B,
If you are receiving SSI, inheritance impacts your benefits because SSI is based on financial need.
If I get inherdence of
If I get inherdence of property’s when my parents pass will it affect my si disability
In reply to If I get inherdence of by Sandra (not verified)
Hi Sandra,
Hi Sandra,
Since you are on SSDI, it will not be affected.
I am on Sadi will my benefit
I am on Sadi will my benefit amount change and in what way once I reach retirement age
In reply to I am on Sadi will my benefit by Debby bichard (not verified)
Hi Debby,
Hi Debby,
Your SSDI will automatically switch to Social Security retirement with no changes.
Ten years of my income is
Ten years of my income is missing from my file In 1980 I had a problem with income tax due to marriage and lost 10 yrs of my income some how . What can I do to find it
In reply to Ten years of my income is by Debby Bichard (not verified)
Hi Debby,
Hi Debby,
We are not affiliated with the SSA. You may want to contact them about this.
I am trying to help my
I am trying to help my brother, how do I tell what c
Kind of benefits he has, SSI, or SSDI. He is 57 and was given 100 percent disability. He is really confused and so am I?
In reply to I am trying to help my by Susan K Mendelsohn (not verified)
Hi Susan,
Hi Susan,
Has his disability prohibited him from returning to work? If so, he most likely has SSDI benefits.
do i have report
do i have report inheritance SSDI or SSA or SSI ?
In reply to do i have report by DOROTHY (not verified)
Hi Dorothy,
Hi Dorothy,
So the SSA (Social Security Administration) is the governing body that hands out Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If you are on either program you have to report that income to the SSA.
What happens if you’re on
What happens if you’re on SSDI and your son gets SSI and you (the one on SSDI) is left an inheritance will that effect your son getting SSI? The inheritance is not in his (the son’s) name.
In reply to What happens if you’re on by Juliane (not verified)
Hi Juliane,
Hi Juliane,
It would only affect his SSI if he were to receive money from it. However, just to be safe, I would recommend speaking with a SSA rep regarding this matter.
my mom passed and she had
my mom passed and she had mesh lawsuit...can social security and disability take it
In reply to my mom passed and she had by Rebecca gilmore (not verified)
Hi Rebecca,
Hi Rebecca,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Receiving a lawsuit settlement does not affect SSDI benefits.
hi I was wondering if I sell
hi I was wondering if I sell some real estate I own and want to sell will effect my disability benefits thanks
In reply to hi I was wondering if I sell by jim (not verified)
Hi Jim,
Hi Jim,
It depends whether you are on SSDI or SSI.
If you are on SSDI it will not.
If you are on SSI it may.
My mother has put my brothers
My mother has put my brothers future inheritance in my name so he does not loose his SSDI. But will that make me loose my SSI? Also, do you loose it for only one month when you receive the inheritance no matter how much the inheritance is or do you loose it for a longer period of time?
In reply to My mother has put my brothers by brewer, sue ellen (not verified)
Hi Sue Ellen,
Hi Sue Ellen,
Inheritance won't impact SSDI but rather SSI. SSI is based on an income rather while SSDI is based on work credits.
I am on SSDI and my husband
I am on SSDI and my husband is my caregiver. If I receive an inheritance from my mother does he receive it?
In reply to I am on SSDI and my husband by Kelly Jean (not verified)
Hi Kelly,
Hi Kelly,
That's a good question. I can't say for sure who would actually receive it in their bank account, but he would be in charge of handling the money for you.
my mother in law is the
my mother in law is the beneficiary of some life insurance policies for her now deceased husband. will this affect her ssi?
In reply to my mother in law is the by bill0341 (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
It's possible, because SSI is based on income and the SSA will take into consideration those life insurance policies as apart of her income.
My boyfriend his mother died
My boyfriend his mother died in a car crash he will be getting money from the estate will that affect his money?
In reply to My boyfriend his mother died by Tina (not verified)
Hi Tina,
Hi Tina,
I am so sorry to hear that. If he is on SSDI, then his benefits will not be affected. If he is on SSI, it may.
My mother left me her house
My mother left me her house at death if I purchase a home will I lose my ssdi
In reply to My mother left me her house by Vickie (not verified)
Hi Vickie,
Hi Vickie,
I am so sorry for your loss. However an inheritance won't affect your SSDI benefits.
When I start getting money
When I start getting money from retirement,,401 and monthly retirement pay. Will this effect my ssdi
In reply to When I start getting money by Steve curran (not verified)
Hi Steve,
Hi Steve,
Once you turn 66, your SSDI benefits will convert to regular retirement benefits and the amount you are getting from SSDI will not change.
My brother receives SSI. He
My brother receives SSI. He about to inherit some money. If he receives that money and turns around and buys a home that month, how does that efffect his SSI?
In reply to My brother receives SSI. He by Patti (not verified)
Hi Patti,
Hi Patti,
Since SSI is based on income, that inheritance may affect his SSI benefits. to the extent, I do not know exactly because every case is different.
Question I am on SSI
Question I am on SSI disability. If I win money will it effect my bennifits.
In reply to Question I am on SSI by Teresa White (not verified)
Since you are on SSDI
Since you are on SSDI benefits, your inheritance will not affect your benefits.
Was wondering, since I am on
Was wondering, since I am on SSDI and I recieved an inheritance, is it possible to invest that money for future use. I know you cannot not have earned assets or investments, but what can be done with the money other than letting it just sit?
In reply to Was wondering, since I am on by Rachael (not verified)
Hi Rachael,
Hi Rachael,
Inheritance will not impact your SSDI since SSDI is not a needs based program. Inheritance is counted as unearned income, only earned income (income from working) counts against you. On SSDI, you can also earn income from investments as it is considered unearned income as well.
My sister was my mother
My sister was my mother beneficiarie on her pension it was only 623 left they gave a check and then made her pay all of it back out her ssi why.
In reply to My sister was my mother by Barbara (not verified)
Hi Barbara,
Hi Barbara,
It's because SSI is mainly a needs-based program based on income. Any additional income, no matter how small it is may affect someone's SSI benefits.
My mom just passed away
My mom just passed away leaving the home.Im on disability waiting for a double lung transplant...will moving into the home affect my disability income.and medicatijns ?
In reply to My mom just passed away by Chrissy (not verified)
Hi Chrissy,
Hi Chrissy,
I am so sorry to hear that. Fortunately, your SSDI will not be affected because it is based off of your condition and not income.
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