Social Security Administration issues new rule preventing food assistance from affecting payouts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will implement a new rule aimed at removing barriers and increasing monthly payouts for those who receive certain government benefits, the government agency announced Wednesday.
Beginning at the end of next September, the agency will no longer include food assistance when calculating one’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly payments.
Those who qualify for SSI benefits include adults and children with a disability or blindness and adults 65 years and older who have limited income and resources. These benefits help cover the costs of basic resources including housing, food, medicine, and clothing.
About 7.4 million Americans are currently recipients of SSI or Social Security payments, according to the SSA’s February data.
To receive SSI benefits, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, which are calculated under a rule titled “In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM).” Under the current rules, food, shelter or both are counted as unearned income, which can impact an individual’s eligibility or lessen their payments.
Starting Sept. 30 of this year, the agency will no longer include food in its ISM calculations, meaning an applicant’s history of informal food assistance from friends, family or other support networks will no longer hinder their benefits.
“A vital part of our mission is helping people access crucial benefits, including SSI,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security. “Simplifying our policies is a common-sense solution that reduces the burden on the public and agency staff and helps promote equity by removing barriers to accessing payments.”
The SSA said the change will ease the process for applicants as they will have less information to report about food assistance and will see more similar payments from month to month. It will also increase the efficiency of the agency, with less time spent on tracking beneficiary’s food assistance.
The maximum SSI payments in 2024 are currently $943 for individuals, $1,415 for couples and $472 for essential persons. Those who qualify for SSI generally include those who do not earn more than $1,971 from work each month and have no more than $2,000 in resources per person, or $3,000 per couple. These resources include things like vehicles or money in bank accounts, per the SSA.
Date: |
Filter
-
The Biden administration issued new rules that crack down on power-plant pollution and could force many coal plants to close unless they make costly upgrades.
The Biden administration issued new rules that crack down on power-plant pollution and could force many coal plants to close unless they make costly upgrades.The Wall Street Journal - World - Joe Biden -
The government can help people in need —and the Social Security Administration just proved it
It turns out simply using the U.S. mail is a powerful way to help vulnerable Americans.The Hill - Politics -
New rules on coal power plants target pollution 'pushing our planet to the brink,' EPA Administrator Michael Regan says
New rules on coal power plants target pollution 'pushing our planet to the brink,' EPA Administrator Michael Regan saysABC News - Health -
Social Security’s COLA formula could change under new proposal — and mean higher benefits for seniors
Using a different index to measure Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment could better reflect senior spendingMarketWatch - Business -
Social Security’s COLA formula could change under new proposal — and mean higher benefits for seniors
Using a different index to measure Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment could better reflect senior spendingMarketWatch - Business -
How a Supreme Court Immunity Ruling Could Affect Trump’s Election Case
In arguments on Thursday, the justices appeared to signal two ways they could help Donald Trump as he fights charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election.The New York Times - Top stories - Donald Trump -
EPA issues toughest rule yet on power plant emissions
Coal-fired power plants would have to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a new EPA rule the industry says would make the grid less reliable. It's likely to face court challenges.CBS News - Top stories -
EPA issues toughest rule yet on power plant emissions
Coal-fired power plants would have to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a new EPA rule the industry says would make the grid less reliable. It's likely to face court challenges.CBS News - Politics -
Belarus claims it prevented drone attacks from Lithuania. Vilnius rejects the allegations
The head of the top security agency in Belarus has claimed that the country has prevented attempted drone strikes from Lithuania that targeted the capital, Minsk, and surrounding areasABC News - World -
Few small popular SUVs succeed in new crash prevention test
Only one vehicle of the 10 small SUVs tested earned a good rating.CBS News - Top stories
More from The Hill
-
Sunday shows preview: College protests over war in Gaza take center stage
The rise of pro-Palestinian protests that have sprung up at college campuses across the nation will likely be the focus of this week’s Sunday news shows. The protests, focused on aversion to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and abating the ...The Hill - Politics -
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized for testing after return to New York jail
Ex-movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was hospitalized for a bevy of tests after returning to a New York jail shortly after the state’s highest court overturned his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction, according to his attorney. Weinstein’s 2020 ...The Hill - Politics - New York -
They were once popular social media sites — what happened?
How many did you use?The Hill - Politics -
White House Correspondents’ guests prepare for the night at annual Garden Brunch
The annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch welcomed hundreds of guests at the Beall-Washington House on Saturday as many squeezed in one last get together before the main event later in the evening. Celebrities, journalists, politicians ...The Hill - Politics -
It’s time to be clear-eyed about the deceptive Gaza encampment movement
It is impossible to square the statements of those actually in the encampments with the euphemistic labels outsiders are putting on them.The Hill - Politics