Suspension of SSI Benefits

Children entering FC may be active SSI recipients or SSI benefits may be approved while in FC. Children/youth receiving federal AFDC-FC payments may have their SSI benefits suspended to remain eligible for federal AFCD-FC funding.

AB 1633 requires SSI benefits to become available and remain available to youth 16.5 and older. SSI eligible youth 16.5 and older must have their benefits un-suspended once every 12 months to allow the youth to remain eligible.

 

Note: For more information regarding the screening process refer to  Screening of All FC Children and NMDs Prior to Aging-Out of FC [AB 1331, AB 1633, W&IC 13753 & W&IC 13757.

Eligible SSI Receiving Non-Federal AFDC-FC or County Only FC

Children or youth eligible for non-federal AFDC-FC funding can receive SSI benefits and AFDC-FC at the same time. The benefits are retained in a no-cost interest-bearing maintenance sub-account monitored by SWC. The suspension of benefits are not necessary for this population. SSI benefits are abated against their monthly FC payments.

Eligible SSI Youth Receiving Federal AFDC-FC

Children eligible for federal AFDC-FC and under the age of 18 cannot receive SSI and AFDC-FC benefits at the same time. SSI benefits must be suspended when:

• The child/youth is federally eligible for AFDC-FC payments and under age of 16.5 and the SSI benefits are less than the FC rate.

ExampleExample

• The youth is 16.5 and federally eligible for FC payments but under the age of 18 and the SSI benefits are less than the FC rate. To remain SSI eligible, the youth’s SSI benefits must be un-suspended once every 12 months.
• The youth is 18 or older, but under 21, and receiving Extended Foster Care (EFC) and has agreed to suspend benefits while participating in EFC. The SSI benefits must be less than the FC rate. To remain SSI eligible the youth’s SSI benefits must be un-suspended once every 12 months.

When benefits exceed the FC rate there is no eligibility for AFDC-FC funding, “county funds” must be request for court dependent children or youth to offset the cost of payment.

Note: When benefits are suspended and the youth is under the age of 16.5 the SWC will allow the benefits to remain suspended until the youth reaches the age of 16.5. A new application is required for SSI benefits that were suspended for more than a year.

Below is the suspension process:

1. SSA
   1. Approves SSI.
2. SWC
   1. Evaluates the FC Funding and determines the child is under 16.5 and is receiving federal AFDC-FC funding that exceeds the SSI rate.
      1. Completes an SCD 169 requesting suspension of SSI Benefits.
      2. Forwards SCD 169 to SSA.
3. SSA
   1. Returns the signed and dated SCD 169A with the suspension date.
4. SWC
   1. Receives signed and dated SCD 169A.
   2. Updates the SSI Advocacy Application to track the dates to un-suspend benefits before the 12 month expiration date

At annual redetermination and the youth is 16.5

1. FC EW
   1. Completes the SCD 1633 and FC 1633B.
   2. Adds case flag “FC SSI Potential SSI Child”.
   3. Completes and forwards the SCD 1633, the FC 1633A and 1633 B to the SWC.
2. SWC
   1. Reviews documents.
   2. Forwards screening packet to the assigned SW/PO.
   3. Updates the SSI Advocacy Application.
3. Assigned SW/PO
   1. Completes the Screening packet and returns the packet to the SWC.
4. SWC
   1. Reviews the packet for completeness.
   2. Submits the SSI application to SSA.
5. SSA
   1. SSI is approved and documents are sent to SCCSSA.
6. SWC
   1. It is determined the benefits must be suspended under AB 1633;
      1. Completes an SCD 169 requesting to suspend SSI benefits.
      2. Forwards SCD 169 to SSA.
      3. Receives signed and dated SCD 169A.
      4. Updates the SSI Advocacy Application.
   2. To Un-suspend SSI benefits for one month:
      1. At 8 Months, sends an “Urgent” e-mail to the assigned FC EW to change aid code to non-federal funding for one month.
      2. Updates the SSI Advocacy Application.
7. FC EW
   1. Changes the aid code to non-fed AFCD-FC for one month.
   2. Sends an e-mail to SWC that the request is completed.
   3. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.
   4. Sends a copy of the request to imaging.
8. SWC
   1. Prints copy of the CalSAWS Benefits Issuance (BI) window.
   2. Sends an e-mail to SSA with the printout of the BI to validate the non-federal AFDC FC payment.
   3. Receives notification from Accounts Receivable that the SSI payment is received.
   4. Advises Accounts Receivable to abate the benefits.
   5. Sends an e-mail to SSA requesting to have benefits suspended.
   6. Updates the SSI Advocacy Application.

      1. Note: When dependency is dismissed, the child is adopted or appointed a LG, any benefits held will be returned to SSA unless otherwise authorized by SSA.

9. SWC
   1. Repeats the process each year based on the annual RRR date for youth under 21.

Related Topics

Social Security Administration Benefits