Social Security and Medicare

[bs3070]

Why are we always limited to $2,000.00 in the checking and savings accounts according to the Social Security Administration and Medicare? It is very hard for me to pay bills, food, and other items I need for my medical issues without bumping bills. Not only that since I was discharged from the second Health and rehab center on November 12, 2024, I went home that day. I have had to make arrangements for home health care. This is ongoing now.

I have finished updating my checkbook from June 2024 to Now. I have also gone through all the most current bills and have organized them so that I can have them listed and review when My funds are in the checking account.  Does AARP know of any Financial advisor or an attorney, who could come and talk to me about what else I can do to pay these bills? I have also been threatened with possible foreclosure by my mortgage company, which caused me to pay a large amount of my social security funds.  I made a large payment to the mortgage company on 2/26/2025 for January and February 2025. I also decided to make another payment on March 1, 2025. The mortgage is now up-to-date. It did not leave me any choice as the information package they sent to me was asking me to complete it and return it to them with copies of bills, pay stubs, and the most recent income tax filing that I have.  I have not finished this form as I am having trouble finding three items that have the rest of the information on them.

I am homebound and I have not gotten a ramp yet. So I am not able to get out of bed to go outside in a wheelchair. I am waiting for my Federal Long Term Care to approve my application so I can get additional help that I need, as I am not able to pay for all these modifications and home health assistance I need. It is hard for me to purchase adult incontinence underpads, bed pads, bed chucks, or other medical supplies I need. I can explain more if I could talk to someone, I do not wish to go back to any health and rehabilitation facility as I would surely lose my home and my brother will not have any place to go to either. 

[GailL1]

@bs3070 

I am sorry for what you are going thru but it sounds like you need some help.

Let’s figure out what benefits you are on 1st - 

On the Supplemental Security Income benefit (SSI) is limited to the $2000 a month in your checking account.   SSI is a disability program for the blind, disabled, aged folks that either do not have any Social Security benefits or not enough of them to reach a minimum payment.   It is a different program than Social Security - although it is administered by the Social Security Administration because folks who might be eligible for this benefit go thru the same disability scrutiny as another disabled person who is applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI).  SSI is NOT an earned benefit; IOW, nobody pays into it during their working careers like they do for the Social Security program.  For SSI, you have to be very low on income and assets - you can only own (1) home and (1) car, and like you said any money that you have is limited to $ 2000 a month in any and all financial accounts.  Normally, the amount of your benefit on SSI is around $ 950 a month - no more than that - if you get more in your benefit deposit, then you are probably no on SSI but on SSDI where the amount is what you get from years of work and paying into the system.

So, are you on Supplemental Security Income OR Social Security Disability Income?  That makes a big difference.

Next question - Do you have MEDICARE or MEDICAID?  Sounds like you are on Medicaid since you mentioned the Federal Long Term Care program.

The 1st thing you need to do is contact MEDICAID in your state and let them know of your situation.  If your locality has a dept of aging - contact them to help you get started in figuring out a solution to your problems, hopefully.

Regardless of the benefits program you are on - SSI or SSDI - it sounds like you need a Representative Payee.  A person or institution that is either appointed by the Social Security Administration to handle your benefits - It can be somebody you know if they are able to act on your behalf. 

SSA.gov - Representative Payee 

This will give you more details about a Representative Payee and a phone number to call if you are wanting this help - you can self-refer.

MEDICAID.gov- Contact 

This is the nation Medicaid page - you can look up on this page your state for its contact number - You should be able to find out if you are now on MEDICAID or MEDICARE or both - have any insurance cards or your SS# handy so they can look you up to see what benefits you have, what you might qualify for and where you can get the help you need.

It sounds like you are pretty lost in understanding the  benefits you have and what you might also qualify for due to your condition.  

Seems like your doctor could arrange some type of home care until you get back to normal or until you change your place of living.

I am sorry that is all the general info that I have to give you - you really need some direct face-to-face/hands on  help so I hope your state’s MEDICAID or Dept of Aging can be this for you.