0425.000.00  APPLICATION PROCESSING

This section provides requirements for prompt disposition, initial benefit issuance, and referring rejected applications to Blind Pension.

0425.005.00  Prompt Disposition

Process SAB applications without undue delay unless unusual or extreme circumstances exist. Complete the eligibility determination to ensure an applicant is mailed his/her notice of approval or denial within a period not to exceed 90 days.

0425.010.00 Benefit Issuance

Issue the claimant's first SAB check for the month in which the SAB application is approved or for the month in which the 30th day from the date of application occurs, whichever is earlier. The 30 days includes the date of request for application.

Issue retroactive payments to claimants when application processing is not completed in time for the claimant to receive benefits for the month in which the 30th day following the request for application occurred. Retroactive payments are also issued for any months subsequent to the month in which the 30th day following the request for application occurred for which the claimant does not receive a regularly processed check.

Do not issue retroactive payments to claimants for any month during which the claimant was not eligible to receive benefits. The following are examples:

1. The claimant received an assistance check from another state during the time between the request date and date of approval.
2. The claimant was ineligible for the entire month based on an eligibility factor such as resources exceeding the statutory maximum.

0425.015.00  Referring Rejected Application to BP

If an SAB application is rejected for reasons other than vision or age, offer the claimant, at the same time, an opportunity to apply for Blind Pension. If an SAB application is rejected because of vision or age, the claimant is automatically ineligible for BP since the vision and age requirements for BP and SAB are the same.

For claimants wishing to apply for BP, refer to the policy regarding the BP program.