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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
My father died and left me
My father died and left me the beneficiary of his pension is this considered and income and how will it effect my ssdi
In reply to My father died and left me by Çhris (not verified)
Hi Chris,
Hi Chris,
This shouldn't impact your SSDI. If you receive any income from employment that's over the SGA, that is when your SSDI may be affected or stopped.
My niece is receiving ssdi
My niece is receiving ssdi from her father's ss. He passed away 3 yrs ago and her mother who is still young has a job for the first time. Does her mothers income affect her benefits?
In reply to My niece is receiving ssdi by Betty (not verified)
Hi Betty,
Hi Betty,
Your niece's benefits won't be affected since her SSDI is based on her record on not on income.
My mother passed away and
My mother passed away and left her house to no one can I sell my share to my sister without it affecting my SSI benefits
In reply to My mother passed away and by Mona (not verified)
Hi Mona,
Hi Mona,
The money you receive from the house being sold may affect your SSI benefits because the SSA will count that as additional income.
I am on ssdi perminate
I am on ssdi perminate simce2o8 yrs old i am now 59 I am recieving an allowance out of my dads trust .ive always had medi medi now medicare is taking premiums and medi cal has givin me a S O C.outragious of 3475. I cannot afford this .i cannot pick up my hiv meds this month as they ard 1200 plus and 2 wks ago ive been hospitalized for a new diagnosis of breast cancer .im havimg trouble understanding how inheritence doeznt affect benifits
In reply to I am on ssdi perminate by Kelly (not verified)
Hi Kelly,
Hi Kelly,
If you are on SSDI benefits, it is based on your own disability/condition/ailment, so receiving an inheritance will not affect it because SSDI benefits are not based on income, like SSI benefits are.
How long after you gift
How long after you gift inheritance money to someone do you have to wait before you qualify for SSI, Medicaid, etc. again?
In reply to How long after you gift by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
There is no specific amount of time, just know that the SSA will count that inheritance money as apart of your income when applying for SSI
In reply to Hi There, by Eric
Will my 25,000 in savings
Will my 25,000 in savings affect my SSI benefits that I receive now?
In reply to Will my 25,000 in savings by Misty (not verified)
Hi Misty,
Hi Misty,
It could since SSI is a needs based program.
If I am receiving SSID and my
If I am receiving SSID and my spouse passes away and leaves a large life insurance will it affect my SSID?
In reply to If I am receiving SSID and my by Mark (not verified)
Hi Mark,
Hi Mark,
That should not impact your SSDI!
Wil my diabblity benifit get
Wil my diabblity benifit get take away if i get married?
In reply to Wil my diabblity benifit get by Anandi (not verified)
Hi Anandi,
Hi Anandi,
It depends on which type of benefit you are receiving and what your spouse's income is. If you are receiving SSDI then you benefits will not be impacted. If you are on SSI, then it may be reduced or stopped if your spouse makes a decent living wage.
Can you report someone who
Can you report someone who received two checks over the amount of $17000.00 for not reporting this to SSI. This was money from the death of her father. She is also on Food stamps, Section 8 & of course Medicaid.
In reply to Can you report someone who by Barbara E. Meyer (not verified)
Hi Barbara,
Hi Barbara,
You are able to report someone for not reporting income to the SSA. SSI is based on income and that inheritance should have had some effect on her benefits.
My dad passed away. My mom
My dad passed away. My mom will be selling the house and, possibly, moving in with a relative that is on Social Security Disability. She (my mom) wants to 'pay her way' for housing & groceries. Will this (her 'paying her way') affect the relative's SSDI?
In reply to My dad passed away. My mom by Gail (not verified)
Hi Gail,
Hi Gail,
I am so sorry to hear that. Receiving an inheritance does not affect someone's SSDI benefits, since those are based off her record and not income.
If someone was drawing ssd,
If someone was drawing ssd, Medicaid, and Medicare as well due to an accident that occurred to someone at age 21. If an inheritance came about, will he loose his ssd, or any other health services?
In reply to If someone was drawing ssd, by Kra (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
It would not since his SSDI is based off of his own record and not on income.
When my mom died, she left me
When my mom died, she left me a "trust fund". I am receiving SSDI and was wondering if it would change my benefits? Also, my brother is my trustee and he closed the account I had my trust fund in, because he didn't want social security to know about it. He then opened up another account at another bank and put his wife's name on the account ( my name is nowhere in it) and they put money on a Walmart money card, that irecieve twice a month. Can the legall
In reply to When my mom died, she left me by Kathi (not verified)
Hi Kathi,
Hi Kathi,
If you are receiving SSDI, then a trust fund should not impact your benefits. As for the later part of your question, I do not know the answer. Sorry!
I'm on ssdi and my dad
I'm on ssdi and my dad is giving/ inheriting me his house when he passes away and I'm inheriting $20,000 from his life insurance policy. Will this affect my benefits
In reply to I'm on ssdi and my dad by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Since you are on SSDI, that inheritance will not affect your benefits.
If my husband inherited some
If my husband inherited some money from his father passing which is slit up between him and six of his siblings will it affect me from getting SSDI neither one has come yet his money might come before my SSDI thanks
In reply to If my husband inherited some by Vicky (not verified)
Hi Vicky,
Hi Vicky,
SSDI isn't based on your work credits, not income, so the inheritance should not affect your claim.
If I have ssdi would the
If I have ssdi would the government take any of an inheritance I may or may not receive
In reply to If I have ssdi would the by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
SSDI is based on work credits therefore an inheritance should not affect your benefits.
hi, how does trustee income
hi, how does trustee income affect ssdi? i became a trustee of a trust for an elderly uncle who has dementia & had to be placed into a care facility after his doctor said he cant live alone anymore. he has no other family living & i did not want him becoming a ward of the state. it has severly affected my health which already isnt good but i took over responsibility for his legal medical & financial stuff two years ago. the lawyer that handles the trust says i'm entitled to be paid for some of the management of the trust but i'm afraid to do that bc i dont want it affecting my benefits. thanks for your help
I currently receive SSI in
I currently receive SSI in the state of California. My brother who is terminally ill wants to will me his car that he recently purchased for $25,000. Will that affect my SSI?
In reply to I currently receive SSI in by Carole (not verified)
Hi Carole,
Hi Carole,
SSI is determined by your income so there is a chance that your SSI will be affected. To figure out exactly how the car will affect your specific case, I recommend meeting with your local SSA office.
Will SSDI benefits be
Will SSDI benefits be affected if I become power of Attorny for a person who is also recieving SSDI benefits.
In reply to Will SSDI benefits be by Jose R (not verified)
Hi Jose,
Hi Jose,
It shouldn't since your SSDI is based on your own record and not on income.
I'm on SSI I will
I'm on SSI I will probably a be getting some money since my mother passed away maybe around 10,000. I was told that I can use it towards a house or piece of property and it would not be counted against me. Is this true?
In reply to I'm on SSI I will by Brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
With SSI, an inheritance is generally counted as income and therefore could potentially jeopardize your SSI benefits. The SSA sets an asset cap that you are not allowed to exceed. Generally the SSA does not count the house that you live in against your cap however it is always best to call your local SSA office and they will be able to go over the more specific details of your case. I have included a link where you can read a little more about what counts as an asset and what doesn't.
Hope this helps.
Hi I am a CHHA for a ladie
Hi I am a CHHA for a ladie who is on ssi she was left a trust from HER Father whom passed away. she never reported it. now thee going to cancel all her benefits. what does she have to do? An will she lose all that money
In reply to Hi I am a CHHA for a ladie by Mykie (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Unfortunately, the SSA does count inheritance as an income and it can affect her benefits. Depending on how much time has passed, she may be asked to pay some of her benefits back to the SSA. It is always a good idea to keep them updated on all financial changes and I would make an appointment where an SSA employee can help go over the details of your case.
What happens if the TRUST has
What happens if the TRUST has a clause in it that says if your on disability you are not to get your portion of the inheritance? The Executor of the trust does not want to turn/deny his sisters their portion, so has over looked this clause. Both sisters have been on disability for several years now.
In reply to What happens if the TRUST has by Donna (not verified)
Hi Donna,
Hi Donna,
I would recommend discussing this with a lawyer as it falls a bit outside of the scope of our knowledge.
Last yr I finally got
Last yr I finally got approved for SS DISABILITY. I receive under $1,000 month, due to a TBI. My brain injury is just part of my disability. If my Dad leaves me some $ when he passes, will my Disability check be less monthly. I also am head of household now of my daughter, and her 5 month old son. I have been for almost a yr. She can't work either due to her son, my grandsons, illnesses. Seems like the more anguish, I feel this state is so backwards!
In reply to Last yr I finally got by Beth Ann (not verified)
Hi Beth Ann,
Hi Beth Ann,
Disability is based on work credits and is not affected by income or inheritance and therefore your benefits should not be affected.
What happens when you are on
What happens when you are on SSD and you receive an inheritance from a family member will it affect benifits
What happens when you are on
What happens when you are on SSD and you receive an inheritance from a family member will it affect benifits
In reply to What happens when you are on by Meme (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
SSDI is based on work credits and not income or assets. Therefore, your benefits should not change if you receive an inheritance.
I am recieving disability
I am recieving disability plus my husband passed and I'm recieving a small amt of his ssi
My mom just passed.
If I receive inheritance let's say 10-15000. Will I lose my current income I live on?
In reply to I am recieving disability by Ronda (not verified)
Hi Rhonda,
Hi Rhonda,
If you are on SSDI, then you should be fine. If you are receiving SSI, then you may lose your benefits.
my parent is to leave me her
my parent is to leave me her house in her will. i am on ssi and ssdi...also a small cash inheritance. if i sell the house to get something smaller i can afford, will it affect my benefits in either category
In reply to my parent is to leave me her by Brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
SSDI is based solely on your previous work history. Therefore an inheritance should not affect those benefits.
SSI is needs based and therefore any income or assets could have an affect. There are income limits and maximum assets that you cannot exceed if you would like to keep receiving SSI. To get a more exact answer for your specific situation, I recommend setting an appointment with your local SSA office.
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