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If all financial and non-financial conditions of eligibility are met, and funds are currently available, the SSR will approve benefits.

Period of Eligibility 2.6.7

An applicant's period of eligibility for IDA benefits begins on the first of the month following the month in which the application for IDA benefits was filed, or the month following the month that his/her application for SSI was filed with SSA, whichever is later.

The period of eligibility will end either at the end of the month in which SSA makes a final decision on the application for SSI benefits, if the decision is to deny the application, or at the end of the month in which SSA begins payment of benefits, if the decision is to approve benefits.

The final decision of SSA is the decision by the Appeals Council of the Office of Hearings and Appeals, or the denial by the Disability Determination Division or Administrative Law Judge, if the IDA recipient fails, without good cause, to file a timely appeal from that decision.

Application Denials 2.6.8

The application for IDA will be denied if:

• the applicant does not cooperate with IMA in providing the information needed to determine eligibility; • conditions of non-financial eligibility have not been met; • income and/or assets exceed established limits; Example 1 Ms. Hamilton applies for IDA benefits on February 2, and brings proof that she filed for SSI on February 12. She establishes eligibility for IDA.Ms Hamilton is approved for IDA benefits effective March 1. Example 2 Mr. O'Brien applies for IDA benefits on March 23, and brings proof that he filed for SSI on April 3. He establishes eligibility for IDA. Mr. O’Brien is approved for IDA benefits effective May 1. Example 1 Mr. Boyd's initial SSI payment is sent on March 3. His IDA benefits end effective March 31.

Example 2 MSSA makes it final decision on August 7 to deny SSI benefits for Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell’s IDA benefits end effective August 31.