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CHAPTER 2 - INTERIM DISABILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Interim Disability Assistance (IDA) program is designed to provide temporary financial assistance to disabled adults who are ineligible for TANF and who have applied for and are awaiting approval of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Approval of IDA is contingent on the availability of funds. If funds are exhausted at the time the customer is determined to meet all eligibility requirements, the customer will be placed on a waiting list, and approved when funds become available. Applications for Interim Disability Assistance are processed by IDA staff at designated ESA centers.

LEGAL AUTHORITY 2.2 AREA/TOPIC DISTRICT FEDERAL Interim Disability Assistance DC Act 13-539; Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Support Act of 2001

CASE MANAGEMENT 2.3 IDA households may be assigned a disability advocate to assist them in the process of qualifying for SSI. The advocate assists the household in acquiring and providing information to process the SSI claim, setting up necessary appointments, tracking the progress of the claim, and representing the household throughout the appeals process. Customers will have access to case management services provided under contract to ESA.

DETERMINING NON-FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY 2.4 Unless otherwise indicated, non-financial eligibility requirements for IDA correspond to those of SR Medicaid (see Part IV, Non-financial Eligibility). Non-financial eligibility requirements must be verified.

Assistance Unit 2.4.1 A person eligible for Interim Disability Assistance must be:

• between ages 18 and 65; • ineligible for TANF because no eligible child lives in the home; • permanently and totally disabled; • awaiting a decision on eligibility for Supplemental Security Income; and • ineligible for a category of cash assistance in which there is federal financial participation, except that an individual who has applied for SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be eligible during the period that the SSI or SSDI application is being processed.

The only mandatory group member is a spouse, who also lives in the home and meets all eligibility criteria. An IDA household cannot include an essential person or optional group member.

Residency 2.4.2 To be eligible for program benefits, a person must be a resident of the District of Columbia. See Part IV: Chapter 2, Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements: Residency, for additional information on establishing and verifying residency eligibility. Residency standards are intended to be consistent with those of the SSI program. As such, residents of public institutions are not eligible for IDA benefits. Residents of private institutions that provide mental health or substance abuse services in many cases may not be eligible for IDA benefits. A person who lives in a Community Residential Facility (CRF) located within the District of Columbia meets residency requirements.