Yvonne M. Perret, MA, MSW, LCSW-CNAEH National Conference on Ending

Family HomelessnessFebruary 10,2011

People who have the least resources must navigate our most complex systems

Benefits and resources, rather than being centralized, are disparate

Complexity of eligibility Constant changes of requirements Receiving one may affect eligibility for

another

SSA Survivors Benefits Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For

adults and children with disabilities Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

For eligible adults; includes dependent children benefits

Disabled widow or widower at age 50 Widow or widower: Reduced benefits at

age 60 or full benefits at full retirement age Any age widow or widower caring for

dependent child under 16 or child over 16 who is disabled

Unmarried children under 18 or under 19 if full time student in school

Deceased worker’s former spouse at age 60 or above if married 10 years or more

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)◦ Eligibility:

For families: Earned and unearned income of adult is “deemed” to child

SSA has formula for deeming Must have a disability or blindness Living arrangement affects benefit amount Resource limits: $2000 (individual); $3000 (couple) Above resource limits, portion is “deemed” to child Cannot currently be done on-line In TANF, if parent receives SSI, children still get TANF

benefit Individual benefit only

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)◦ Eligibility:

Must have a disability or blindness Amount of benefit dependent on amount contributed

through FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) No restrictions on resources Includes benefit for spouse, dependent children

generally to age 18 Application can be done on-line Provides Medicare after a 2-year wait

Non-medical criteria: Income, resources◦ Determined by SSA

Once meet non-medical criteria, claim goes to…

Disability Determination Services: A state agency that makes medical decision

Medical determination sent back to SSA SSA notifies claimant

ADULT Definition of Disability (age 18 and over)

Unable to do significant and gainful work because of a “medically determinable impairment” (diagnosis)

That affects (impairs) ability to function, and Has lasted or is expected to last 12 months

or more or result in death All or nothing—no partial disability

CHILD Definition of Disability (under age 18) Medically determinable impairment that Results in “marked and severe functional

limitations” And can be expected to result in death; or

has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months

When turn 18, re-evaluated under adult rules All or nothing—no partial disability

Medicaid: Provided automatically in most states with

SSI Federal/state funded Comprehensive coverage Varies from state to state depending on

state Medicaid plan Families receiving TANF receive Medicaid Disability requirement will end in 2014 with

Affordable Care Act; 133% of FPL

SOAR: SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery ◦ SAMHSA funded◦ Based on successful Baltimore project; expedites benefits◦ Staff as agents of hope◦ Three-pronged approach:

Collaboration planning among agencies and partners Train-the-Trainer using adult-based Stepping Stones to

Recovery curriculum Ongoing technical assistance

◦ Operates in 47 states◦ Close collaboration with SSA and DDS◦ Uses access to benefits as tool in recovery

Working to partner on writing comparable curriculum for children and SSI

Working on inclusion of veterans and their families in SOAR effort

Working on policy recommendations to SSA that would further assist individuals and families

Yvonne M. Perret, MA, MSW, LCSW-CExecutive Director

Advocacy and Training CenterCumberland, MD

301-777-7987 (work)301-268-2389 (cell)

yvonne.perret@gmail.comSOAR website: www.prainc.com/soar