SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) BENEFITS (FSM)

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The SSA makes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to aged, blind, and disabled individuals, including retroactive monthly installment payments to representative payees for individuals whose disability is based on drug addiction and/or alcoholism.

Treatment: Unearned Income

When the entire household receives SSI payments, it is categorically income-eligible for food stamps.

Exceptions:

• That portion of SSI income which is withheld as a fee by a representative payee is excluded income. However, it is not subtracted from the total SSI amount prior to entering SSI income on EMS. (It is deducted from gross and net income using deduction code "571.")

• To qualify to collect a fee as an SSI representative payee, an organization must be a community-based, nonprofit social service agency which is bonded or licensed in New Hampshire. The payee may not collect from an SSI recipient a fee for more than the lesser of

- 10% of the monthly benefit amount or $50 for an individual in alcohol and/or drug abuse treatment, or

- 10% of the monthly benefit amount or $25 for all other SSI recipients.

• SSI retroactive payments which are directly deposited in a "dedicated account" at a bank or other financial institution for a disabled child under age 18 are Excluded Income.

Exception: the interest accrued on the account is considered Unearned income.