SSA Expanding Definition of Public Assistance Households in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is finalizing a proposed rule to expand the definition of a public assistance (PA) household for purposes of our programs, particularly the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, to include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an additional means-tested public income-maintenance (PIM) program. SSA is also revising the definition of a PA household from a household in which every member receives some kind of PIM payment to a household that has both an SSI applicant or recipient, and at least one other household member who receives one or more of the listed PIM payments (the any other definition). If determined to be living in a PA household, inside in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) would no longer need to be developed. The final rule will decrease the number of SSI applicants and recipients charged with ISM from others within their household. In addition, SSA expects this rule to decrease the amount of income we would deem to SSI applicants and recipients because SSA will no longer deem as income from ineligible spouses and parents who live in the same household: the value of the SNAP benefits that they receive; any income that was counted or excluded in figuring the amount of that payment; or any income that was used to determine the amount of SNAP benefits to someone else. These policy changes reduce administrative burden for low-income households and SSA. DATES: This final rule will be effective September 30, 2024.

Attorney Brent Klender has represented Disabled Individuals with their claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for over 20 years.