Chicago, Illinois – The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently announced new regulations for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that will impact millions of beneficiaries across the country. This significant change aims to improve the financial support for individuals receiving SSI benefits.
Under the new regulations, relief in the form of food, categorized as support and maintenance in kind (ISM), will no longer be considered in the eligibility calculations for beneficiaries. Currently, relief for food and housing is viewed as unearned income, resulting in reduced benefits for recipients. The SSA believes this adjustment will lead to expanded eligibility for SSI and increased financial assistance for approximately 7.4 million residents benefiting from Supplemental Security Income.
This development, set to take effect on September 30, 2024, has been hailed as a crucial step towards addressing the complex and burdensome policies affecting individuals with disabilities who rely on SSI. Darcy Milburn, the director of Social Security and health care policy at The Arc, a nonprofit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasized the positive impact of this new rule in a statement to CNBC.
The Supplemental Security Income program provides crucial monthly payments to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and even children in need. Adults with disabilities can initiate their SSI application process online, while those under 18 with disabilities and individuals aged 65 and older without disabilities are required to schedule an appointment to visit their local Social Security office to apply for benefits.
Once approved, beneficiaries can expect to receive their monthly SSI payment on the first day of each month, with some exceptions for weekends when payments may be advanced to the previous Friday. This process aims to streamline assistance delivery and ensure that recipients have timely access to essential financial support from the government.