Youth Over the 18 Years Old Becoming Their Own Payee for SSA or SSI Benefits

SSI Benefits

When the youth turns 18 they have the option of applying to become their own payee for SSI benefits. SSA will make the determination regarding the payee. The SWC will be notified by SSA when the request is made. The SWC must immediately notify the assigned SW/PO and the AB 12 SW Supervisor that a request to change the payee has been received. If SSA grants the change of payee to the youth, the assigned SW/PO and FC EW must be notified as soon as possible. The notification must include the effective date of the change.

When the youth is participating in EFC SSI benefits are considered unearned income and must be treated as such when payable to the NMD. When the NMD is receiving non-federal AFDC-FC, the SSI income is counted dollar for dollar against the AFDC-FC grant. The benefits are added in CalSAWS as “Unearned Income” and the grant will be reduced when the benefits are less than the FC rate. The excess is passed on to the NMD when in a SILP or to the FC provider.

When the NMD is receiving federal AFDC-FC payments the benefits must be reported to SSA. SSA will determine the NMD’s eligibility for SSI benefits.

When the benefits exceed the FC rate, there is no eligibility for AFDC-FC benefits. The SW/PO must explain the issue to the youth. The eligibility case will be closed since there is no eligibility for funding and Medi-Cal is automatically authorized for recipients in receipt of SSI.

RSDI Benefits

When SCCSSA is the payee for RSDI benefits and youth turns 18 years old SSA may allow the young adult to become the payee. SSA will notify the SWC the change of payee. The SWC must notify the assigned SW/PO, the AB 12 SW Supervisor and FCE of the effective date of the change. 

When the youth is participating in EFC as NMD, the SWC must advise SSA that the youth is still a dependent of the court. The assigned SW/PO must also advise the NMD it is in their best interest to allow SCCSSA remain the payee of their benefits while under the supervisor of the court.

When the NMD is receiving either federal or non-federal AFDC-FC, the income is counted dollar for dollar against the AFDC-FC grant. The benefits are added in CalSAWS as “Unearned Income” and the grant will be reduced when the benefits are less than the FC rate. The excess is passed on to the NMD when in a SILP or to the provider.

When the income exceeds the FC rate, the FC case will remain open as a FFY Medi-Cal case see Eligibility for FFY Medi-Cal.

When the youth is no longer eligible for RSDI benefits that exceeded the FC rate and the youth is participating in EFC, benefits can be restored effective the following month RSDI benefits were terminated.

Related Topics

Social Security Administration Benefits