Carol G. Ellis v. Kenneth Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security

KOELTL, District Judge:

The plaintiff, Carole Ellis, appeals from a judgment of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Kim-ba M. Wood, District Judge) affirming the defendant’s 2 reduction of her Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. The Commissioner of Social Security determined that certain payments made to the plaintiffs landlord (who is not related to Ms. Ellis) by a third-party (who is also not related to Ms. Ellis) constitute in-kind support and maintenance to Ms. Ellis. The Commissioner therefore concluded that these third-party payments should…