Social Security

What happens to my SSI benefits if I go into a nursing home or hospital?

Generally, if you enter a nursing home or hospital (or other medical facility) where Medicaid pays for more than half of the cost of your care, your supplemental security income (SSI) benefit is limited to $30 a month. Some States supplement this $30 benefit. We may lower the $30 benefit by any income you may have.

If you are age 18 or over and live in a public medical facility where Medicaid is not paying for more than half of the cost of your care, you are not eligible for any SSI benefit.

Generally, if a child under age 18 enters a nursing home, hospital or other medical facility where Medicaid or private health insurance, either alone or a combination pays for more than half of the cost of care, the child's SSI benefit is limited to $30 a month (plus any supplementary State payment). We may reduce the SSI benefit by any income the child may have.

If a child under age 18 lives in a public facility where neither Medicaid nor private health insurance, either alone or in combination, is paying for more than half of the cost of care, the child is not be eligible for any SSI benefit.

What if I will be in the facility for a short time?

A special rule applies if you will be in the medical facility for 90 days or less. If you give us certain information, you may continue to receive your regular SSI benefit for up to 3 full months.

What information do I need?

	A doctor must state in writing that you will be in the medical facility for 90 consecutive days or less.
	We also need a statement from you or someone knowledgeable about your circumstances that you need your SSI benefits to maintain your home or living arrangement while you are in the facility.

We need these statements as soon as possible after you enter the facility. They must be submitted before you leave or by the 90th day you are there, whichever is earlier.

We often work with admissions offices so that the information we need is available quickly. Your admissions office can help you and your family contact us.