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What is a Benefit Verification Letter?Are you unsure of which government benefits you are receiving? The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide an individual with a letter that shows proof that an individual receives social security benefits, such as, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare benefits, or has applied for such benefits. According to the…

Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid Program) is a means-tested program or also known as needs-based. Meaning, that there are certain income, asset/resource requirements to qualify to be eligible for Medi-Cal. For Medi-Cal eligibility determination, a home is an exempt asset/resource; meaning it is not counted as a resource when a beneficiary or his/her spouse is on Medi-Cal under…

If a beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Trustee, like CPT, is not permitted to give individuals cash reimbursements for the purchases he/she makes for himself/herself even if he/she has a receipt. Why? The reason is because if the trustee reimburses the beneficiary it will be considered unearned income which could result in the beneficiary’s Supplemental Security…

Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will lose eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments if he/she receives earned income. Earned income may be cash or in kind. The Social Security Administration (SSA) refers income paid as in-kind earned income as the value of food, clothing, shelter or other items provided to the beneficiary of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)…

States known as “1634” states are states that have completed a “1634 agreement” with the Social Security Administration. This agreement determines eligibility for a specific state’s Medicaid program for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. This is known as categorical eligibility. The agreements are only with states that use Supplemental Security Income (SSI) criteria to determine…

​States that are known as “SSI Criteria” states are certain states that use Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility criteria (for aged, blind, disabled) for Medicaid. Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), these states could make their own Medicaid determinations or may ask the Social Security Administration (SSA) to do it. Individuals must apply to the state separately from their application…

​States that are known as “SSI Criteria” states are certain states that use Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility criteria (for aged, blind, disabled) for Medicaid. Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), these states could make their own Medicaid determinations or may ask the Social Security Administration (SSA) to do it. Individuals must apply to the state separately from their application…

States that are known as “209(b)” states require individuals to apply for Medicaid through his/her state Medicaid program. These states are more restrictive than the SSI program. States that are “209(b)” states use their own criteria for Medicaid eligibility and determination. Not all states are “209(b)” states. Please see above for states that are known…

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, the President signed into law the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act. What is it? This specific Act fixes an error in existing law that indicated that all individuals with disabilities lacked mental capacity to handle their own affairs. The former law presented an issue, it prevented individuals with disabilities from…

The answer to this question depends on if a beneficiary is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medi-Cal (Medicaid program for California). If a beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) then there is no negative effect on a beneficiary’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or eligibility. However, if a beneficiary receives Medi-Cal only then the purchase of…