The South Florida Area Director’s Office of the Social Security Administration shared questions received from the public and provided answers to those questions.

Question:

How much will I receive if I qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?

–M. Socarras, Miami

Answer:

The amount of your SSI benefit depends on where you live and how much income you have. The maximum SSI payment varies nationwide. For 2022, the maximum federal SSI payment for an eligible individual is $841 a month and $1,261 a month for an eligible couple. However, many states add money to the basic payment. For more information, go to www.ssa.gov/ssi.

Question:

Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business?

–J. Puerto, Hialeah

Answer:

Yes, you can refuse to disclose your Social Security number, and you should be careful about giving out your number. But, be aware, the person requesting your number can refuse services if you don’t give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that doesn’t violate a federal or state law. To learn more about your Social Security number, visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber.

Question:

I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits?

–A. Martinez, Miami Lakes

Answer:

You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www.ssa.gov/applyonline. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. For your convenience, you can always save your progress during your application and complete it later. We thank you for your military service!

Question:

My aunt became mentally disabled as a result of a car accident. Does Social Security have a special program for people who are obviously physically or mentally disabled?

–C. Garcia, Pembroke Pines

Answer:

Social Security is committed to providing benefits quickly to applicants who are severely disabled. Through our Compassionate Allowances program, we can quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that qualify, based on minimal objective medical information, and that allow us to make payments much sooner than the usual review process allows. Compassionate Allowances is not a separate program from the Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. People who don’t meet the Compassionate Allowances criteria will still have their medical conditions reviewed by Social Security. Learn more about our Compassionate Allowances at www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.

Question:

I know you need to have limited resources to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But what is considered a resource?

–M. Ruiz, Coral Ridge

Answer:

Resources are things you own that you can use for support. They include cash, real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. To be eligible for SSI a person must have no more than $2,000 in countable resources. A married couple must have no more than $3,000 in countable resources. If you own resources over the SSI limit, you may be able to get SSI benefits while trying to sell the resources. Not all of your resources count toward the SSI resource limit. For example:

• The home you live in and the land it’s on do not count.

• Your personal effects and household goods do not count.

• Life insurance policies may not count, depending on their value.

• Your car usually does not count.

• Burial plots for you and members of your immediate family do not count.

• Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for your spouse may not count.

• If you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you plan to use them to work or earn extra income.

You may also wish to read our material on “resources” in the booklet, Understanding SSI at www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm.

For more information, visit the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov. People can also contact the area office in Fort Myers at 888-318-9114 or the national number at 800-772-1213 for assistance.