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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |41 Effective Month: July 2025 200A.07.03 MANDATORY STATE SUPPLEMENT (MSS) Aged, blind and disabled individuals converted from state welfare rolls are deemed to have filed for SSI beginning January 1, 1974. Converted recipients receive SSI and a Mandatory State Supplement to maintain the 12/73 income levels of former assistance recipients and protect them from suffering a loss of income under the SSI Program. Certain recipients may receive MSS without an SSI payment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers MSS payments in Mississippi. MSS payments are included with SSI benefits each month or paid separately if the individual does not receive SSI. A MSS payment is shown as a “State Amount” and is treated the same as Income Based on Need for income purposes. Currently, there are no remaining state supplement cases. 200A.07.04 BLACK LUNG BENEFITS (BL) Black Lung benefits are paid to miners and their survivors under the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (FMSHA). BL benefit payments are counted as unearned income. Under the Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative Responsibilities Act, benefits under Part B and Part C of the FMSHA are paid by the Department of Labor (DOL). Part B benefits are generally paid on the third of the month. Part C benefits are generally paid on the fifteenth of the month. Both Part B and Part C BL benefits are subject to offsets (like Workers’ Compensation) and can be reduced due to the recovery of an overpayment. (Refer to 200A.08.04 Overpayment Recovery) In addition, Part C benefits may be reduced because of liens imposed by other federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The amount deducted from a Part C BL benefit because of garnishment (such as liens imposed by other federal agencies) is counted as unearned income. The amount of the BL benefit to charge as income is the amount paid after application of an offset (like Workers’ Compensation), but before the collection of any obligations of the recipient. Black Lung benefits can be verified by the individual’s own records, such as an award notice and check, if available. Contact the US Department of Labor if information from the client is unavailable.