Hi there Larry!-----Okay my adult child has been on SSI since he was 18 -he is now 46---- $735 is his normal SSI payment-my ex-husband only gets 1000---which would mean- (I suppose) that my son would get $500-that amount is lower than the $735 he gets now, can you tell me how that works? Also, I will be getting about 2,300 (approx) next year when I am 66-at that point can my son get me ex's 500 and my 1150 at the same time?---------One more thing, under these circumstances, does he get to keep Medicaid? Thank You so so much

Hi,

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based program, and SSI payments are offset essentially dollar for dollar by the receipt of any other type of income. SSI does disregard the first $20 of other income, however, so if your son receives $500 monthly from his father's record, his monthly SSI payment will likely be reduced by about $480. In other words, his total income will likely increase by $20, or to about $755 per month.

If your son becomes eligible for $1150 per month from your record, his SSI will be offset to zero. He couldn't receive disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits from both your record and his father's record, just the higher of the 2 benefit rates.

Medicaid is also a needs based program, but the eligibility requirements vary by State of residence. I don't know if your son's Medicaid eligibility will continue if and when he qualifies for DAC benefits on your record. He would, however, qualify for Medicare after 24 months of entitlement to DAC benefits.

Best, Jerry