0410.000.00 DETERMINING NEED

Eligibility is determined on need and based on income, excluding SSI. The grant is based on the difference between SSI payment and the SAB maximum grant amount.

Although several assistance groups may exist within a single household, each group is budgeted separately. Each group's expenses are budgeted in accordance with the instructions in this section.

0410.005.00  SAB Assistance Groups

In determining need eligibility for an SAB grant, include only the expenses and income of the SAB claimant in the SAB budget. If there are Temporary Assistance and GR assistance groups in a household with an SAB claimant and the SAB claimant is a member of the Temporary Assistance or GR assistance group, follow the policy that applies to the Temporary Assistance-SAB, Temporary Assistance-BP, or GR-SAB combination eligibility situation.

0410.005.05  Temporary Assistance-SAB or Temporary Assistance-BP Assistance Groups

If a blind claimant receives SSI, the claimant is not included in the Temporary Assistance determination and a separate determination for SAB is made.

0410.010.00  Budgetable Expenses

Standard expense items and expenses related to the cost of producing income are the only expenses considered when determining the budget. A “standard” expense item is that expenditure considered necessary for all persons in the assistance group and must be included as an expense on the budget.

0410.010.05  Standard Expense Definition

The standard expense, as used here, is a money amount that represents a fair and equitable figure for all expenses for an average person to live in a manner compatible with decency and health; as contrasted with an item-by-item cost determination in each case situation. The allowed standard expense is based on the number of persons in the household. The type of living arrangements, i.e., room and board, two assistance groups in the same household, rent versus home ownership, and so on, have no bearing on the standard expense allowed.

0410.010.10  Standard Expense Composition

Allowed standard expense items are based on the cost of living as of July 1969 and a survey of a fair and adequate random sample of SAB cases in December 1975. All expenses were averaged separately, updated, and combined into one figure that includes food, clothing, personal expense, transportation, additional blind expense, household expense, shelter costs, medical expense not covered by Medicaid, restaurant meals, vocational training, special school expenses, and nursing and housekeeping services.

Once compiled, this figure becomes a single dollar figure; the expense allowance is not itemized. No other expenses may be allowed on the budget.

0410.010.15  The Consolidated Standard

The consolidated standard was implemented February 1976 and allowed $300 for each SAB claimant. Effective January 1985, the consolidated standard is increased by the same percentage as OASDI increases under Title II of the Social Security Act.

0410.010.20  SAB Claimant in a GR Group

When an SAB claimant must be included in a GR group, an additional $100 blind expense is allowed. This $100 allowance includes:

This figure is included in the Consolidated Standard.