SSI-SP recipients are defined as those persons:
EXAMPLE: A PTD claimant received an $80 grant in December 1973. He also had $130 unearned income ($210 EIL). In determining the SSI payment, Social Security disregarded $20. The countable income was $110. SSA subtracted this from the maximum payment level in effect ($140 - $110) to arrive at the SSI payment ($30). Since the claimant's SSI payment plus other income ($160), did not meet the EIL ($210) the claimant was eligible for a $50 supplemental payment.
Additional legislation was passed in July 1975 which excluded Social Security cost of living adjustments from July 1975 forward in the determination of the SP amount.
SSI-SP Recipients Have the Following Guarantees (i.e., conversion rights):
The highest correctly computed supplemental payment that occurred within EIL limitations is known as the HIGHEST VALID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT. Once this highest valid payment is correctly established, it must be maintained, even if this causes the total income to exceed the December 1973 EIL.
EXAMPLE: An AB claimant, who had a December 1973 EIL of $610 ($110 AB grant and $500 earned income) began receiving a $12 SSI payment in January 1974 because SSI disregarded the following amounts of income: $292 (i.e. the 65 and ½ disregard) and $60 (AB work expense) and $20 (personal income exemption) - $372 total exemptions. The countable income was $128 ($500-$372). The SSI payment was, therefore $12 ($140 - $128). This gives the claimant income of $512 which was $98 less than the claimant's December 1973 EIL ($610). The claimant was converted to SSI-SP with a supplemental payment of $98. In July 1976 the claimant lost his job. The claimant's only income was a $167.80 SSI payment. Because the claimant's December 73 EIL ($610) must be maintained, the claimant's SP grant was increased to $442. Several months later the claimant returned to work and the claimant's SSI payment was reduced to $39.80 ($167.80 - $128). The claimant's SP grant continues at $442 as the highest valid payment level.
The non-reduction provision must be followed unless:
The program (either OAA, PTA, or AB) from which the SSI-SP claimant was ORIGINALLY converted dictates how the claimant's SP amount is determined.
Compute the amount amount of supplemental payment using only the individual's income. Exclude income listed in Section 0725.000.00.
For OAA or PTD SP-Only recipients, determine the grant by as follows:
In addition to the situation in which the recipient initially receives a social security benefit, ANY increase in a social security benefit other than the cost of living adjustments beginning July 1985 is treated as income.
EXAMPLE 1: Mrs. Reeves was receiving an OASDI benefit under her own account number. In November, she received an increase in benefits due to the death of her spouse. The increase is paid out of her husband's account; however, Mrs. Reeves continues to receive under her own account number. The increase received due to her husband's death is identifiable and is added to the countable OASDI previously received by Mrs. Reeves. Exclude any subsequent cost of living increases to the full countable amount is excluded.
EXAMPLE 2: Mrs. Reeves was receiving an OASDI benefit under her husband's account number. In November, she began to receive an OASDI benefit under her own Social Security number. Count the entire monthly amount she received for November under her own OASDI number in determining her SP grant. Disregard any subsequent increases.
For AB SP-SSI recipients, determine the grant by using one of the following computation methods:
OR
Use the computation which is most beneficial to the recipient.
NOTE: When the current BP maximum minus the SSI payment amount is used, it DOES NOT create a high valid payment and the grant must be increased and decreased as necessary. If, at a later date, the claimant becomes ineligible for SAB OR it is no longer of benefit to use the BP maximum minus the recipient's SSI payment amount, take appropriate action to close the SAB case. If the claimant continues to be eligible for SSI, restore SSI-SP conversion status. The HIGHEST VALID payment using the EIL computation IS MAINTAINED.
If an OAA or PTD SSI-SP conversion recipient meets the SAB eligibility factors, it may be to the recipient's advantage to transfer to SAB. If eligible, determine the grant for SAB by taking the current BP Maximum minus the SSI payment amount; and proceed as follows.
See NOTE after “For AB Conversion Recipients”.
NOTE: Recompute the supplemental payment any time there is a change in income because although the supplemental payment cannot be reduced, it can be increased.
Eligibility for SSI-SP is ALWAYS linked to SSI eligibility. Do the following if the claimant is suspended from or becomes ineligible for SSI.
If SSI payments are suspended, determine if the claimant continues to meet SP-Only eligibility during this suspended SSI status.
When the EIL method is used to compute the SP amount and SSA puts the SSI payment of an SSI-SP conversion case in suspension status, evaluate the reason for suspension AND determine if eligibility for SP is affected.
Determine continued SP eligibility when SSI is suspended due to:
In the above instances, determine if the claimant has moved and has not reported a change of address to SSI. If this situation occurs, notify the claimant to report the change to SSA; and notify SSA of this change using the Social Security Referral Request Form.
If the claimant cannot be located, follow adverse action procedures to close the case.
When the BP maximum minus the SSI payment amount is the method used to determine the AB conversion claimant's grant and SSA suspends the SSI payment amount, evaluate for continued eligibility. Make necessary grant adjustments if the claimant continues to meet SAB eligibility.
If information is obtained that indicates the claimant is ineligible for SSI, use the Social Security Referral Request Form to notify SSA. When SSA lifts the suspension or closes the case, take appropriate action on the Title XIX and SP grant.
If the SSI-SP recipient becomes ineligible for SSI, SSA will notify the county. Investigate the claimant's eligibility for SP-Only. If the claimant continues to meet the December 1973 eligibility requirements for either OAA, PTD, or AB and the claimant's income (excluding OASDI cost of living adjustments received July 1975 or later) does not meet the EIL, transfer to SP-Only. If the claimant is ineligible for SP, close the conversion case.
If the claimant regains SSI eligibility at a later date, restore the claimant's SSI-SP conversion status to the highest valid SP level held while in an SSI-SP status. Cancel close the case. (Refer to “Common Procedures of Conversion Categories” in this manual.)
Section 208.015 (RSMo) provides that: “. . . Persons receiving General Relief in December 1973 and who qualify for Supplemental Security Income shall continue to receive a General Relief grant if necessary to prevent a reduction in total cash income received by such person in December 1973, which General Relief grant shall not exceed the amount of General Relief provided by law.”
Persons who received a GR cash grant in December 1973 and are subsequently approved for SSI payments, continue to receive a grant as long as:
These recipients are classified as SSI-SP cases, but continue to carry a GR case number. Although these cases are classified as SSI-SP, adjust the grants as income changes. There is NO non-reduction clause on these cases. The SP grant cannot exceed $70. The SP grant and all other income cannot exceed the December 1973 EIL.
NOTE: In GR cases involving a single payee with multiple recipients, divide the December 1973 GR grant equally among the recipients in computing the income for the EIL determination.
When GR (SSI-SP) claimants lose eligibility, determine continued eligibility for GR. If a GR claimant is ineligible for SSI because of income [Reg. 40-2.140(5)(A)(B)] or refusal to cooperate with SSI, the claimant is also ineligible for GR, and the case must be closed.
If the claimant's SSI payment plus other income meets or exceeds the December 1973 EIL, close the GR. To receive continued Title XIX coverage, the claimant must apply and be eligible for MA.
These cases may not have an SP-Only classification. If the claimant cannot be legitimately classified as SSI-SP or as a regular GR case, close the GR case.
Once the claimant loses (GR) SSI-SP status, it cannot be regained.
Although reinvestigations are not required on these cases, verify that the claimant continues to be eligible for SSI.