Cowings

MEMORANDUM **

Laura J. Cowings appeals from the dismissal of her claim for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). The district court held there was substantial evidence that Cowings had excess income and resources making her ineligible. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . Our review is de novo, see Sandgathe v. Chater, 108 F.3d 978, 980 (9th Cir.1997) (per curiam), and we affirm.

Cowings received several distributions from inheritances in 1998 and 1999. Because she refused to accept the money, the following amounts were deposited with the Los Angeles County Treasurer: $10,191.64 in July 1998, $153.82 in March 1999, and $431.00 and $6,413.13 in June 1999. In March 1999, payment of Cowings’ SSI benefits were suspended because she had financial income and resources in excess of the $2000 allowed by law. At her administrative hearing, Cowings testified that the inheritances consisted of “illegal funds” connected to a family feud, and that she would not accept the money.

The $10,191.64 was deposited with the County Treasurer in July 1998 in Cowing’s name. Inherited funds become “resources” at the beginning of the second calendar month after their receipt, see 20 C.F.R. §…

dissenting.

I respectfully dissent. Laura Jean Cowings (“Cowings”), a disabled individual, has been receiving Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits since 1997. Today, the majority upholds the District Court’s decision to render Cowings ineligible for SSI benefits because of her inheritances in 1998 and 1999, despite the fact that she refuses to accept the money. Maj. Op. at 1. At a hearing before the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), Cowings testified that the inheritances consisted of “illegal funds” connected to a family feud, and disavowed the funds.

Under the Social Security regulations, an inheritance is considered unearned in *667 come 1 which is counted “[w]hen you receive it or when it is credited to your account or set aside for your use.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.1123 (1999). It is hard to believe that Congress’s intent was to punish those who do not claim their inheritances and thus gain no economic benefit from the money even though it is held in their name. The statute presumes that the inheritance would be accepted or desired. In implementing the SSI program, Congress’s goal of meeting the subsistence needs of “the Nation’s destitute, aged, blind and disabled by…