Will cryptocurrency windfall end my SSI and Medicare/Medicaid at age 69 with lung disease?

This is definitely a complicated situation. First, you need to understand that cryptocurrency is considered a resource/asset by SSA, and the SSI resource limit is only $2,000 for individuals. Once you receive the crypto, you'll be over the resource limit and will lose SSI eligibility. Regarding Medicare - if you're 69, you should already be on Medicare due to age (not disability). Medicare should continue regardless of your SSI status. However, the Medicaid supplement that helps with Medicare premiums and copays (probably a Medicare Savings Program) will be affected by your new resources. You should speak with a benefits counselor or elder law attorney ASAP. There may be options like spending down assets or establishing a Special Needs Trust that could help preserve some of your benefits.

this happened to my uncle!!!! he got a big insurance settlement and lost his medicaid right away, couldnt even keep his same doctors. took like 6 months to get it all sorted out and cost him like $20k in medical bills before he got on a medicare advantage plan. u should cash out some of that crypto ASAP and get a lawyer who specializes in this stuff. the ssa people wont help u with this, they'll just cut ur benefits

You're in a tricky situation but there are some options. Since you mention your condition gives you 3-5 years, you need to carefully plan how to handle this asset. 1. You MUST report the crypto within 10 days to SSA as it's a countable resource. Failure to report could result in penalties/paybacks. 2. For Medicare: At 69, you'll keep Medicare regardless of SSI status. But you'll likely lose your Medicaid if your assets exceed the limit. 3. Options to consider: - Spend down: Use funds for exempt purposes (home modifications, medical equipment, prepaid funeral, etc.) - Special Needs Trust: These take time to set up but can protect assets while maintaining benefits - ABLE account: If your disability began before age 26 (probably not applicable) 4. Most importantly: Get professional help immediately from an elder law attorney familiar with asset protection and benefits planning. The consultation fee will be worth avoiding mistakes.

I was in a similar situation two years ago when I got an inheritance. Lost my SSI immediately. The worst part was dealing with Social Security's phone system - I tried for WEEKS to reach someone to discuss my options and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through, they connected me with their local office's benefits counselor who explained my options. Definitely worth it because I needed answers fast before making irreversible decisions about my benefits. Good luck with your situation!

CONVERT THE CRYPTO TO CASH IMMEDIATELY!!! The SSA has NO IDEA about crypto unless you tell them. My cousin had this EXACT situation and he just kept quiet about it and nothing happened. These government agencies don't know anything about blockchain or wallets. Just saying... sometimes the "right" thing isn't the smart thing. They've probably underpaid you for years anyway!!!!

Just wanted to mention - make sure you understand the tax implications of your crypto as well! When you convert crypto to cash it's a taxable event and depending on how long your nephew held it and what he paid, you could owe significant capital gains tax on top of everything else. The IRS and SSA don't directly share all information but both will eventually know about large financial changes.

My aunt with COPD had to transition from Medicaid to just Medicare last year and she found a really good Medicare Advantage plan that covers most of her respiratory treatments and oxygen supplies. Not saying it's ideal but there are options if you do lose Medicaid. Also her social worker at the hospital helped a lot with finding patient assistance programs for her medications - have you talked to your hospital's social work department?

Here's what I recommend based on your follow-up comments: 1. Yes, paying for legal consultation is a legitimate expense and wouldn't count against you for spend-down purposes. 2. Look into Qualified Income Trusts (QITs) or Miller Trusts as well - they can help with income limit issues. 3. For your immediate needs, don't convert all the crypto at once. Work with an attorney first to establish the proper structures. 4. Since you mentioned a 3-5 year timeline, you might want to explore how to balance maintaining some benefits while using the crypto to supplement your care and improve quality of life. 5. Medicare Part D Extra Help program might be an option to help with prescription costs even if you lose full Medicaid. Remember that timing and sequence of actions is critical with asset transfers and benefit eligibility.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation on top of your health challenges. As someone who works with seniors navigating benefit transitions, I wanted to add a few important points that might help: First, consider reaching out to your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor - they provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling and can help you understand exactly what coverage options you'll have if you lose Medicaid. They're experts at navigating these complex situations. Second, when you do speak with an attorney, ask specifically about "asset protection planning" for individuals with chronic conditions. Some attorneys specialize in this and can help structure things to maximize your quality of life while preserving as many benefits as possible. Third, document everything about your current treatments and medications now, including costs. This will help you and your attorney understand exactly what you need to maintain and plan accordingly. Finally, if you do need to transition off some benefits, don't wait until the last minute. Start the process of researching Medicare Advantage plans or Medigap policies while you still have time to make informed decisions rather than rushed ones. You're being smart by seeking advice before making any moves. Hang in there - there are people who can help you navigate this.

I'm sorry you're facing such a difficult situation with your health and this unexpected inheritance. From what I understand, you have a few key issues to address quickly: **Immediate Steps:** 1. Don't convert the crypto to cash yet - wait for professional guidance first 2. Contact your state's SHIP program (as Emma mentioned) for free Medicare counseling 3. Find an elder law attorney who specializes in asset protection for people with disabilities **Important Timing Considerations:** - You have 10 days to report the crypto to SSA once you officially receive it - If the crypto is still in your nephew's wallet/account, you may have some time before it's legally considered "received" - The exact timing of when inheritance is considered "received" can be complex with crypto **Potential Strategies to Explore with an Attorney:** - Special Needs Trust (though these take time to establish) - Spend-down options for medical equipment, home modifications, prepaid funeral - Converting part of the crypto to pay for legal counsel (this is legitimate) **Benefits You Should Keep:** - Medicare will continue regardless of SSI status since you're 69 - Look into Medicare Part D Extra Help for prescription costs - Research Medicare Advantage plans as backup options Don't panic - while this is complicated, there are legal ways to handle it. The key is getting professional help before making any irreversible decisions. Your health and peace of mind are the priority here.

I'm really glad to see you're getting such helpful advice here! As someone who went through a similar benefits transition when my disability status changed, I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful. Your state likely has a Disability Benefits 101 website (just search "[your state] DB101") that has calculators and tools to help you understand exactly how different asset levels will affect your specific benefits. It's run by the University of New Hampshire and has state-specific information. Also, when you do speak with the SHIP counselor, ask them about "Medicare Savings Programs" - even if you lose full Medicaid, you might still qualify for programs that help with Medicare premiums and deductibles if your income stays low enough (the asset limits are higher for these programs than for SSI). One last thought - since you mentioned your nephew was "big into tech," there might be tax advantages to how the crypto is structured that could help minimize the taxable event when you do convert it. Definitely mention this to whatever attorney you consult with. You're handling this exactly right by gathering information first. Wishing you the best outcome for both your health and your financial security.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might be relevant to your situation. Since you mentioned having a progressive lung disease and limited time, you should also look into whether your state has any "medically needy" Medicaid programs. These allow people with higher assets to still qualify for Medicaid by "spending down" their excess resources on medical expenses each month. Given your condition and high medical costs, this could potentially allow you to keep some of the crypto while still maintaining Medicaid coverage. The spend-down amount would be based on your income and medical expenses, and since you have significant ongoing treatment costs, this might work in your favor. Also, don't forget that if you do lose SSI, you'll need to notify Medicare about the change since it affects your Part B premium (you might lose the automatic Part B premium payment that comes with SSI). But as others mentioned, your Medicare coverage itself will continue. One more thing - if you haven't already, consider getting a detailed written treatment plan from your pulmonologist that outlines your expected care needs and costs over the next few years. This documentation could be valuable when working with your attorney to structure the best approach for your situation. You're clearly approaching this thoughtfully and I hope you find a solution that provides both financial security and peace of mind during this difficult time.

I wanted to share something that might help with your immediate anxiety about this situation. When I was helping my father navigate a similar benefits crisis a few years ago, one thing that really helped was creating what we called a "transition timeline" with his attorney. Basically, they mapped out the optimal sequence of actions over several weeks/months rather than trying to figure everything out at once. For example: Week 1 - consult with SHIP and gather documentation, Week 2 - meet with elder law attorney, Week 3 - begin setting up any trusts or legal structures, etc. This approach helped because benefits changes don't all happen instantly - there are usually grace periods, appeal rights, and transition processes that can buy you time if you know how to use them properly. Your attorney can help you understand exactly what deadlines are hard vs. which ones have some flexibility. Also, given your health situation, make sure to ask about "expedited processing" for any applications or appeals. Many programs have provisions for people with serious medical conditions that can speed things up considerably. The fact that you're being so proactive about this puts you in a much better position than people who wait until after they've already lost benefits to figure out their options. You've got this - just take it one step at a time.

I just wanted to say how heartwarming it is to see this community come together to help Isabella with such a complex situation. As someone who has worked with seniors facing similar benefits challenges, I can tell you that the advice shared here has been absolutely spot-on. A few additional thoughts that might help as you move forward: 1. **Documentation is everything** - Keep detailed records of every conversation you have with SSA, SHIP counselors, attorneys, etc. Include dates, names, and what was discussed. This creates a paper trail that can be invaluable if you need to appeal any decisions later. 2. **Consider the emotional aspect** - Managing a chronic illness while navigating complex bureaucracy is exhausting. Don't hesitate to ask a trusted friend or family member to help you with calls and appointments, or even just to take notes during important meetings. 3. **Timeline flexibility** - While the 10-day reporting requirement is real, remember that "receipt" of inherited crypto can be complicated legally. The fact that it hasn't been transferred to your wallet yet gives you some breathing room to get proper advice first. 4. **Quality of life focus** - Whatever path you choose, make sure it allows you to maintain dignity and comfort during your remaining years. Sometimes the "optimal" financial strategy isn't worth it if it creates too much stress or compromises your care. You're handling this with remarkable grace under very difficult circumstances. The fact that you're seeking advice before acting shows real wisdom. Wishing you the best possible outcome in both your health journey and financial planning.

Reading through this entire thread has been both educational and inspiring. Isabella, I'm so impressed by how you've handled everyone's advice and transformed what started as a panic into a clear action plan. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful: many hospitals and medical centers have financial counselors who specialize in helping patients navigate insurance transitions. Since you mentioned having frequent treatments and specialist visits, your medical team might have someone on staff who has dealt with similar situations before. They often know about local programs and resources that even attorneys might not be aware of. Also, when you do meet with an elder law attorney, consider asking if they offer payment plans or if they'd accept payment from the crypto conversion as part of your legal spend-down strategy. Some attorneys who specialize in benefits law understand that their clients are often in tight financial situations and can be flexible about payment arrangements. One last thought - you mentioned your nephew was "big into tech." If he kept detailed records of his crypto purchases and transactions, that documentation could be incredibly valuable for tax purposes when you do convert any of it. It might be worth asking the executor if those records are available. You've got such a solid plan now with SHIP counseling, elder law consultation, medical documentation, and all the various programs people have mentioned. Your thoughtful approach to this challenging situation is really admirable. Best of luck with everything!

Isabella, I've been following your journey through this thread and I'm so glad to see how you've transformed what started as overwhelming panic into a structured action plan. Your methodical approach to gathering information before making decisions is exactly the right way to handle something this complex. I wanted to add one practical tip that might help during your upcoming consultations: prepare a one-page summary of your situation including your current benefits, medical conditions, treatment costs, and the inheritance details. Having this written summary will help you communicate efficiently with SHIP counselors, attorneys, and other professionals, and ensures you don't forget important details when you're feeling anxious during appointments. Also, since you mentioned your neighbor might help with appointments, consider giving her a copy of this summary too. Sometimes having an advocate who can ask follow-up questions or clarify things you might miss can be incredibly valuable. Your proactive approach and willingness to seek proper guidance gives me confidence that you'll find a path that preserves your health coverage while allowing you to benefit from your nephew's generous legacy. The fact that you're prioritizing doing things legally and ethically, despite the complexity, speaks volumes about your character. Keep us updated on how things progress - this community clearly cares about your wellbeing and your experience could help others facing similar challenges in the future.