How much time do I have after receiving inheritance on SSI do I have to spend the inheritance on a home?

Hi. To clarify for other readers, an inheritance wouldn't affect Social Security benefits but could affect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. SSI is a needs based benefit administered by the Social Security Administration.

I have a degree of knowledge of SSI regulations, but my expertise is actually limited to Social Security benefits. The manner in which an inheritance could affect SSI benefits is complex, and depends on the nature of what is inherited (e.g. cash vs. non-cash property). If it's cash, for example, it would count as income in the month of receipt, which could make you ineligible for SSI benefits for that month (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830550).. And, if the cash was retained it would count as a resource starting with the month after the month it was received.

The resource limit for SSI is $2,000, excluding the value of a home in which you live and one motor vehicle. If an inheritance causes your countable resources to exceed the $2,000 limit, then as far as I know you'd be ineligible for SSI until your countable resources are reduced to below the limit. Using the proceeds of an inheritance to purchase a home could potentially reduce the amount of your countable resources, but I'm not aware of any grace period during which you'd remain eligible for SSI payments after receiving an inheritance that puts your countable resources over the $2000 limit.

That said, SSI has very complicated program rules that can vary depending on the state in which you live, and as I explained I'm not an expert on the SSI program. If you're receiving SSI and you receive an inheritance, you'll need to notify Social Security of the inheritance. And, while doing so you can ask Social Security any questions that you have regarding your options with regard to SSI.

Best, Jerry