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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: MSSI, SFP 52 1440.1401 VA Pensions (MSSI, SFP) Wartime veterans, their spouses and/or survivors may be entitled to certain veterans' benefits including the following:

1. VA compensation, 2. VA pensions, and 3. Allowances for dependents.

Veterans in need of nursing home care, the regular aid and attendance of another person or special services for the permanently housebound may be entitled to additional benefits such as:

1. Aid and attendance allowance, 2. Housebound allowance, and 3. Unreimbursed medical expenses.

Individuals applying for MSSI or SFP must apply for these additional benefits. Verification that the applicant/recipient has applied for these benefits must be received before approving the case.

Exception: For ICP, if the applicant/recipient was not placed at the time of application, the case may still be approved if the PAS:

1. gets supervisory authorization, and 2. has all other required verifications needed for approval (including verification of placement), and 3. sets an expected change for the following month to verify that the application for VA A&A was filed.

Note: If the applicant/recipient was placed at the time of the original application or shortly thereafter, the eligibility specialist must verify the VA application was filed before approving the case. 1440.1402 VA Improved Pension (MSSI, SFP) The Improved Pension Program, initiated December 31, 1978, may offer veterans additional benefits to the previous Old Law Pension Program. Therefore, all applicants/recipients who receive a VA pension under the old law must apply for the improved pension under the new law.

Exception: If applying for these benefits under the new law would reduce the amount of benefits received, community Medicaid recipients are not required to apply.

All applicants/individuals who currently do not receive VA benefits but appear potentially eligible must apply for the VA improved pension. 1440.1500 RECEIPT OF OTHER BENEFITS (MSSI, SFP) Individuals must receive or be eligible for benefits from other programs as a condition of eligibility for specific types of assistance. 1440.1503 Receipt of SSI (MSSI, SFP) Individuals must receive or be approved for SSI as a condition of eligibility for the following coverage groups:

1. For OSS, individuals must meet this requirement if they are potentially eligible for SSI. 2. For Protected Medicaid, individuals must have received SSI and Social Security Disability benefits in the same month prior to cancellation of SSI.