I receive around 400$ per month in SSI. I used to receive over 900$ per month when I lived in California. When I moved here to Oregon, I went in to SS office here and reported my change of address to Oregon. They told me benefits would be reduced to 400$ because all I would be receiving would be the federal amount of 400.
I learned that the rest of that 900$ was actually STATE supplemental income, and Oregon doesn't have that. I know that California and the rest of the country for that matter is in an economic crisis/meltdown, and California is also bankrupt.
My question is this: I am planning on visiting and staying with a friend/living with them for a while in California and am wondering if I should report this as my new address and if this will change amount of SSI I receive since I will be in California again? Or should I just not consider it a permanent move and don't notify SS?
I am wondering what to do here...
Thanks for any help!
SSI recipient and reporting interstate move
You may want to contact Social Security directly for their view on this.
If your time in California is quite short, you may not need to report California as a new address.
Social Security states that "You must report any change in living arrangement within 10 days after the month the change occurs." So if you're simply visiting California within a single calendar month, you may not need to report your California address.
However, in general the SSA seems to be strict and they would like to receive a report of your move or change in living conditions (ex. living with friends or relatives).
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/94/
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11011.html