Latest / BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast / What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in New Jersey? - Christine Matus

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What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in New Jersey? - Christine Matus · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: What is Supplemental Security Income SSI in New Jersey?
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: For families caring for a disabled child or aging loved one in New Jersey, a single financial misstep could silently erase a federal benefit they depend on to survive.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: Supplemental security income is a federal cash assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals who are blind, disabled, or aged 65 and older with very limited income and resources.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Unlike standard Social Security, SSI is funded through general tax revenues rather than payroll taxes, which means eligibility is determined by financial need rather than your work history.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Many families confuse SSI with Social Security disability insurance, but SSDI is paid from a worker's own earnings record and carries no asset limit, while SSI sets strict income and resource ceilings under federal law.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Under 42 USC section 1382C, a disabled adult is someone with a medically determinable impairment that prevents substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: Children under 18 qualify under a separate disability standard, requiring marked and severe functional limitations, with the Social Security Administration reviewing medical records, school records, and treating source statements.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: To qualify, an applicant must also be a U.S.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: citizen or qualifying non-citizen, live permanently in the United States, and not reside in a government-funded institution such as a public hospital, nursing home, or prison.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: The SSA caps countable resources at$2,000 for an individual and$3,000 for a couple, counting cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, land, vehicles, and any sellable property.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: For children under 18, a portion of the parent's assets is deemed to belong to the child under federal regulations, though deeming ends entirely at age 18, meaning a young adult previously denied may then qualify.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Certain assets are exempt under 42 USC section 1382B, including the family's primary residence, household goods, burial plots, life insurance policies with a face value of$1,500 or less, and qualifying educational grants.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: A supplemental needs trust as one of the most powerful legal tools available, because assets held in this type of trust are not counted as resources, allowing your loved one to remain eligible while still receiving meaningful financial support.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: The Mattis Law Group works closely with families throughout New Jersey to build tailored legal strategies, walking clients through eligibility rules, resource limits, and the steps needed to safeguard these critical benefits long into the future.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: When a family in Monmouth County or anywhere in New Jersey needs a lawyer to protect their disabled loved ones' financial future, careful planning guided by an experienced attorney can make all the difference.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Contact the Mattis Law Group, located at 125 Half Mile RD Ste 200, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 United States by calling 732 785 4453 to schedule your consultation and secure a legal plan built around your family's needs.