Social Security / SSI

Some people are not able to manage the money they get from Social Security Administration (SSA) due to illness or disability. If so, SSA chooses a relative, friend, or other person to be the representative payee. They are also known as a “rep payee.” More than 8 million people have a rep payee.

The Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is a payment from the government to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment is up to $1,200 for each person.

In 2019, people who get SSI can get more money every month for food! Read below for more information!

OPRABA was created by the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, a bi-partisan bill that was signed into law on April 13, 2018. OPRABA staff are employees of Disability Rights California, not SSA.

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program is a free service that helps Social Security beneficiaries who receive benefits based on a disability make informed choices about their employment goals. This program is for individuals currently employed, self-employed, or who are seeking employment or selfemployment.

This pub tells you about representative payees. Representative payees help you budget and spend your Social Security payments. The pub tells you what they do. The pub tells you who decides you need one. It tells you what to do if they are misusing your money.

Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security calls these employment supports “work incentives.

This publication explains how to report your wages when you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and why reporting your wages is necessary to avoid losing your SSI when you work.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by a SSDI beneficiary who wants to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides employment support/work incentive programs that can be used to assist in your work efforts.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, by a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient, who wants to work.

This pub tells you when you have to report your self-employment or independent contractor earnings to Social Security. It tells you about “work incentives” so you can work and not lose your benefits. It has forms you can use to report your earnings. It tells you how to get help if you have questions about reporting your work.

This pub is for representative payees of people getting Social Security benefits. It talks about the duty to act in the best interest of the person.  A payee has to manage and keep track of the person’s money, and advocate for them.

This pub tells you about “public benefits” for people with disabilities. The pub tells you about Social Security, Medi-Cal, and Medi-Cal for children. It also tells you about IHSS, general assistance, food stamps, and CalWORKs. It tells you what to do if you need help getting them.

This pub tells you about self-employment or having a business. It tells you why this is a good option, and how you can still keep your Social Security. It tells you what kind of businesses you can have. It tells you where to get help if you want to have a business.

This pub tells you about “deeming” rules. This means part of a parent’s income and resources count against their child in deciding SSI eligibility and benefit amount. This pub helps you figure out how SSI counts your income. It gives examples. It tells you how to report your income.

This pub tells you about “deeming” rules between spouses (wives and husbands). This means part of your spouse’s income and resources count against you in deciding your SSI eligibility and benefit amount. This pub helps you figure out how SSI counts your income. It gives examples.

In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) is when someone else pays for or gives you food or shelter. If someone gives you a non-cash item, that you can sell or trade for food or shelter—that is ISM, too. ISM is important because Social Security considers it when figuring your benefit amount. This pub tells you the rules that apply to ISM. It gives examples and tells you where to get help.

This pub tells you about SSI overpayments. An overpayment happens when Social Security sends you more than they should have. This pub tells you what causes the overpayment. It explains who is responsible to pay them back. It tells you what to do if you are overpaid.