Page 143
MS 0590 (3) Send a request for information to the recipient requesting verification of entitled benefit and convert as appropriate. Use the "Active Cases with Black Lung, Railroad Retirement, or Veterans Income" listing to identify Worker Portal cases. Black Lung recipients usually receive a cost-of-living increase; this can be verified through the annual Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for Black Lung. 4. Social Security Benefit If an increase in benefits is authorized by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the increase becomes effective January 1st of each year. Verify RSDI entitlement amount by the Beneficiary Data Exchange (BENDEX) inquiry or benefit verification letter at the next recertification. When BENDEX inquiry is accessed to obtain the RSDI benefit amount, use the amount shown as "NET". "NET" is the amount before the Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) deduction. For all programs except MA, DO NOT round. Enter the actual “NET” RSDI amount on Worker Portal. When the RSDI “NET” amount is entered for MA, the cents MUST be dropped when entering the amount in the ‘Amount Per Frequency’ field. If there is an overpayment of RSDI retained in order to pay back an RSDI claim, for SNAP cases only, subtract the current overpayment amount from the “NET” amount to calculate the amount of RSDI to be counted in the case. Contact the individual for verification if unable to verify benefit amount from these sources.] D. Use the following timeframes for completing manual conversions: 1. When a household applies in January, consider the new amount for issuances in January and thereafter. 2. Reflect the increased benefit amount in an active case as follows: a. [MA and KTAP cases no later than January. b. SNAP cases no later than the March issuance.] 3. For any cases not converted to the new Federal benefit level by the due date, complete a claim.