1November 2009

EAEDCPatricia Baker

Mass. Law Reform Institute

2November 2009

What is EAEDC?

3November 2009

EmergencyAid to theElderly,Disabled andChildren

4November 2009

EAEDC Is:

State-funded cash assistance program (“general assistance”)

Provides a small cash grant and MassHealth to specific categories of low-income people

5November 2009

What Are the Categories?

Disabled (the largest group)Elders Mass. Rehab. Commission (MRC)

ParticipantsCaring for Disabled PersonCaretaker Families

6November 2009

Disability

Disability standards easier than SSI

Disability must last 60 days (compared to 12 months for SSI)

Legally present immigrants not SSI eligible may qualify for EAEDC

7November 2009

Disability Process

Doctor completes a Medical Report Form

Applicant completes for him/herself a Disability Supplement Form

Other medical records requested

Review by Disability Evaluation Services of U.Mass. Medical Center

Disabled person can get benefits while review is taking place! (unlike SSI)

8November 2009

Disability Process (cont.)

Disability Evaluation Services (DES) uses a 5-step process to decide disability

DES reviews medical records

DES can request a “consultative examination” with medical provider

DES must consider medical condition, age, education and work experience

9November 2009

Elderly

Person age 65 or older not on SSI

Benefits available while waiting for Social Security to start SSI

Legally present immigrants who are not eligible for SSI may qualify

10November 2009

Mass. Rehab Commission (MRC) Participants

MRC provides training and rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities

MRC has broader disability definition than EAEDC’s (or SSI’s) definition

Must be an active participant in an MRC program

11November 2009

Caring for Incapacitated

Caretakers of disabled people who need constant care and are at risk of being institutionalized can be eligible

Doctor must certify disabled person at risk of institutionalization without care

Disabled person must meet separate financial rules for caretaker to qualify

12November 2009

Caretaker Families

Adult caring for an unrelated child (“god child”) or distantly related child (must be ineligible for TAFDC due to the TAFDC relationship rules)

Child and adult may both qualify for aid

Adult caretaker must get legal guardianship or custody within 6 months (unless good cause)

13November 2009

Other Eligibility Rules

All EAEDC applicants must: Be a Mass. resident (can be homeless)

Provide or apply for SSN Have no outstanding default or arrest

warrants Apply for other available benefits

(Unemployment, fed/state Vets)

Apply for SSI if elderly or disabled

14November 2009

EAEDC & Immigrants Legal permanent residents, refugees,

asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, parolees and

Immigrants “permanently residing under color of law” or PRUCOL (DHS is aware of, not intend to deport) No counting of sponsor income No 5-year bar for EAEDC, may help jump 5-year

bar in FS if severely disabled LPR Some disabled immigrants in families may qualify

for EAEDC if not eligible for TAFDC

15November 2009

Financial Eligibility Rules

Income Rules: $ for $ unearned income counts against

grant Spousal income above $202.50 /mo

counts

Countable Assets: $250 for individuals, $500 for two or more Equity value of car over $1500 counts

16November 2009

EAEDC Grant Amounts Maximum for individual: $303.70/mo. Homeless/no shelter costs: $92.80/mo.

Spouses on EAEDC (each): $202.50/mo

BUT…….

NO rent allowance, like TAFDC NO clothing allowance for adults or kids

17November 2009

EAEDC Grant Amounts

Individual “living alone”

Couples both on EAEDC

Homeless/ no shelter costs

Rest home/ other institutional setting

$303.70/mo. $202.50/mo.(each spouse)

$92.60/mo. $72.80 PNAPersonal Needs

Allowance

18November 2009

Rest Home Benefit

EAEDC pays the rest home if person cannot afford monthly rate (@ $1500/month currently)

Resident keeps $72.80 for PNA, pays the balance of his/her income to rest home; EAEDC pays the rest up to the total rate

If no income, EAEDC pays rest home and pays the resident $72.80 PNA

19November 2009

EAEDC – Basic Rights

For all DTA programs, including EAEDC:

Right to file an application

Right to get help with verifications

Right to interpreter services if LEP

Right to reasonable accommodation of disabilities

Right to appeal to a hearing officer