420-2       CONCURRENT PARTICIPATION IN THE SSISupplemental Security Income PROGRAM

 

420-2 A.   RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SSISupplemental Security Income AND APAAdult Public Assistance PROGRAMS

 

The Supplemental Security Income (SSISupplemental Security Income) program is a national, federally-funded and administered, public assistance program for the needy aged, blind, and disabled.  Alaska's APAAdult Public Assistance program is intended to supplement the benefits provided by the SSISupplemental Security Income program.

 

Because of the APAAdult Public Assistance program's higher income eligibility limits and differing policy concerning citizenship requirements, many clients are eligible for APAAdult Public Assistance but not for SSISupplemental Security Income; there is no requirement that APAAdult Public Assistance applicants or recipients whose countable income exceeds the applicable SSISupplemental Security Income standard pursue application for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.  Participation in the SSISupplemental Security Income program is, however, a condition of eligibility for any APAAdult Public Assistance applicant who receives countable needs-based income from such sources as Temporary Assistance or BIA-GABureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance that causes them to exceed the income limit for the SSISupplemental Security Income program.  If SSISupplemental Security Income decides that these individuals are eligible, SSISupplemental Security Income payments can begin once the needs-based income ends.

 

With few exceptions, the SSISupplemental Security Income and APAAdult Public Assistance programs use the same eligibility criteria.  Because of this relationship between the two programs, the decision of the Social Security Administration on a claimant's eligibility for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits may be the basis of a case worker's decision on the individual's eligibility for APAAdult Public Assistance benefits.  The only essential difference between SSISupplemental Security Income and APAAdult Public Assistance eligibility criteria are APAAdult Public Assistance's more liberal income policies, and APAAdult Public Assistance requirements that recipients be residents of Alaska and at least 18 years old.  Thus, the requirement to participate in the SSISupplemental Security Income program goes beyond simple pursuit of a source of income; an APAAdult Public Assistance client whose income is within SSISupplemental Security Income limits must not only apply for SSISupplemental Security Income, but also must be found eligible for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits, or the client will be ineligible for APAAdult Public Assistance benefits.

 

Exception:  

The APAAdult Public Assistance and SSISupplemental Security Income programs may apply a disqualification period if an individual (or spouse) transfers a resource for less than its value.  If the APAAdult Public Assistance disqualification period ends before the SSISupplemental Security Income disqualification period, the individual may qualify for APAAdult Public Assistance benefits after the end of the APAAdult Public Assistance disqualification period.  To qualify for assistance, the individual must still meet all other APAAdult Public Assistance eligibility requirements except for receipt of SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.  See manual section 433-1 for the policy on transfer of resources.

 

420-2 B. TIME LIMIT FOR PURSUIT OF SSISupplemental Security Income BENEFITS

 

1. APAAdult Public Assistance applicants
 

Unless the individual has already established a current SSISupplemental Security Income claim and is receiving the maximum amount of SSI for their living situation, an otherwise eligible applicant whose countable income is within SSISupplemental Security Income limits must file a claim for SSISupplemental Security Income and be in pay status within 30 days of the date of interview.  The applicant must be provided with written notice of the requirement to file for SSISupplemental Security Income and be given a reasonable amount of time to do so.  Clients shall be informed that SSISupplemental Security Income claims may be filed in person or by telephone, and that SSISupplemental Security Income will allow a responsible individual to apply on behalf of another.  If the applicant fails, without good cause, to comply with this requirement, APAAdult Public Assistance assistance must be denied.

 

Example:

Morris receives SSI and also had a part time job at a grocery store.  The job at the grocery store ended.  Morris must be given 30 days to report the job end to SSI and provide verifcation of the increase of SSI before APA can begin.

 

 

2. APAAdult Public Assistance recipients

 

Whenever the countable income of an APAAdult Public Assistance recipient who is not receiving SSISupplemental Security Income is expected to decrease to less than the applicable SSISupplemental Security Income standard, the case worker shall provide the client with a notice, in writing, that he or she must apply for and provide verification of an SSISupplemental Security Income application or reported change within 30 days. SSISupplemental Security Income application, or proof of reported change in circumstances, is required of any APAAdult Public Assistance recipient whose income or living situation changes enough to indicate potential SSISupplemental Security Income eligibility or an increase in SSI benefits.

 

If the mandatory verification is received by the due date, APAAdult Public Assistance benefits continue until the Social Security Administration makes a decision.  If they do not provide this verification b the due date, the APAAdult Public Assistance case should be closed with 10 days notice of adverse action.  Medicaid may continue if Medicaid eligibility requirements are still met.  See ADLTC 530.

 

Refer clients to the SSISupplemental Security Income program even if it appears that they will be eligible for a period as short as one calendar month.  Clients whose monthly income fluctuates above and below SSISupplemental Security Income limits must maintain an open SSISupplemental Security Income claim; SSISupplemental Security Income rules allow an individual's claim to remain open in nonpay status for up to 11 consecutive months without reapplication.  Individuals in nonpay status with SSISupplemental Security Income Supplemental Security Income are considered to have an open SSISupplemental Security Income claim because they still meet the SSISupplemental Security Income disability requirements; such individuals continue to remain eligible for APAAdult Public Assistance if they meet all other factors of eligibility.  Individuals in SSISupplemental Security Income nonpay status must report to the SSASocial Security Administration any change in their circumstances which might result in eligibility for SSISupplemental Security Income payments.

 

Example:

Jim begins seasonal employment in May.  His countable earnings make him ineligible for SSISupplemental Security Income payments and he goes into non-pay status with SSISupplemental Security Income .  Jim’s APAAdult Public Assistance case remains open because his income is still below the need standard.  In September, the tourist season is winding down and his income goes below the SSISupplemental Security Income limit.  Jim is referred to SSISupplemental Security Income and given 30 days to reopen his claim.

 

420-2 C. BENEFITS TO APAAdult Public Assistance APPLICANTS PENDING AN SSISupplemental Security Income DECISION

 

APAAdult Public Assistance applicants who are applying for both SSISupplemental Security Income and APAAdult Public Assistance are not eligible for regular APAAdult Public Assistance benefits while SSISupplemental Security Income is determining their eligibility.  They may, however, be eligible for Interim Assistance payments until SSISupplemental Security Income makes a final decision on their eligibility.  See manual section 426-2.

 

420-2 D. BENEFITS TO APAAdult Public Assistance RECIPIENTS PENDING AN SSISupplemental Security Income DECISION

 

APAAdult Public Assistance recipients are required to pursue SSISupplemental Security Income benefits when they appear eligible. If an APAAdult Public Assistance recipient is still deemed disabled and meets all other factors of eligibility, the recipient should be given 30 days to provide verification that they are pursuing SSISupplemental Security Income.  If this mandatory verification is received by the due date, APAAdult Public Assistance benefits continue until the Social Security Administration makes a decision. If they do not provide this verification by the due date, the APAAdult Public Assistance case should be closed with 10-day notice of adverse action. Medicaid may continue if Medicaid eligibility requirements are still met.  See ADLTC 530.

 

If SSISupplemental Security Income finds the client eligible, adjust the APAAdult Public Assistance case to reflect receipt of SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.  If SSISupplemental Security Income finds the client ineligible for any reason except excess income, close the APAAdult Public Assistance case and redetermine Medicaid eligibility.

 

If SSISupplemental Security Income denies the application solely because of excess income, the client may continue to be eligible for APAAdult Public Assistance benefits if the client's income is within the APAAdult Public Assistance limits and the client continues to meet all other factors of eligibility.

 

420-2 E. VERIFICATION OF PURSUIT OF SSISupplemental Security Income BENEFITS

 

An individual's application for and pursuit of SSISupplemental Security Income benefits may be verified in several different ways.  Whenever possible, the case worker should use the client's own documents as the verification source.  Examples of verification sources include:

 

  1. Copies of any notice from SSASocial Security Administration to the client which indicate the client is currently pursuing a claim;
     
  2. Referral letter from SSASocial Security Administration to DPADivision of Public Assistance which indicates the client has filed an SSISupplemental Security Income claim;
     
  3. SSISupplemental Security Income award letter;
     
  4. Current SSISupplemental Security Income benefit check;
     
  5. SDXState Data Exchange interface match or paper printout which indicates a current SSISupplemental Security Income claim;
     
  6. Response to a State Verification Exchange System (SVESState Verification Exchange System) inquiry from SSASocial Security Administration which indicates a current SSISupplemental Security Income claim.
     

 

If no acceptable documentary evidence is available to verify application for or pursuit of SSISupplemental Security Income benefits, a case worker may request information by fax machine or telephone the servicing SSASocial Security Administration office and get verbal verification.  Telephone contacts should be used only when no alternative verification source is reasonably available.

 

SSISupplemental Security Income will accept a written or oral request for benefits and establish the date of the request as a filing date for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits, but an SSISupplemental Security Income application is not considered to be received until a signed SSISupplemental Security Income application form is actually received by SSASocial Security Administration.  An individual who has not submitted a signed application to SSISupplemental Security Income has not complied with the APAAdult Public Assistance requirement to apply for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.

 

 

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MC #70 (04/24)