Wisconsin Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Glossary of Terms
Caretaker Supplement:
An additional amount of monthly cash benefit provided to certain SSI recipients in
Wisconsin who reside with their dependent children. Wisconsin funds this benefit with a
combination of state dollars and its federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant.
Continuing Disability Review (CDR):
The process of obtaining, reviewing and re-establishing a finding of disability, based
on medical evidence and work activity, to determine whether SSI benefits should continue.
In Wisconsin, all initial and continuing disability determinations for federal and state
SSI are performed by the Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) within the Department of
Health and Family Services (DHFS).
Direct Deposit, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT):
Payment of SSI or Social Security cash benefits by automatic deposit into a
recipient’s savings, checking or check cashing account. In Wisconsin, recipients of
federal SSI who elect direct deposit must have their state SSI supplemental payments
directed to the same account.
Exceptional Expense Supplement:
An additional amount of monthly cash benefit provided to certain SSI state supplement
recipients. Eligibility is based on assessment and certification by county human or social
services agencies. Eligible persons need ongoing supportive services or care.
FoodShare Wisconsin
A program that helps people who have limited money buy the food they
need for good health.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services administers the
State's FoodShare
Wisconsin program. Eligibility for the program is determined and
benefits issued by county/tribal human or social service agencies (local
agency). The US Department of Agriculture is responsible for setting
the basic program rules so they are the same everywhere in the country.
"Grandfathered" State-Only SSI Recipient:
An individual who, in November 1995, was not receiving federal SSI cash benefits, but
was receiving SSI supplementary payments in Wisconsin. Approximately 17,500 individuals
were granted continued eligibility for state cash benefits and Medicaid.
In 2006, approximately 7,500 "grandfathered" state-only SSI
recipients remain.
Since January 1,
1996, non-grandfathered persons must be eligible for federal SSI cash benefits in order to
receive state SSI cash benefits.
Income:
SSI Income is:
- Earned Income:
Money received from wages, including from a sheltered workshop or work activity center,
self-employment earnings, and some royalties and honoraria.
- Unearned Income:
Money received from all other sources, e.g., gifts, interest, Social Security,
Veteran’s benefits or pensions. Unearned income also includes "in-kind"
income (free food, shelter, or clothing) and "deemed" income (some of the income
of a spouse, parent or sponsor of an alien.)
Medicaid (Title XIX, T-19,
Medical Assistance):
Health care coverage authorized by Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and
provided to all recipients of SSI in Wisconsin.
Medicare:
Health care coverage available to disabled, blind, or retired beneficiaries of Social
Security and their qualified dependents.
Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS):
Under an approved PASS, recipients of federal SSI may set aside income and/or resources
over a period of time to reach a goal to become financially self supporting.
The income
and resources set aside may later be used to obtain occupational training or education,
purchase occupational equipment, establish a business, etc.
The income and resources set
aside under a PASS are not counted when determining federal SSI eligibility or payment
amount.
Representative Payee:
Individual appointed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage the cash
benefits of a recipient of SSI or Social Security benefits, or both.
Resources:
Anything an SSI recipient owns, such as a bank account, stocks, business assets, real
property or personal property that can be used for support and maintenance.
Certain
resources are not counted when SSI eligibility is determined. Generally, a single
individual is restricted to $2,000 in resources; a married couple, $3,000.
Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
Monthly cash benefit administered by the federal Social Security Administration (SSA)
to retired or disabled workers and their qualified dependents. Beneficiaries must be 62
years of age or older, or disabled, and have enough work "credits" to be
qualified.
Recipients of SSI may be eligible for Social Security benefits, also, based on
their own work records or because they are qualified as a dependent of another Social
Security beneficiary.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
A cash benefit authorized by Title 16 of the federal Social Security Act. Eligibility
and benefits are administered by the federal Social Security Administration at field
offices throughout each state.
Eligibility is based on age (65+) or disability and
financial need. Eligibility is not based on prior work history or a family member’s
prior work history.
SSI State Supplement:
A cash benefit authorized by Ch. 49.77 and 49.775, Wis. Stats. This benefit is intended
to supplement the federal SSI benefit payment. Eligibility is based on current receipt of
federal SSI benefits or special "grandfathered" status as a recipient of the
state supplement only.
1619(b):
A provision of the federal Social Security Act, section 1619(b) allows continued
Medicaid coverage for recipients of SSI who have earnings from work.
Generally, a person
whose income is not high enough to replace the SSI, Medicaid coverage and any publicly
funded attendant care that he or she is receiving will be allowed to keep his or her
Medicaid.
State-Only 1619(b):
A procedural provision within Wisconsin’s program of SSI state supplementation
that permits grandfathered state-only recipients of SSI to retain Medicaid when they have
earnings from work.
Generally, a person whose income is not high enough to replace the
SSI, Medicaid coverage and any publicly funded attendant care that he or she is receiving
will be allowed to keep his or her Medicaid.
Last Revised: January 19, 2006
|
