Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

How does an inheritance affect someone in California that is a beneficiary and/or receives assistance from SSI?


Asked on 10/03/10, 1:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Eliz. C. A. Johnson Eliz. C. A. Johnson

It is on the website:

Effects of an inheritance on SSI benefits:

Updated 10/07/2010 04:39 PM | Answer ID96

I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because I am elderly and have no income. My brother recently died and left me the money he had in a savings account. Will this extra money affect my SSI benefits? Will my SSI payments stop?

The money inherited from your brother is considered income for the month you receive it and could make you ineligible for that month, depending on the amount of the inheritance. If you keep the money into the next month, it then becomes a part of your resources. An individual cannot have more than $2,000 in resources to remain eligible. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and report the inheritance. They will tell you how your eligibility will be affected and what you can do to remain eligible.

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Answered on 10/08/10, 2:16 pm


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