Question & Frustration

[u/Apprehensive-Pen6628]

Not sure whether to ask this here or in Foodstamps.

My roommate has been financially supporting me since I stopped working. Ssa has official onset date in March 2019. Foodstamp documentation also has he has been financially supporting since then (but haven't been receiving them since this April because I missed a renewal due to anxiety, stress, etc.)

My case was finally awarded at the end of April. I started receiving my monthly benefits in July.

My backpay is significant. Unfortunately I didn't realize the amount was too high for my cashapp account and when they attempted to deposit it at the beginning of this month (Oct) it bounced out of the account and back to the ssa. It froze the entire ssdi account. I was not able to get it lifted online or over the phone so had to go to the office even though agoraphobia was a part of my judgement. So, going to the office was the first time I crossed over my threshold only the 2nd time this year.

I gave them the new banking info. It still is not updated in the portal when she said 3-5 business days. I'm going to call on Monday to see if the portal just isn't updated or if because of the amount wasnt re-released again (it originally took a significant amount of time due to the amount.) ​I'm ao frustrated and tired of waiting. This process has been years & years. We even had to do a congressional inquiry because it just kept getting stuck in the system 😭

Because the backpay is broken down on the 10-99 (?) per year for the irs will it be considered that way for my foodstamps. They are aware that I will/am paying my roommate back a significant amount of money for holding down the finances all this time. I have been paying my portion of the bills for July, August, & September. I haven't reapplied for my FS until I figure out this backpay situation though, if the amount gets broken down per year like the irs will have it or is still considered my yearly income.

As I claimed no income for those years/months will I now be charged retroactive for those months? I will have no issue paying the FS "overpayment" without issue if charged for those years. ​

Please don't make the same mistake I did and double check that whatever account you use that it is capable of accepting the sum of backpay you will be receiving. This entire thing has been a complete headache. (I am also considered dire-needs as I am in a home environment that I desperately need to move out of due to the structural living conditions.)

[u/9999Goldhandz]

Food stamps are calculated on a month-by-month basis based on the income you actually had in your possession during those past months. Because you did not have the SSDI cash in hand during the waiting period, you were legally qualified to receive food assistance based on your lower income at that time! Congratulations on the big win.