Saving on SSI

Ok

Save whatever you can whenever you can ! Every bodies different so just do what you can. Any amount is a start and once you learn your budget and can stick to it ,then increase your savings .

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I like the $1 a day.

The $1 a day sounds great for first part of the month.. It's the 2nd half that gets so hard. My husband gets 794 in SSI . That last week don't even have gas to go any where.

Every little bit adds up

Become homeless. Get up some outdoor skills, and learn how to cook over a fire. Believe it or not, it's possible to get all the essentials for $100. There's a learning curve, but it's not as steep as you'd think. Only way I know to save on such a limited income.

I love all the new ideas to save on here.

Research your local Health & Human Services Dept. Thru them, low income people can apply for many types of assistance, to help in time of need, possibly including (but not limited to) thw following (depending on where you live): Electric bill assistance, gas bill assistance, water/sewage/trash bill assistance, free home weatherization…Alao, help to apply for food stamps/Medicare Assistance &/or Medicaid, as well as free job research & training. Wirh Healthcare.gov a non-medically insured person may apply for Medicaid. Thru Feeding America, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities & other similar organizations, you could get free food, clothing, household goods, etc… There are usually local, neighborhood defined organizations that could help with food, bill payments, clothing, etc… The SPCA, local city Animal Shelter & similar organizations would offer free/no cost vaccinations, food & free basic medical care for your pets. There's usually an option to apply for & get a LifeLine free cell phone or basic internet ,1 per houshold. The local libraries not only offer free books, they usually have movies, music, digital options, events & sometimes even more than that! Your local YMCA offer low cost gym access for low income, simply fill out a financial aid application. Also, no matter if you've got health insurance or not…if you've got any type of medical bill, ask the provider if they offer financial assistance. If the do, fill it out & you could have bills written off. With low to no income, if you don't have dental insurance, there's usually local dentists that offer free to low cost services on a sliding scale fee, just fill out a financial aid application. A lot of sites like OfferUp, Craigslist, etc…often have ads for a multitude of free items. Save your aluminum cans & most other metals, because you can sell that metal at a metal recycling scrap yard. Some cities &/or states even offer $ for bringing in recycled cardboard or bottle returns. Sell plasma…your local plasma center needs donations & will pay you to give them your plasma, 1hr of your time ,1-2 x's/week. Don't have prescription coverage? Script discount cards/apps like GoodRx could help. But also most medicine manufacturing companies offer discounts on meds they make, if you request & fill out assistance application. There are local government facilities & sometimes private, that you could get no to low cost mental help. Again, ask arouy, request apps & fill them out. There's government programs to help unemployed people get back to work, they will pay for continuing education or training. FAFSA & grants.gov could help you to go to college for little to no cost. There are clinical research studies everywhere, you could sign up & get paid to partake…
All of this is aside from Social Security, Disability or Unemployment… which could also be options… This post doesn't even scratch the surface on the help or assistance that is out there, but I hope it gets your brain going in that direction & helps!

I CONTINUE TO LEARN HOW TO SAVE THE LITTLE BIT OF MONEY ON A FIXED INCOME.

I also save on my fixed income. At my age I need less. I've never been a consumer so it's easier for me. Good luck to all.

That is a good idea

My husband and I get a total of $2013 on SSDI. It's enough to live on, pay several life insurance policies and invest $120 a month in ACORNS and FUNDRISE but, I want to expand outward with my investments and have play money for small investment stocks. I also have some people who are waiting on Social Security decisions that need help.

A couple ways I've found to earn money is to donate plasma and do gig work. I'm a secret shopper for a few dozen companies, which can bring in an extra $300-$400. And, the plasma centers have promos right now, because of covid, and many are paying UP TO $1000 a month; up from $200-$400. Pay is usually based on your weight and, you have to donate twice a week to get the full amount. The money isn't the same amount with each donation, they break it up to incentivize you to return. (NOTE: Federal law prevents you from donating more frequently than twice a week.)

You have to check to make sure you can donate, if you have medical conditions or take any medications, vitamins, got a tattoo with thee past 12 months, etc. You may have to get a doctors letter and give time for medicine or supplements to leave your system. You also need to be well hydrated , and have good iron and protein levels when you donate (they test onsite). So, drink 1/2 gallon of WATER and,eat 80 grams of protein (no powders) the day before and, make sure you're eating a lot of meats and black, purple, blue, red and green produce for iron. Orange and yellow foods have a little iron but, not much. Eat a high protein and iron meal and, drink at least 20 oz of WATER 3 hours before you donate. Then, make sure you wont need to go to the bathroom for the next 1-3 hours (1st timers can be 2-3 hours), while you're getting your blood cycled through the machine and having your red cells sent back into your body (plasma removed. Its not exhausting). If you have to stop, they can't hook you back up an you make not get paid. Make sure you feel well an are well rested. Feeling drowsy or taking a nap could be seen as you being ill and you won't be allowed to donate.

Some important things to note:
Restrictions concerning plasma donations are for your and the recipients safety. If you have certain conditions, they can harm you and/or the recipient and, certain $@!#% and supplements can harm recipients.

Donation sites that pay for your blood are doing it for research to create new medications and therapies. Test subjects are usually ill and more vulnerable to the things that are restricted.

Plasma donation sites usually pay you on a reloadable debit card they issue you. Once you have received between $500-$600 a year, they are required to report it to the IRS. Check the donor clinic for compensation, taxation and eligibility information.

Most mystery shopper (and many other types of gig jobs) require you to have a paypal account to receive your pay. A fee is WHAT YOU EARN, not what you pay. Expenses are normally reimbursed when you receive your fee, up to the amount you agreed to when you applied for the shop, (job). Anything over the amount listed in the job information and, transportation expenses, (unless otherwise specified), are your responsibility, (and tax deductible so, save receipts).

If you are a gig worker YOU ARE A BUSINESS. You're an independent contractor who is self-employed. Job boards and their clients are your clients, (you don't work for them). Keep your clients happy at all costs, within the law. As a business, there are oodles of business and work related deductibles you can claim if you opt to itemize. The itemization may come to a greater deduction than if you don't. You may also qualify for some credits. Check with your CPA.

It is beneficial to get an employer identification number. If your work decreases and you need unemployment assistance, you need someone to help you get around, fill out your reports or, to accompany you on certain jobs that require you to bring a guest. You can apply for one for free on the irs site.

ALL INCOME IS TAXABLE (taxes on gifts above a certain amount are paid by the giver, not the recipient). As a rule of thumb, any gig agency, donation site or any other place you receive $500-$600+, a year from, is required to report the amount they paid you to the IRS. It's your responsibility to report anything lower than that. The IRS requires you to pay taxes periodically throughout the year. LOANS AND GRANTS ARE NOT INCOME THOUGH CERTAIN ITEMS, SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE YOU RECEIVE FOR FREE, MAY BE CONSIDERED AS A FORM OF INCOME BUT, THERE ARE RULES THAT MAY MAKE THE VALUE OF THOSE, DEDUCTIBLE

SSI AND SSDI.
There are special (and different) rules for ssi and ssdi, concerning income. Whereas the IRS considers plasma donation as earned income (filed under other/miscellaneous on your tax form) the SSA considers it unearned (passive) income. Unfortunately, ssi is linked to the welfare system and all forms of income that doesn't come from the government (and possibly, registered charities) counts against your benefit, even when its not considered substantial gainful activity. You wont lose your benefit because you are considered "able to earn" but, it will decrease your benefit each month you receive a payment. However, you are allowed to receive income to increase your monthly finances. There are rules as to how much you can receive before you don't receive your check for a month. Check with the SSA for more information about allowable income for ssi recipients.

Unearned income doesn't generally count against ssdi benefits. Plasma donation, investments, lottery winnings won't affect your benefits or eligibility. Gig work IS EARNED INCOME.

If you are in the ticket to work program, you can safely earn $940 each month, (2021 income), over the 60 month test period, (keep it lower if you don't want to risk losing your benefits at the end of 60 months). Within that 60 month period, you can earn up to $1310 for any 9 months. Once you earn that amount for 9 months, you have earned substantial gainful activity and may lose your benefits. They don't have to be consecutive months so, keep it down to 8 months if you aren't ready to give up your benefits just yet. There are special rules that extend the period you can work and not permanently lose your benefits and medicare. Check with the SSA for more information about allowable income for ssdi recipients.

When you receive taxable income, while receiving social security payments, you must also report half of your social security as taxable income when filing your taxes.

This is really important information

Saving is so important and every little bit helps!

ssihard to do

This is necessary information

I have no income & I have filed for disability