My wife’s 72-year-old brother was “written up” at work recently

[happyslug]

52. $710 in 2013, $721 in 2014

The Federal Government in 1974 set up the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to set up the minimum one can get if you are disabled (you are presumed to be disabled if over 65, through that date is set to go up to 67). The Federal Government will pay $721 in 2014. Your state may supplement that amount, most states do, but by less the $20 a month (Some states supplement is much higher).

A person is entitled to SSI if provided you do not have any assets worth over $2000 dollars plus the house you are living in, household furniture for that house and one car if needed for medical appointments (Most people need a car for that purpose). If you own you home, household goods and car, $721 is enough to live on, but if you have to pay rent, or a car payment (or both), it is no where near enough to survive on.


http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/ssi.htm

Please note, SSI will be reduced by any other income you may get. SSI is designed as a minimum, thus if you have any other source of income, that income is used to reduce the amount of SSI you can get. If your other income exceeds $721, you get no SSI. Unearned income is used to reduce SSI dollar for dollar.

Now, earned income (income from working) is subject to the $30 and a 1/3 rule. You Gross income is reduced by $30. Then 1/3 of the remainder is subtracted from the total. The Remaining money is then used to reduce the amount of SSI you get dollar for dollar.

This is how SSI works with someone working a Minimum Wage Jobs:

If you work $715 a hour for 40 hours per week that is $286 per week, $1172.60 per month.

Less $30, comes to $1142.60.

1/3 of $1142.60 equals $380.87.

$1142.60 less $380.87 leaves $761.73, which is $40.73 more then a person gets on SSI. Thus a person working full time at minimum wage will not get any SSI.