The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program has many complicated financial eligibility rules, including the treatment of resources or assets. Applicants and recipients cannot simply give away countable assets to gain eligibility for SSI. Similarly, they cannot decline assets that they are entitled to receive, such as inheritances, to establish or maintain their eligibility. An SSI applicant or recipient who transfers an asset for less than fair market value or declines to receive an asset could be subject to the transfer of asset penalty, becoming ineligible for SSI benefits for up to 36 months. Unfortunately, transfer of asset cases are not always easy to recognize as such and are often difficult to resolve.
In this advanced webcast, presenters will explore hypothetical examples to help participants better recognize and understand the transfer penalty. Presenters will also use these hypotheticals to discuss ways to minimize the penalty or avoid it, by covering the little-known exceptions to the rule.
This advanced training builds on previous NCLER trainings, which can be found here: ncler.acl.gov/Legal-Training/Legal-Training-Econ_Security
Presenters:
• Kate Lang, Senior Attorney, Justice in Aging
• John Whitelaw, Advocacy Director at Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
