Department of Public Welfare Announces Cuts to Supplements Paid to Federal SSI Recipients.
Department of Public Welfare Announces Cuts to Supplements Paid to Federal SSI Recipients.
The Department of Public Welfare has announced that it will cut by up to a 24% the supplements it pays to federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Unless reversed, DPW's action means that individual SSI recipients now receiving only $27.40 per month as the state supplement will get $22.10. Couples receiving SSI will see their supplement cut from $43.70 per month to only $33.70 per month. Even at the higher numbers, persons getting the supplement must live at approximately 75 percent of the federal poverty level.
It is a disgrace that the Commonwealth failed to include in its budget adequate funds to continue to support persons who are aged or have disabilities that make them unable to work and who are already living below the federal poverty level.
Written comments regarding these cuts can be sent to: Edward J. Zogby, Bureau of Policy, Room 431, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or sent to Mr. Zogby at [email protected]. Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users). Comments must be received by February 14, 2010.
Below is the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice announcing these cuts.
NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE
[Saturday, January 16, 2010]
The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Public Welfare's (Department) changes to the State Supplementary Payments (SSP) levels codified at 55 Pa. Code Chapter 299, Appendix A (relating to SSP payment levels) under 55 Pa. Code § 299.37 (relating to SSP payment level changes) and 20 CFR 416.2096 and 416.2097.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) established Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amounts as a national minimum assistance standard which does not take into account the differences in the cost of living throughout the country. States have the option to provide additional assistance through the SSP program to address these differences.
The Commonwealth opted to provide the SSP to eligible individuals. SSI recipients receive a separate SSI payment from SSA and an SSP benefit from the Commonwealth. Due to state budget limitations, the amount budgeted for SSP for State Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 will not be enough to cover projected payments at the current pay rates. Further, the number of people who qualify for SSP has increased from 353,301 in July 2009 to approximately 362,383 anticipated for June 2010.
Therefore, SSP payments that are administered by the Department for individuals and couples residing in independent living arrangements and households of another will be reduced by the amounts set forth in Appendix A of this section. These decreased SSP payment levels are effective February 2010.
Based on the directive from the Governor and the General Assembly, the SSP for domiciliary care home was increased by $45 effective October 1, 2007, and the SSP for personal care home was increased by $45 effective July 1, 2006. All SSI recipients continue to be automatically eligible for Medical Assistance.
Fiscal Impact
Savings is estimated at $9.403 million in FY in 2009-2010 with full-year implementation savings estimated at $22.931 million in FY 2010-2011.
Public Comment
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the Department at the following address: Edward J. Zogby, Bureau of Policy, Room 431, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or at [email protected]. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for any subsequent revision of the notice.
Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
ESTELLE B. RICHMAN,
Secretary
Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-629. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 55. PUBLIC WELFARE
PART II. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL
Subpart I. OTHER INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
CHAPTER 299. SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM AND
STATE SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT PROGRAM
GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR STATE-ADMINISTERED OPTIONAL SSP
§299.37. SSP payment level changes
Revisions to the SSP payment levels will be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for codification in Appendix A.
APPENDIX A
SSP Payment Levels
|
|
Individual |
Couple |
|
Residing in an Independent Living Arrangement |
$22.10 |
$33.30 |
|
Residing in the Household of Another |
$25.53 |
$38.44 |
|
Residing in a Domiciliary Care Home |
$434.30 |
$947.40 |
|
Residing in a Personal Care Home |
$439.30 |
$957.40 |
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-118. Filed for public inspection January 15, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]