700.6 Authorizing, Changing and Closing the SBP Budget

The CAO authorizes an SBP budget through a "Special Program Request" in eCIS.

The SBP applicant must complete and sign the Application for Benefits (PA 600) and sign the Authorization for Release of Information ( PA 4 ) consenting to the disclosure of information from third parties when requesting the CAO to obtain the verification on the applicants behalf.    

NOTE: The PA 4 is only verification of the applicant’s agreement to allow release of information.  The signed application meets the requirement of giving consent to allow the release. However, if a third-party source refuses to provide collateral verification without a signed PA 4, persons who do not sign a PA 4 will be responsible to provide the CAO with all required verifications.  The inability to provide all required verifications within 30 calendar days may cause benefit ineligibility for individuals or entire budget groups.

The CAO must give the SBP person a Rights and Responsibilities Notice at application and at each renewal.

55 Pa. Code § 201.4(2)(ii)(A) 

Income and resources are not system evaluated in eCIS when eligibility is run for SBP budgets and defaults to pass for SBP budgets.  When an individual is not eligible for SBP the CAO must override the pass result to fail and send the proper manual notice.

The CAO will send the SBP client appropriate notices, including:

• Notice to Applicant
• Advance Notice
• Confirming Notice
• Client Verification Request Form

Use the correct notice type and reason codes listed in Appendix B  for notice text.

SBP is authorized effective the first regular payment day after eligibility is determined. Benefits are not prorated from the date eligibility is established.

SBP changes are effective the first regular payment day after the month of change.

SBP benefits are stopped effective the last day of the month.

The CAO authorizes a SBP MA budget by using the following action and reason codes available in eCIS:

The CAO will reject an application or close/discontinue the SBP medical category by using the following codes available in eCIS:

Reviewed October 7, 2024, Replacing March 23, 2023