Originally Posted by rlj1959

I never said anything about they should change their limit and no I don't believe that everyone should be paid public assistance benefits without limits. I don't agree with it just like I don't agree with most of the rules set by the SSA whether it's in Florida or Alabama or any other state. I don't know anything at all about SSI; I only know what my mother told me. I was only stating my mom's situation with the kids in this post. Florida doesn’t go by one person’s income either. My mother gets SSDI and she is over 65, I have no idea how much she gets every month but Florida doesn’t go by her income alone. They add up the total income in the entire house hold and go by that. Even though most of that income is the children’s survivors benefits from their dad. My point is that the SSA rules and limits make life hard for my mother, me and most everybody else that is disabled. I know that I can't change their rules and I know that are not going to bend the rules for anyone. I still don't have to agree with or like their rules. As for the kids helping my mother, both the girls are still in school but they do most all the house work because my mother can't walk. The nephew has searched for a job since he got out of school. Jobs in north west Florida are like chicken teeth, very few and far between. Especially for a 19 year old boy with no work experience to speak of. He has worked around my brother's shop helping mechanic but he is by no means a mechanic. I doubt he knows the difference between a ball peen hammer and a torque wrench.

Originally Posted by Janke

For food stamps, the household income matters.

For SSI benefits, it is the individual's income. And SSI is a federal program. The federal benefit of $674 is the same, nationwide. States can add to it if they choose.

When I read your post, you said you didn't like that your mother's household income was over the limit for some kind of household public assistance. I was just pointing out that was the problem with drawing a line - the limit puts some people on one side and some people on the other. Not sure how else it can be done.

Sorry your mom is having such a tough time.

Not sure it would be the right thing for your nephew, but miltary service has helped many young folks learn a skill, grow up, and get an education. Of course, there is always the chance of having to go to war. My neighbor's son is stationed at Eglin AFB in northwest Florida right now, working on ground communications - radio stuff - and is in college. This was after dropping out of high school when he turned 18.