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Hi everyone,
I wish I had more time to spend on the forums, but I don't, busy busy busy.
My older son, who is disabled, turned 18. We filed for benefits for him and he was approved.
I left my job yrs ago due to his special needs and I couldn't work while attending to all his needs.
We did get a subsidy but when he was in residential, I called and they stopped the payment.
When he came home, to get him back on his subsidy was becoming a full time job. I eventually gave up because he ended up in and out of placement.
He is doing better now, but still brings our family many challenges.
I did take on a part time job, which is great because of the flexible hours but our family sacrificed a lot with his needs and the lack of income. I am sure I am preaching to the choir at this point.
At this point, he will be getting SSI. I figure since he is 18, he can start paying rent and living expenses. (I am also his payee).
He will be living with us for a while and who knows when he will move onto a group home but for now he is with us.
Here is my issue. How much does one charge for this? I feel bad taking it, but we cant afford to keep going the way we are going.
Plus, with SSI, I want to prove that his money is going towards his rent and living expenses. If I dont take any, he will just spend his money on skateboards and Iphones, and anything else he can find because the child is incapable of holding onto a dollar more then 24 hours.
Plus, from what folks have told me, that he cant have a lot of money in his account. I don't know the in and outs of that.
Anyone have any experience with this? I realize its his money, but I think he should contribute to the family expenses at this point.
Sorry so long, I just have no idea how much to charge.
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you could take your monthly expenses and divide it by the number of people in your home. whatever that comes out to would be a very reasonable amount to charge.
or you could find out what a room rents for in your area and charge him that.
for the record, i wouldn't feel bad charging him--he's going to pay someone, why not his family?
i have heard that $2000 is the top amount a person receiving benefits can have in their account. since i didn't know, i consulted with google. here's the link: [url]http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm[/url] it's super informative.
hoping for all good things for you and yours in this next adventure of adult kid!
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I was in the same situation with my son last year when he turned 18. He was approved for SSI and was living at home. Your son is entitled to around S771 per month on SSI. However, since he is living at home the gov reduces his monthly pay by S230 (I think) per month because you are providing food and shelter. One way you can receive payment from him is have a loan or promissory note from him to you for past expenses that you covered. I'm not sure if you can be landlord and collect rent from him with a written agreement. I would ask your assigned worker at the SSI office if a promissory note would work to collect rent or past expenses. A disability attorney could also answer that question.
We recently moved our son to his own apartment. The SSI benefit and his part-time job are barely enough to pay his living expenses. We are waiting for a group home to open up, but the waiting list is long. Best wishes as you move forward!
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I think budgeting skills are important and I would setup a budget for him based on his income:
Here's one budget I found, there are plenty out there but this seemed reasonable on the surface.
For a nice round number, assume his SSI is $500
30% Housing $150
10% Utilities $50
15% Food (home & eating out) $75
10% Transportation $50
10% Debt Repayment (if he has no debt, you could add to spending $) $50
10% Savings $50
5% Clothing $25
5% Entertainment $25
5% Other fixed expenses (insurance, etc.) $25
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I think budgeting skills are important and I would setup a budget for him based on his income:
Here's one budget I found, there are plenty out there but this seemed reasonable on the surface.
For a nice round number, assume his SSI is $500
30% Housing $150
10% Utilities $50
15% Food (home & eating out) $75
10% Transportation $50
10% Debt Repayment (if he has no debt, you could add to spending $) $50
10% Savings $50
5% Clothing $25
5% Entertainment $25
5% Other fixed expenses (insurance, etc.) $25
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ETA: The budget I posted above is pretty complicated and may be too much to think about depending on his disabilities. But you could group these things together to simplify, e.g.
50% Household Expenses
20% Fixed expenses
20% Fun money
10% Savings
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This is a bit complicated and may be too much to think about depending on his disabilities. But you could group these things together to simplify, e.g.
50% Household Expenses
20% Fixed expenses
20% Fun money
10% Savings
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I have known disabled adults who lived in their parents' homes and were charged rent. One was in separate suite (not quite an in-law apartment, but had a separate entrance and own bathroom), another was just a regular room in the house. Most subsidized apartments figure rent/ utilities on 30% of income (at least around here), so you could start with that or, as a pp said, check what room rentals are in your area and base it on that, then figure out what is appropriate for food. It definitely sounds reasonable for an 18 year old who has an income to contribute to their expenses.
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