DSL INFO MEMO 2000-03

February 16, 2000

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Bureau Directors
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
Program Office Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators

From:
Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Division of Supportive Living

Re: Wisconsin Sales Tax Rebate

During 2000, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue will distribute a Wisconsin Sales Tax Rebate. Everyone who filed a 1998 state income tax return or filed for a 1998 Homestead Credit by
October 15, 1999 received a rebate check automatically. However, even people who did not file 1998 income taxes in Wisconsin can receive a rebate check. The only Wisconsin residents who are ineligible for a check are those who were claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 1998 federal income tax and whose Wisconsin adjusted gross income was less than $5,000, or who did not owe any Wisconsin tax.

These eligibility rules allow most recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for the rebate. Form STR (attached) has been created to make this application. The attached form may be duplicated. Application forms for the Wisconsin Sales Tax Rebate must be mailed no later than June 30, 2000.

Information about the sales tax rebate has been sent to the Wisconsin Aging Network to inform elderly people about this opportunity. Please inform clients in your programs, especially those who are elderly or have disabilities, about this opportunity.

For further information about applying for the Wisconsin Sales Tax Rebate, contact toll-free at 1-877-9 Rebate (1-877-973-2283) between 7 AM and 4:30 PM., Monday through Friday .

While various public programs and sub-programs each have unique income and asset rules, the major programs of public assistance that are administered by the Department of Health and Family Services will treat the rebate as follows:

Medicaid: The tax rebate payment will be disregarded in determining individual or family Medicaid/BadgerCare eligibility.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicaid: Disregarded when income is determined. Counted as an asset (if retained.)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid for Individuals Who Receive Only a State SSI Payment: Disregarded when income is determined. Counted as asset (if retained).

Caretaker Supplemental: Disregarded when income of household is determined. Counted as asset in household (if retained).

Please share this information with your staff so they can inform eligible persons. Thank you!

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