Slide 1:

What is the SSI program?

• SSI is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to aged (over 65) and disabled persons.
  • No work history is required to receive SSI.
• Is SSI the only federal disability benefit program?
  • No. Many homeless persons may qualify for SSDI - federal disability benefits based on work history.

Slide 2:

How Does the SSI Program Work?

• SSI applications are taken at federal Social Security offices located around the country
• Initial disability determinations are made at the state level, by the Disability Determination Service (DDS)
• DDS also handles initial appeals
  • DDS makes decisions based on paper file; they never see the applicant

Slide 3:

How Does the SSI Program Work? (2)

• If applicant loses initial appeal, and appeals a second time, they receive a hearing in front of a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• At the ALJ hearing, the client can give testimony – this provides the judge with an opportunity to see the person whose case they are evaluating
• After ALJ level cases can be appealed to SSA Appeals Council and then to Federal Court

Slide 4:

SSI and Chronic Homelessness

• Definition: people who have been homeless for at least one year and who are disabled; many in this population should be eligible for SSI benefits
  • 25%-30% of homeless persons have a mental disability
  • 46% of homeless persons have chronic physical health problems
• But ironically, too many people experiencing long term homelessness are not receiving SSI due to barriers
  • 40% of homeless persons may be qualified for SSI; 11% receive it

Slide 5:

SSI and Chronic Homelessness (2)

• How can disability benefits help end long term homelessness?
  • Determination of disability qualifies people for additional public and subsidized housing programs
  • SSI provides income (up to $552 per month nationally, plus supplements in many states) that can be used to pay rent in supportive housing or other public/private housing
    • SSDI can mean even more income

Slide 6:

SSI and Chronic Homelessness (3)

• In 38 states, receipt of even $1 in SSI means automatic receipt of Medicaid, to cover health care and other supportive service costs; in other states, a separate application for Medicaid is required, but receipt of SSI is either automatically or typically sufficient evidence to qualify a person for Medicaid
  • After a 24 month waiting period, receipt of SSDI brings access to Medicare
• SSI eligibility also guarantees food stamp eligibility, with a waiver of work requirements

Slide 7:

Barriers to Receipt of SSI

• Why don’t eligible people qualify for SSI?
  • Complexity of application forms
  • Lack of medical documentation of disability, or inability to access existing medical documentation
  • Inability to remain in contact with SSA
  • Length of disability determination process; it may take 1-2 years for an applicant to reach the hearing stage

Slide 8:

Tools To Help Access SSI

• SSI Manual
  • Being prepared by me, with help from Yvonne Perret and others, under contract to PRA and to SAMHSA
  • Intended for non-attorney case management staff, to walk them through the entire process of helping homeless persons apply for and receive SSI, as early in the application/appeals process as possible
  • Should be available this summer, at no cost
  • A follow-up training toolkit may also be produced; that will be available in early 2004

Slide 9:

Tools to Help Access SSI (2)

• SSI Outreach and Application Assistance Demonstration Grant funding
  • Fact sheet on this is included in binders
  • $8 million, to be distributed through a competitive grant process
  • Applications expected in August; awards in November
    • Notice to be published in Federal Register; will be reported in NLCHP listserv on SSI issues for homeless persons
  • Awards to last at least one year; renewal funding dependent on appropriations from Congress; both SSA and advocates are committed to ensuring that funding is made available

Slide 10:

Tools to Help Access SSI (3)

• Designed to replicate “Baltimore SSI project,” formerly directed by Yvonne, which she will discuss in a few minutes
• Key elements of programs likely to be funded include outreach to disabled homeless persons, development of medical evidence needed to establish disability under SSA’s rules, and case management assistance in completing SSI applications and in proceeding through the application and appeals process
• NLCHP will try to provide TA regarding applications

Slide 11:

Tools to Help Access SSI (4)

• SSI outreach and application training
  • Yvonne and I, as we are doing here at the Policy Academy, provide training and technical assistance on these issues
• SSI listserv
  • Operated by NLCHP
  • No cost to become a member
  • Keeps people updated on national, state, and local developments re: SSI and homelessness