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Title 8: Medicaid Page 23 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter B: Application Processing Effective Date of Eligibility Revised October 17, 2025 Effective Date for SSI Recipients

Mr. M lives in Nebraska and files an application for SSI in January. In March, Mr. M moves to Iowa. Social Security processes Mr. M’s application in March and establishes SSI eligibility effective January 1. Even though Mr. M was determined SSI-eligible in March, he is not eligible for Iowa Medicaid in January and February because he was not an Iowa resident. The earliest Mr. E’s Iowa Medicaid eligibility can begin is March 1. Beginning with determinations made on or after August 22, 1996, the effective date of approval under the SSI program is the later of:  The month following the month of application for SSI, or  The month following the month the client first meets all SSI eligibility factors.

1. Mr. A files for SSI on January 15. Mr. A meets all SSI eligibility criteria for January. SSI payment is approved effective February 1. 2. Mr. B files for SSI on January 15. Mr. B does not meet all SSI eligibility criteria until February (turns 65 in February). The earliest date that SSI payment will begin is March 1 (the month following the month that all SSI eligibility factors are first met). For the month immediately before the effective date of approval, the Social Security Administration has already determined that the client meets all SSI eligibility factors. (The client does not receive an SSI payment due to SSI’s effective date of approval policy.) Thus, for Medicaid purposes, it is not necessary to verify eligibility factors independently for that month. Determine Medicaid eligibility for that month in the same manner as if the client was an SSI cash recipient.

1. Mr. A files for SSI on June 15. SSI cash payments are approved effective July 1. In order for SSI payments to begin effective July 1, the Social Security Administration must have determined that Mr. A met all SSI eligibility criteria for the month of June. Thus, it is not necessary to verify information independently for June. Mr. A is eligible for Medicaid in the month of June and ongoing (and potentially the retroactive months if he meets a category of eligibility for the retroactive period as defined in 8-A, Definitions).