going over the resource limit- what happens

I am new to ssi, recently reading a ton of articles, blogs, and official ssa info ( about SSI, my mind is spinning, stressed confused, etc..)
The parts that I am confused about it what happens IF: if a receipient goes over the $2k resource limit by their bank account balance on the first of the month- then what is the penalty?. I already understand that the person can not receive any benefit for the month or months that (s)he goes over the 2k resouce limit..but I want to know what is the penalty- does the person get suspended for 12 months? I am confused because I thought that is what i read some type of official ssa website... but then i read blogs where recipients have gone over the allowable resource amount and then just stopped the monthly benefit until their resources were below 2k... Also, I am inquiring for a person who was approved last month for SSI by a judge in court,,,, during the past 2 and half years she has always kept her monthly ( first of the month balance) bank balance below 2k and she has subsidezed work from self employment below the monthly$1,190 limit- however it was just in the last 2 or possibly 3 month period prior to her hearing that she was over the 2k resource because of a one time gift check that was given to her .... so when she has her appointment next montho or so at the ssa to get signed up for checks and get back pay settled.. how will this 2 or 3 months period that she was over the resource limit affect this process?