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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 11/2019

INCOME FROM RSDI AND SSI

0017.15.45

● To determine retroactive MSA eligibility, budget retroactive RSDI as income for the period covered by the pended application that corresponds with the period covered by the retroactive benefits.

If the client has a representative payee who does not live in the client's household, presume the gross RSDI is available to the client unless the client can demonstrate it is not. If the client demonstrates that part of the payment is unavailable, count only that portion available to the client in cash or spent on behalf of the client or the unit.

Ask the Social Security Administration in writing to change the representative payee in either of the following circumstances:

● The representative payee is diverting the RSDI benefit for use by the payee or someone other than the client.

● You believe the representative payee is not using the RSDI benefit in an appropriate way to meet the client's needs.

GA: Count the gross amount of SSI and RSDI awarded to the client as unearned income.

Do not count retroactive SSI and RSDI installment payments to an SSI recipient living in the household.

GRH: For aged, blind, or disabled clients:

● For SSI recipients, count the client’s Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) as gross unearned income, even if the actual SSI check is less. See 0029.06.03 (Supplemental Security Income Program).

● For clients who are not current SSI recipients due to excess income:

- Do not count retroactive SSI installment payments as income.

- Count current RSDI payments as income in the month received.

- Count the gross amount of RSDI, even if SSA recoups a portion or the client returns part of the payment to SSA to repay an overpayment.

For all other adults, count the gross amount of RSDI awarded to the client as unearned income.