136.1 General Policy

Interim assistance for State Blind Pension (SBP) is granted to individuals:

Who have applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) until they receive their first SSI payment; or

Whose SSI is suspended pending a renewal.

These individuals must:

Meet all SBP eligibility requirements; and

Agree to repay the SBP they receive while the SSI payment is pending.

55 Pa. Code § 257.21(a)

55 Pa. Code § 183.13(b)

Certain SSI recipients may also qualify for interim assistance if their SSI or other income check is lost, stolen, or delayed, or if a change in circumstances would entitle them to a higher SSI payment.

NOTE: This chapter does not cover interim assistance pending a fair hearing. For that information, see Supplemental Handbook Chapter 870 Appeal and Fair Hearing .

Updated September 24, 2025, replacing August 23, 2021