Social Security Terminology

The following common terms are used when referring to Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

Abatement

Abatement or offsetting is the collection by the county of Retirement, Survivor and Disability Insurance (RSDI benefits (except for Surivor benefits) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) funds to pay back Foster Care (FC) benefits already granted to a child or youth. The abatement may be the entire amount of the Social Security Award or just a partial amount. Any excess must be sent to the provider at the discretion of the assigned Social Worker (Social WorkerSW/PO or Probation Officer (PO). The Social Services Analyst (Analyst) is responsible for approving the abatement and the distribution of any excess funds.

Effective June 22, 2025, California Assembly Bill (AB) 2906 requires counties to ensure that a child’s or NMD’s SSA Survivor Benefits are not abated to reimburse the county for any costs related to foster care. These benefits must be conserved and maintained in a dedicated account for the youth.

Child Sub-Payee Account (CSP)

SSA allows for representative payees to “collect” RSDI and SSI benefits on behalf of an individual. But before benefits can be paid by SSA, SCCSSA must establish an CSP account for each individual who is eligible to receive benefits. The CSP is established by the Analyst.

RSDI Benefits

RSDI is the abbreviation for Retirement, Survivor and Disability Insurance benefits provided by the SSA.. In this chapter and topic, SSA benefits is used as a general term to refer to RSDI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

SSI is payable to people who are disabled or blind, have little or no income or resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible.

SSI Benefits State Supplementary Payment (SSP)

The State of California pays an additional amount to the federal standard SSI amount. The benefits is also known as the Optional State Supplement (OSS.

Suspension of Benefits

Once a child or youth is approved for SSI, there is an option to suspend the distribution of the benefits for up to 12 months. This allows the child or youth to continue receiving federal AFDC-FC. If the child's benefits are not reinstated by the 12th month a new SSI application must be sent SSA to restore benefits. The reinstatement month is determined by the month the benefits were suspended.

ExampleExample

When a request for suspension is sent on October 27, 2016, but Benefits are not suspended until November 15, 2016, the benefits must be reinstated by the end of October 2017, of the following year or a new application is required.