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Automatic Medicaid If Accepted by SSI
I have been continuously surprised over the years to learn that
individuals with incomes two to three hundred dollars below the monthly
Medicaid eligibility amount ($725 in 2008) had never heard of the
Federal SSI program. This program was set up to give them a minimum
level of income, but they must first satisfy the following maximum
resource requirement: $2000 for single person or $3000 for a couple
and, in addition, each person is permitted to set aside $1500 for a
burial account. They come to see me for the sole purpose of applying
for Medicaid. However, once I am satisfied they meet all the tests of
SSI eligibility, I put into motion the appropriate procedure resulting
in their obtaining Medicaid and an additional few thousand dollars per
year of SSI payments plus payment by Medicaid of Part B Premium -- all
done in one step by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The
applicant, at the time of establishing eligibility for SSI, is enrolled
in Medicaid by SSA. The applicant has the option of an in-person
appointment at the local SSA office but, in my experience, I find the
procedure commonly used is a telephone interview (by appointment) and a
subsequent completion of the application (I emphasize to the client the
importance of its return to me). We need to make certain that it is
completed in accordance with our previous discussion regarding SSI
eligibility and the necessary supporting documents. The following prior
year case (updated) illustrates the cash benefits for the SSI
recipient:
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The client lives alone and her gross monthly income is $510.
The maximum SSI payment (Federal plus NYS funds) in NYS is that
amount which brings monthly income to $724 for an individual, $1060
for a couple. The client's income is subject to a $20 unearned income
deduction. Therefore, she will receive ($724-$490) a monthly SSI
payment of $234, or $2808 for the year. In addition, the Medicare
Part B premium will no longer be deducted from the client's social
security, so there will be another $1157 in her pocket. A few fine
points: the client, living with another person who eats all meals
outside the home or purchases and prepares all food separately, is
still considered to be living alone. However, if the individual
prepares food in common with the other person, she is considered to
be living with others, and the SSI limit is $660. This is a New York
State-created category. Also, in either of the above two situations
there should be a pro-rata share of rent costs paid directly by each
of the individuals to the landlord.
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SSI is available to U. S. citizens. In addition, aliens may qualify as
follows:
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1. Qualified and non-qualified aliens who resided in the
U. S. on August 22, 1996, and were in receipt of SSI at that time,
continue to remain eligible as do qualified aliens who were
continuously, lawfully residing in the U. S. on 8/22/96 if they were
disabled or blind regardless of the date of the disability.
2. Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have 40 quarters of coverage
from Social Security or LPRs who are the spouses, widow/ers or minor
children of someone with 40 quarters of coverage.
3. Qualified aliens who are active duty members, or who are honorably
discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses and
unmarried dependent children. The unmarried spouse (widow/ers) and
unmarried dependent children of a deceased veteran also may qualify.
4. Other eligible are certain groups of refugees and asylees. For
more detailed information call 1-800-772-1213 for fact sheet,
publication
number 05-11051, "Supplemental Security Income for
Non-Citizens."
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As in the case of Medicaid, SSI applicants must submit proof of
citizenship/alien status, residency, resources and income, age and, if
under 65, proof of disability or blindness.
Updated: January 15, 2008
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