Social Security recently paid more than $1.1 million to 400 people with terminal diseases, according to an underutilized Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provision.
SSI benefits those with limited income and resources who have a visual impairment, handicap, or are 65 or older. 400 persons were authorized for SSI owing to terminal illnesses that prevent them from working. The conditions include chronic heart failure, renal disease, leukemia, and other malignancies.
We try to identify disability applications involving terminal illness as early as possible and to expedite them at every step of the process.
What are underpayments?
If a client is granted for SSI, we may owe them money for previous months, usually from the application date to the approval date. We term this an underpayment. According to the Social Security Act, substantial underpayments must be released in three 6-month increments.
However, there are certain exceptions to the installment requirement. We may be able to release underpayments in full, including for individuals with terminal diseases.
Despite prioritizing these applications, we still had underpayments for installments. SSA identified the delay and released almost $1.1 million in back pay.
In 2024, the maximum monthly SSI federal benefit rate for an individual is $943, with some states covering additional costs. More than 55% of SSI beneficiaries earn no money other than SSI.Payments made on time are crucial since they assist pay for necessities such as food, housing, clothing, and medicine. Waiting for past-due payments may result in additional financial hardship.
People suffering from terminal illnesses require even more urgent care. We want to ensure that they receive their back payments in full, rather than waiting up to a year. We are examining our policies and procedures to improve case identification, expedite processing, and speed up payments. It’s the correct thing to do.
Exceptions to the installment process
We’re also trying to increase awareness about other exceptions to the SSI installment process. For example, we can increase the amount of the first and second installments if the person receiving SSI has certain debts and expenses.
Qualifying debts are related to:
1. Food, clothing, and shelter, including:
- Rent or mortgage payments.
- Property taxes or insurance.
- Utilities.
2. Medically necessary services, supplies or equipment, or medicine, including the purchase of:
- A car.
- A mobile phone.
- A computer.
We can also increase the amount of the first and second installment payments for expenses related to:
- The purchase of a home, or
- Medically necessary services, supplies, or equipment.
We recently revised this policy to make it easier for people to receive increased installment payments. The person receiving SSI is no longer required to provide documentation of outstanding debts and expenses. We can accept their allegations.
Be sure to regularly read our blog to learn about other important changes. For example, in an earlier blog, we announced a policy update that allows us to release first installment payments faster.
This year, as SSI celebrate the 50th anniversary of the implementation of the SSI program, we’ll continue to share with you more ways we are expanding access to the program, simplifying the application process, and improving the accuracy and timeliness of underpayments.
For more information about SSI and to find out if you or someone you know may be eligible, visit our SSI page.
