Does SSI count cemetery plots as resources for eligibility? Worried about limits
I'm helping my uncle apply for SSI and we're confused about what counts as a resource. He owns a cemetery plot that he purchased years ago (thinking ahead I guess). The plot cost about $4,500 back then and is probably worth more now. Will SSA count this against his $2,000 resource limit? He's really struggling financially and I'm worried this might disqualify him. He also has about $1,700 in savings and an old car worth maybe $3,000. Does anyone know if cemetery plots are exempt? The SSA website is so confusing about what counts and what doesn't.
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Kennedy Morrison
Good news! Cemetery plots are NOT counted as a resource for SSI eligibility purposes. The SSA specifically excludes burial spaces that are held for the use of the individual, their spouse, or any member of their immediate family. This includes burial plots, crypts, mausoleums, urns, etc. So your uncle's cemetery plot won't affect his eligibility at all.
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Lily Young
•Thank you so much for the clear answer! That's a huge relief. Do you know if there's any limit to how many burial plots can be excluded? My uncle actually has two plots side by side (one for himself and one that was supposed to be for my aunt before she passed).
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Wesley Hallow
The car might be an issue tho!! SSI only lets you have ONE car and it has to be for essential transportation. If the car is worth more than like $4000 they count it against u. At least thats what happened with my mom's application last year. They made her sell her second car.
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Kennedy Morrison
•There's actually been a change in SSI vehicle policies. One vehicle is completely excluded regardless of value if it's used for transportation for the individual or a member of their household. The $4,000 limit only applies to additional vehicles. So the uncle's single car worth $3,000 won't count against the resource limit at all.
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Justin Chang
my grandmother had THREE burial plots when she got SSI and they didnt count any of them. but they did make her sell some jewelry that was worth too much. the rules are super weird about what counts and what doesn't
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Lily Young
•That's good to know about multiple plots! I guess they're pretty flexible about burial arrangements. You're right that the rules seem really arbitrary sometimes.
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Grace Thomas
Just to confirm what others have said - burial spaces held for the individual or their immediate family members are EXCLUDED from countable resources. This is covered in the SSI POMS manual section SI 01130.400. Your uncle's cemetery plot won't count toward his $2,000 resource limit. However, keep in mind that any money specifically set aside for burial expenses (like a burial fund) has a separate exclusion of up to $1,500, so that's something different altogether.
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Wesley Hallow
•whats POMS? is that where all the secret rules are hidden?? I swear every time I talk to SSA they tell me something different!!
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Hunter Brighton
I went through this exact issue with my brother's SSI application. Multiple plots are fine - they don't count ANY burial spaces against you. But watch out for the savings though. If it goes over $2,000 even by $1, they'll deny benefits or stop them if he's already getting them. My brother got in trouble because his account went to $2,043 when he got a small refund he wasn't expecting, and they suspended his benefits! Had to spend it down and reapply. The whole system is RIDICULOUS.
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Lily Young
•Wow, that's really strict! I'll definitely make sure my uncle keeps his account below $2,000. Maybe we should set up some kind of automatic alert when it gets close to the limit? I hate that they make this so stressful for people who are already struggling.
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Dylan Baskin
Just wondering this too. My husband has his parents burial plots too. So he actually has 4 plots! Good to know they dont count them.
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Lauren Wood
Has anyone here tried calling the SSA directly about resource questions? I spent 3 hours on hold last week trying to get a straight answer about my mom's life insurance policy and never got through. So frustrating!
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Grace Thomas
•I've had good luck using Claimyr to get through to SSA without the horrible wait times. I was skeptical at first, but it worked great - they call SSA and then call you when they reach a representative. Saved me hours of waiting on hold. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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