Legal Question in Social Security Law in Pennsylvania

I am not sure what area of law this needs to be addressed to but my question is as follows:

I have a friend who is currently collecting social security as they were diagnosed with biploar disorder when they were younger and they've been in and out of the hospital pretty much at least once a year, so they are unable to keep a steady job and working adds stress that doesn't help any with the disorder. They are currently collecting their own social security and also social security from their father, who passed away a few years ago, and he also was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The father set up a trust fund for when his kids turned 28 to get a set amount of money. My friend is just a few months from reaching 28 years of age. My friend is wondering if when they recieve the money he assigned to them, will Social Security take away social security from them and will social security force them to pay back any money that they provided since they got money from a trust? I hope my question is clear - I would be happy to provide as much details as possible to make it clearer so I can get a good answer for my friend.


Asked on 5/22/10, 9:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terence Sean McGraw Warren & McGraw, LLC

It sounds like your friend is colecting supplemental security income benefits, rather than social security disability benefits. If that is the case, SSI benefits are needs based and the receipt of earned and unearned income can disqaulify your friend from receiving benefits. Your fried should consut with a social security attorney as soon as possible for further advice.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 1:46 pm


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