Putting It All Together: A Case Example (Visit this link)
The following example shows how you can earn income and deduct allowable expenses to keep and/or increase your SSI payment.
A. Dennis Gets a Job
Dennis Hunt has AIDS. He receives Medicaid and his only income is a monthly SSI payment of $943. He was ready to work part time and was offered a job at a local restaurant where he earned $275 per month. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was:
| Gross Monthly Earnings | $ 275 |
| General Income Exclusion | - $ 20 |
| Earned Income Exclusion | - $ 65 |
| Adjusted Earned Income | = $ 190 |
| Divided by 2 | 190/2= $ 95 |
| Countable Income | = $ 95 |
| Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) | $ 943 |
| Minus Countable Income | - $ 95 |
| New SSI Payment | = $ 848 |
| Plus Gross Monthly Earnings | + $ 275 |
| New Total Monthly Earnings | = $ 1,123 |
B. Dennis Gets a Raise
After 18 months, Dennis got a raise and worked more hours, so his monthly income increased to $367.He also paid $52 per month for medical expenses that counted as an IRWE. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was:
| Gross Monthly Earnings | $ 367 |
| General Income Exclusion | - $ 20 |
| Earned Income Exclusion | - $ 65 |
| Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) | - $ 52 |
| Adjusted Earned Income | = $ 230 |
| Divided by 2 | 230/2= $ 115 |
| Countable Income | = $ 115 |
| Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) | $ 943 |
| Minus Countable Income | - $ 115 |
| New SSI Payment | = $ 828 |
| Plus Gross Monthly Earnings | + $ 367 |
| New Total Monthly Earnings | = $ 1,195 |
C. Dennis Goes to School
Dennis then decided that he wanted to get a degree in graphic design. With the help of his case manager, Dennis wrote a PASS that described his work goal and his plans to save $70 each month for tuition. The effect on his monthly benefit and total income was as follows:
| Gross Monthly Earnings | $ 367 |
| General Income Exclusion | - $ 20 |
| Earned Income Exclusion | - $ 65 |
| Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) | - $ 52 |
| PASS | - $ 70 |
| Adjusted Earned Income | = $ 160 |
| Divided by 2 | 160/2= $ 80 |
| Countable Income | = $ 80 |
| Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) | $ 943 |
| Minus Countable Income | - $ 80 |
| New SSI Payment | = $ 863 |
| Plus Gross Monthly Earnings | + $ 367 |
| New Total Monthly Earnings | = $ 1,230 |
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