SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY - DID YOU KNOW?
By Margo A. Russell, Paralegal
• that creditors, such as credit card, mortgage or auto loan companies, cannot attach your Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? If a creditor tries to do so, it is a violation of the Social Security laws, and you should take action immediately. The exception is the federal government, which can attach Social Security benefits to enforce child support and alimony obligations or to satisfy unpaid federal taxes.
• that unemployment compensation benefits are not counted under the Social Security annual earnings test and do not affect your receipt of Social Security benefits?
• that if a person is convicted of a crime and spends more than 30 continuous days in jail, SSD and SSI benefits are withheld?
• that a child of low birth weight may qualify for SSI benefits? A child who weighs less than 2,000 grams (about 4 lbs., 6 oz.) at birth may qualify for SSI on the basis of low birth weight. Other criteria may also apply.
