If you live with a spouse or parent, their income may affect your SSI payment through "deeming." Understanding how this works helps you plan and avoid surprises.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What deemed income is
- Spousal deeming
- Parental deeming
- Calculations and exclusions
1. What Deemed Income Is
Definition: Deeming is when SSA counts part of someone else's income as if it were yours for SSI purposes.
Why it exists:
- SSI is need-based
- Family should support you first
- Shared household resources
- Reduces SSI accordingly
Who is affected:
- SSI recipients living with spouse
- SSI children living with parents
- Not just your income matters
- Household income counts
When it applies:
- Living together
- Specific relationships only
- Spouse or parent
- Not roommates or other relatives
2. Spousal Deeming
When it applies:
- You're on SSI
- Living with your spouse
- Spouse not on SSI
- Their income counts toward you
Basic process:
- Start with spouse's total income
- Subtract certain exclusions
- Subtract allocation for spouse's living expenses
- Remaining is "deemed" to you
- Reduces your SSI
Exclusions from spouse's income:
- $65 of earned income (plus $20)
- Work expenses
- Income used for certain purposes
- Some types of income excluded
Allocation for spouse:
- Amount set aside for spouse's own needs
- Based on FBR difference
- Remainder is deemed to you
- Protects some of spouse's income
Important: Only income above spouse's own needs is deemed to you. Not their entire income.
3. Parental Deeming
When it applies:
- Child under 18 on SSI
- Living with parent(s)
- Parent not on SSI
- Their income counts toward child
Basic process:
- Parents' total income
- Subtract exclusions
- Subtract allocation for parents
- Subtract allocation for other children
- Remainder deemed to child
Allocations:
- Amount for parents' needs
- Amount for each non-SSI child
- Protects family's basic needs
- Only excess is deemed
When it ends:
- Child turns 18
- Moves out of parents' home
- Parental rights terminated
- Different living arrangements
4. Calculations and Exclusions
Income exclusions (not deemed):
- SNAP benefits
- Housing assistance
- Need-based assistance
- Some other specific types
For earned income:
- $65 plus $20 general exclusion
- For the person whose income is deemed
- Reduces countable amount
- Then deeming calculated
Example (spousal deeming):
- Spouse earns $2,000/month
- Minus $65 + $20 = $1,915
- Minus allocation (~$967) = $948
- $948 deemed to SSI spouse
- SSI reduced by $948
Example (parental deeming):
- Parents earn $3,000/month combined
- After exclusions: $2,915
- Parent allocation: $1,450
- Remaining: $1,465
- Allocation for non-SSI child: $484
- Deemed to SSI child: $981
These are simplified examples:
- Actual calculations more complex
- Many variables
- Contact SSA for your specific situation
- Or use benefits calculator
Reducing Deeming Impact
What you can do:
- Understand the calculation
- Maximize exclusions
- Document all deductions
- Report accurately
Cannot avoid:
- Living with spouse/parent
- Deeming applies if you do
- Only way to avoid is separate households
- Consider costs vs. benefits
ABLE accounts:
- Contributions don't count as income
- May help with family planning
- Won't affect deeming directly
- But helps with resources
What Doesn't Count as Deeming
Not subject to deeming:
- Roommate's income
- Sibling's income (if adults)
- Other relatives
- Friends you live with
These count differently:
- May be In-Kind Support instead
- Different calculation
- Not "deeming" per se
- Still affects SSI possibly
How Purple Helps
- See all income clearly
- Understand your payments
- Track changes
- Plan around deeming
- Simple financial management