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Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual Policy Manual Number: 130.005 Section: CHOICES Chapter: TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports August 01, 2024 Division of TennCare 5 At the time of PAE application, the MCO representative will act as a contact with the individual and her family or other authorized representative and will notify them of their obligation to report any changes in income to the SSA and to TennCare within 10 days. iii. SSI Cash Recipients in Long-Term Care Facilities When an SSI Cash recipient enters an institution, such as a NF, the SSA reduces the SSI cash benefit. The individual’s benefit is typically lowered to $30 a month. 1. SSI Cash Recipients with no other income When an SSI Cash recipient who has no other income (or less than $50 in other income) enters a LTCF, his SSI cash benefit will be reduced, but he will retain SSI eligibility. SSI Cash recipients in a LTCF do not have a patient liability. An SSI Cash recipient is eligible for CHOICES when she has the following documents: a. An approved, unexpired PAE; and b. MCO-LTSS Eligibility Checklist. 2. SSI Cash Recipients with at least $50 of other income SSI Cash recipients who enter an institution, and who have at least $50 in other income, will lose their SSI cash benefit eligibility at some point in the future. Once the individual’s SSI cash benefit terminates, she will also lose her SSI Medicaid eligibility. Once the SSA terminates the SSI cash benefit, the individual will be reviewed for Institutional Medicaid. Note: TennCare will rely on resource eligibility as determined by SSA and income information from the SDX as reported to and verified by SSA. A new TennCare application or additional verification of resource and income eligibility is not required, unless there is reason to believe that the individual has additional income or resources beyond what is known to SSA. c. Inactive SSI Enrollees Individuals who are eligible as Inactive SSI Enrollees must have eligibility established in an Institutional Medicaid category before CHOICES, an HCBS waiver, or Program of All-Inclusive Care (PACE) can be approved. Inactive SSI Enrollees must have: i. An approved, unexpired PAE; and ii. A completed TennCare Application.