The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a significant update to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, aimed at increasing access for eligible individuals. Effective September 30, 2024, the SSA will revise the definition of a “public assistance household” to include those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, expanding the scope of SSI eligibility.
Previously, the definition of a public assistance household required all members to receive public assistance. The new rule will simplify this by recognizing households where only one member receives SNAP or similar means-tested benefits. This change is expected to benefit many SSI applicants and recipients by making more individuals eligible for support and potentially increasing their payment amounts.
Key Updates Include:
- Expanded Household Definition: The updated rule will now recognize households with an SSI recipient and at least one member receiving SNAP benefits. This change eliminates the previous requirement that all household members must receive public assistance.
- Increased Access and Benefits: The revision is designed to reduce reporting burdens and make it easier for individuals in public assistance households to qualify for SSI. This adjustment aims to better reflect the current landscape of public assistance programs in the U.S.
- Simplified Eligibility: The new policy change will also assume that SSI applicants or recipients living in public assistance households are not receiving additional assistance from other household members, thus allowing for a more accurate determination of SSI eligibility.
These updates are part of the SSA’s broader efforts to enhance the SSI program and improve support for low-income individuals. Recently, the SSA also announced plans to exclude the value of food from SSI benefit calculations and to implement a nationwide rental subsidy exception.
For further details on the SSI program, eligibility criteria, and the application process, visit the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) page.
To read the full text of the new rule, visit the Federal Register.
Sources: Midtown Tribune news – ssa.gov
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