ilovekermit

baker...


use of the word "recipients" means tested, and "beneficiaries" are people who receive benefits of insurance programs (i.e. not means tested) in federal lingo. most people don't understand this, including some who work for them, but by using one term or the other they believe they are being clear since the difference in wording related to a difference in program policy


so this means that SSI is not a social security benefit. SSI is a program managed by SSA that people receive.

also when you fill out the fafsa there is a place that asks if you receive SSI, TANF etc

if you tick off that box as a yes, you get the automatic zero, this is regardless of additional SSDI benefits

the one exception to that that I know of is SSA PASS program, where you could have substantial savings and income while receiving up to the maximum SSDI benefit of around 2k per month. However when you report savings over 2k the SSI limit and income of the maximum combined federal and state SSI level +20, you fasfa will be pulled for verification where you will NOT get the automatic zero. that is a complicated and rare situation where ticking off the box will not result in an automatic zero.

for example kelsmom's link sys:

Families may find the question about federal benefit programs a little confusing. The Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) is not the same as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The acronyms may be similar, but the programs are not the same. Do not answer yes to the questions about SSI if you are receiving SSDI.

HOWEVER that info is wrong because SSI is not considered a federal "benefit" by the feds. It (SSI) is considered and managed as a federal "assistance" program. Unfortunately there seems to be much confusion and little consistency about different federal benefit and assistance programs.