Supplemental Security Income
 
(01/01/21 - 12/31/21)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is monthly cash payments made under the authority of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended. SSI payments are made to persons who are 65 years of age or older, blind or disabled. SSI is a federally financed public assistance program. The person who receives SSI need not have contributed to the Social Security Fund to be eligible for SSI benefits.
 
For NA, SSI payments are countable.
 
For CA, SSI payments are not countable.
 
When a participant does not receive the SSI maximum benefit amount, document the reason (i.e. another source of income, recoupment due to an overpayment, marital change).
 
An overpayment for an SSI recipient may be identified through an interface with one of the following:
 
The HEAplus State Online Query Internet (SOLQI) Response Data Summary
See the SOLQI Desk Reference Guide located in the FAA Policy Support SharePoint Site Doc Library for guidance (internal use only)
Wire Third Party Query Information (WTPI)
 
When it is determined that an overpayment exists, complete the following to determine whether the overpayment amount should be deducted:
 
Discuss with the participant the reason for the overpayment and document the reason in the case file(g).
Request hard copy or collateral contact verification for the reason of the overpayment only when one of the following occurs:
The reason for the overpayment is questionable(g).
The participant does not know the reason for the overpayment.
Key the gross amount of the SSI payment on UNIN when one of the following occurs:
The reason for the overpayment cannot be determined.
The overpayment is not being deducted due to an overpayment from the same income source(g).
The participant does not provide verification for the reason of the overpayment, when requested.
 
NOTE Do not deny or stop benefits.
 
Key the gross income minus the overpayment amount (net income) when the overpayment is being deducted due to an overpayment from the same income source.
Document the case file to support why the gross or net income was keyed. (See Example Budgeting Net Income Documentation)
 
Count SSI benefits paid to a representative payee on behalf of a participant when one of the following occurs:
 
The payee lives with the budgetary unit
The payee lives outside the home and makes the income available for the support of the participant (See Example Representative Payee)
 
NOTE The SSI benefits do not need to be given directly to the budgetary unit by the payee but must be used to provide for the needs of the participant to be countable.
 
When an organization withholds a fee to act as a representative payee for an SSI participant, deduct the monthly fee from the gross income. The amount of the fee is not countable.
 
Key the gross amount of the SSI benefit unless overpayment recoupment or representative monthly fees deductions are applicable.
 
Key the SI Unearned Income Code in the INC TYPE field on UNIC.