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BEM 150 1 of 9 MA FOR SSI RECIPIENTS BPB 2024-001 1-1-2024
BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT POLICY Medicaid (MA) Only Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a cash benefit for needy individuals who are aged (at least 65), blind or disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines SSI eligibility. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) supplements federal SSI payments based on the client’s living arrangement. Thus, in this item SSI recipient means a Michigan resident who receives the basic federal payment, the state supplement, or both. To be automatically eligible for Medicaid (MA) an SSI recipient must both: • Be a Michigan resident. • Cooperate with third-party resource liability requirements. MDHHS administers MA for SSI recipients, including a continued MA eligibility determination when SSI benefits end. Ongoing MA eligibility begins the first day of the month of SSI enti- tlement. Some clients also qualify for retroactive (retro) MA cover- age for up to three calendar months prior to SSI entitlement; see BAM 115. The following individuals are considered SSI recipients for MA pur- poses even though they do not receive an SSI cash grant: • Individuals appealing termination of SSI because SSA has determined they are no longer disabled or blind. MDHHS local offices are responsible for determining initial and continuing eligibility; see MA while appealing disability termination in this item. • 1619 Recipients - Certain blind or disabled SSI recipients who work and have too much income for an SSI cash grant may be eligible for continued MA coverage. SSA determines eligibility. These recipients are the same as other SSI recipients in Bridges.