State Blind Pension (SBP) PA 21-BI SBP Computation Sheet Revision and SBP Calculation Tool Introduction, OPS-23-03-02 (Published March 22, 2023)
State Blind Pension Individuals with Income or Resources, PO-21166-700 (Published December 19, 2022)
The Department of Human Services gives SBP (State Blind Pension) benefits for certain Pennsylvania residents. Recipients must qualify and meet visual requirements. The state funds SBP. The payment amount is set by law and can only be changed by legislative act. The cash category code for SBP is "B". All eligible applicants/recipients will be authorized in a B 00 budget.
Medical Assistance (MA) coverage must be provided to SBP recipients. MA will be explored separately for individuals eligible for SBP; if a SBP recipient is not eligible for other forms of MA, the recipient is opened in one of two special SBP-associated categories: “SBP 00” and “SBP 80” (including buy-in).
55 Pa. Code § 451.1 55 Pa. Code § 451.2 55 Pa. Code § 451.3(a)
DHS issues the SBP payment monthly, on the regular payment date for the month’s first assistance check. Payment may go to the blind person or the person's guardian, or trustee.
A person who qualifies for SBP or another cash assistance program may get benefits under any one of these programs but may receive assistance in only one Cash Assistance program at a time.
The SBP recipient is not subject to Semi-Annual Reporting but must report any changes in circumstances that may affect eligibility by the tenth day of the month following change.
The SBP applicant or recipient has the same right to appeal and have a fair hearing as any other cash assistance client. See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 870.
The CAO safeguards information collected about an SBP applicant or recipient. See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 930.
A person must apply for SBP in the county where the person lives. All application rules for TANF programs also apply to SBP. See Cash Assistance Handbook, Chapter 104.
An interview is not required however, the CAO should conduct a personal interview by phone or in-person at application. An applicant must not be denied for failure to complete an interview.
A guardian, relative or official of an institution where the blind person gets medical care may apply for the blind person if that person cannot apply due to illness or infirmity.
SBP cases are not subject to Quality Control review but may be chosen for review by the Auditor General. See Chapter 805, Audits.
The blind person must prove qualification for SBP at application and at renewal. The person may have trouble getting needed information because of the disability. The CAO must help if the blind person needs help getting proof of qualification for SBP.
See Cash Assistance Handbook, Chapter 178, Verification.
Updated March 23, 2023, Replacing November 18, 2019