Quote:
Originally Posted by shezbut
Hi there Hellion,
I am on SSI for my disabilities, and I do work part-time. I work 12-15 hours/week as a food server at a nearby retirement facility. I've been there for 1 1/2 years (so far), and I really enjoy what I do. I'm *not* in it for the money, LOL! 
In a way, I am kind of "penalized" for working. Social Security would pay me $733/month if I weren't working, and I would also qualify for Food Stamps of $110/month. However, Food Stamps have gone down to $15/month and my SS income varies depending upon my income 1 or 2 months before.
I'm allowed to make $65/month before SS makes a decrease. From there, 50% of my income is subtracted from that amount. Whatever is left over, I get the difference. So, say I make 314.78 one month. I mail copies of my paystubs to the local SS office (with my SS# written on them) by the 5th of the month.
314.50
-65.00
249.50
Now, I need to remove 50% of that 249.50 -----> 124.25
Total amount SS would pay me, and subtract that amount:
731.00 -124.50
606.25
So, in a month or two, I expect my SS payment to be 606.25
Of course, I do have that 314.50, which makes my total income to be around 920/month. However, 1/3 of my income goes to rent and my Food Stamps has decreased significantly. *sigh* It's a pain in the rear to think about finances, and all of that, but I do enjoy getting out "in the real world" a few days per week & I still continue to see my doctors and group T regularly.
Tax time is very confusing to me though, so I definitely recommend seeing a tax aide every year that you work. But, maybe that's just me.
Very best wishes to you, Hellion.  |
Hmm that does sound kind of complicated, but workable....I have from time to time gotten money for doing surveys but its very inconsistent, I mentioned a while back when I first got the SSI that I had gotten a check for 40$ and they said I don't really have to report that....and it certainly wouldn't effect my payments. But yeah I've earned around 20 dollars here and there on online surveys sites and have done a few in person sorts at the mall near where I live.
I am not entirely sure what the rules for reporting/not reporting that are I guess I could try and call the SSI office or go in person and ask for more specifics on the rules for that since they don't really cover what you have to report as far as side income that's not a job or doesn't occur on a regular basis. I have been sort of avoiding much surveys since I got on the SSI though out of those concerns...otherwise I'd do it more often so I suppose it would not hurt to go ask. It might work like gifts, like I don't think I have to report gift money from relatives on the holidays....especially since its never even much.
I have also thought about that mystery shopping thing, where you get a list of things to get like at the grocery to try like your just normal shopping....provide feedback and get paid some as well as reimbursed for whatever products you where assigned to buy, but again rather unclear on reporting inconsistent sums of money i would not be making on a regular basis to SSI so thats a major reason I have not at all pursued that.