1010               SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SCREENING AND ADVOCACY

Supplemental Security Income (SSI Supplemental Security Income) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance) are disability benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA Social Security Administration). Screening for a client’s potential referral for these programs is a required part of a work services provider’s due diligence. If medical documentation or assessments support the likelihood that a client may qualify, SSI Supplemental Security Income/SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance may be used as the employment goal on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan. (WSPM 1002-2)

SSI Supplemental Security Income and SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance approval counts in the performance "Cases that closed with earnings" and "Cases that don't return" (WSPM 1003-1-C-2 and 1003-1-C-3).

1010-1            BENEFITS OF RECEIVING SSI Supplemental Security Income/SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance

1.      Although every case is different, ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program recipients who are approved for SSI Supplemental Security Income typically receive:

•          Increased income,

•          Access to vocational retraining programs and supported work programs, and;

•          Non time-limited eligibility for cash and medical assistance.

2.   Households receiving ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program as well as SSI Supplemental Security Income often have a higher total income because SSI Supplemental Security Income payments are not counted as income to the rest of the household.

3.   DPA Division of Public Assistance benefits through an ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program caseload reduction.

1010-2     ADVOCACY AND SCREENING SERVICES

DPA Division of Public Assistance does not provide Social Security screening and advocacy services directly. Refer appropriate clients to non-profit services where available; commercial vendors may also be utilized as a supportive service when appropriate and available (TANF State Plan IV-15). Social Security advocacy services at a minimum involve case review, screening, and assisting clients to complete the initial application for SSI Supplemental Security Income/SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Services may include screening cases for qualification, working directly with the client to understand the application process and requirements, directly assisting the client in completing and submitting forms, obtaining appropriate documentation of diagnosis, and providing follow-up to ensure the application process is continued to completion and a determination of Social Security benefits is made.  Advocacy may include representation in the appeals process and at administrative hearings as well. These services can be negotiated with your local provider.

NOTE:  Clients who are age 65 or older, terminally ill (TERI cases), those whose conditions qualify for Compassionate Allowances and those that meet presumptive disability criteria should be immediately referred directly to the SSA Social Security Administration as they may qualify for expedited services.

1010-3     ACCESSING ADVOCACY AND SCREENING SERVICES AS A SUPPORTIVE SERVICE

Social Security screening and advocacy services may be accessed through use of Supportive Services payments to any vendor in appropriate circumstances.  This service is for clients who present as disabled and who are pursuing self-sufficiency from the Temporary Assistance program through application for SSI Supplemental Security Income/SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The Supportive Services category for Social Security application services is “Counseling Services”, coded as “CL”. (WSPM 1004-3 and WSPM 1004-4)

1010-4     SCREENING REFERRAL CRITERIA

There are no specific required criteria for referring a client to an advocacy service; it is a prudent person judgement of the case manager. However, the following are some indicators that when combined may support a referral:

•           More than one 6 month TA-10 or a single 12 month TA-10;

•           Limited to five or fewer hours of daily activity;

•           One or more medical diagnosis of “Severe”, and;

•           Multiple diagnoses, i.e. physical illness, mental illness, or injury that individually do not result in full disability but together they do.

Note: If a client consistently self-identifies as disabled, even if it appears that they are not, it may be wise to refer them for a case review and screening anyway. If the Social Security advocate then tells the client that their case is unlikely to be approved; they speak with the weight of authority, and the client may then be re-directed by the Case Manager to pursue training and employment towards self-sufficiency instead of pursuing Social Security disability.