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UPDATED: AUGUST 1999

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INCOME SSI-RELATED BUDGETING METHODOLOGY

ALLOCATION

Description: Allocation is the budgeting process that sets income aside for the needs of non-SSI-related children under the age of 18 and for the needs of parents (regardless of category) of SSI-related children.

The allocation amount to a non-SSI-related child is the difference between the Medicaid income level for a two-person household and the Medicaid income level for an individual.

NOTE: Although parents are financially responsible for their non- disabled children under the age of 21, allocation to dependent children ceases at age 18.

In determining eligibility for an SSI-related child, the allocation amount to a single parent is the federal benefit rate (FBR) for an individual. The allocation amount to a two-parent household is the FBR for a couple.

When an SSI-related parent and a non-SSI-related parent reside with an SSI-related child and at least one non-SSI-related child, the amount allocated to the parents in determining the SSI-related child's eligibility, is the federal benefit rate (FBR) for a couple living alone, plus the SSI State supplement for an individual living with others.

Policy: Allocation is the first step in the deeming process (See INCOME DEEMING) and the first step in the SSI-related budgeting process. Allocation is used when:

• there is a non-SSI-related adult, his/her SSI-related spouse and a non-SSI-related child living in the same household;

• there is an SSI-related child, a non-SSI-related child, and at least one parent (regardless of category) in the household who is not receiving cash assistance; or

• an SSI-related child is living with one or both parents (regardless of category) and those parents are not receiving cash assistance.

(MRG)