Support Hearing in Pittsburgh
Child Support and Social Security Disability
Are Social Security Disability benefits includable as income for support purposes? It depends what kind of disability benefits you receive. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are includable in “income” as defined by Pennsylvania law; but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not income for support purposes.
Whether you qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depends on your work history. To qualify for SSD benefits, you must have paid into the Social Security system by working for a certain amount of time. To qualify for SSI benefits, you need not have any work history at all. Unlike SSD, SSI is similar to a welfare program. SSI recipients must be disabled and have a monthly income that does not exceed a certain level.
To speak with a Pittsburgh family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
How to Prepare for Your Support Hearing
Prior to the support hearing, provide your family law attorney with paystubs, tax returns, W-2s, 1099 forms, bank statements, and other documentary evidence of your income. Be prepared to describe in detail your occupation or business, earnings, and job perks as well as your spouse’s business, earnings, and job perks. Do not overlook other sources of income such as investments, trusts, parental gifts, gratuities, and “under the table” income. In addition to understanding your financial status, your attorney will work with you to assess your realistic needs, goals, requirements, earning and earning capacities.
To speak with an Allegheny County family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.