An individual who is already receiving SSI is not eligible for Cash Assistance except as reimbursable assistance, and then only if:
the individual's unendorsed SSI check is lost, stolen, or delayed;
a change in the individual's circumstances (for example, a change in living arrangements or a loss of income) makes him or her eligible for a higher SSI payment; or
there is a delay in receipt of income, which is adjusted to the SSI payment.
NOTE: The amount of the interim assistance is determined by subtracting the SSI payment received and any other income from the family size allowance (FSA).
Example: Mrs. Jones received an SSI payment of $133 pending a re-evaluation by the SSA. Income anticipated and adjusted to the SSI payment has not been received. The FSA is $190. The amount of interim assistance for which she is eligible is $57.
The individual is required to sign an Agreement and Authorization to Pay Claim Form (FAIR 176-K). The CAO must explain to the individual that he or she is responsible to report when he or she receives the SSI or other income and to repay the assistance he or she received. The CAO must also prepare and submit to OIG a Reimbursement Referral (FAIR 173-S).
NOTE: The lost or delayed SSI or other income check will go to the individual instead of to the OIG. Repayment of assistance must not be withheld from the check. The individual must report when he or she receives his lost or delayed check in order to make arrangements for reimbursement.
Before authorizing reimbursable assistance, the CAO must verify that:
the lost or delayed income represents at least one-half of the SSI recipient's total income;
the individual, or someone acting in his or her behalf, has reported the loss, delay, or change to the source of the income;
a payment from the source is due the individual; and
the delay in receipt will be at least 10 days after the date of the cash assistance application.
Citation:
For interim assistance for SSI recipients, the CAO must authorize an NCE in the GA category.
NOTE: The individual must meet all GA eligibility criteria.
The amount of the NCE will be the lesser of:
the amount of the lost, stolen, or delayed income; or
the county’s maximum allowance less the individual’s net income, determined by GA standards.
The CAO must authorize additional NCEs only upon verifying that the missing income is still due and has not yet been replaced or otherwise provided.
The individual will be ineligible for further replacements if he or she fails to repay the assistance received pending the receipt of a delayed check or replacement of a lost or stolen check.
Reissued August 19, 2008, replacing November 24, 2003; Reviewed January 31, 2012