4.1 SSI-E And Other Benefits

4.1.3 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEP)

4.1.4 Medical Assistance/ BadgerCare Plus

4.1.1 Subsidized Housing

If a person who lives in federally subsidized housing begins receiving SSI-E, his or her rent may increase because rental payments in subsidized housing are set at 30% of income.

Since the E Supplement is countable income for purposes of subsidized housing, 30% of the increased income attributable to the E Supplement will likely be paid as rent.

It may be possible to reduce a rent increase due to the E Supplement if the person documents that the additional income is used for medical expenses or for disability-related expenses that enable the recipient or a resident family member to be employed.

Exact policy and procedure regarding countability of SSI-E income should be obtained from the agency which provides the housing subsidy.

Persons who are certified for the SSI-E payment should be advised (and assisted) to report this additional income to the housing authority immediately upon first receipt. The housing authority generally reviews the income of tenants on a yearly basis.

If income changes during the year are not promptly reported, the person could accrue a considerable back payment obligation.

Suggested recommendations for an SSI-E recipient living in subsidized housing are:

When you report your higher SSI-E income to the housing rental agent, indicate that these funds are intended to pay for medical and/or disability-related expenses and that you will be keeping track of receipts.
Get and keep receipts for expenses related to your disability.
If you believe, but are unsure whether an expense is related to your disability, get a receipt. The worst that can happen is it won’t be counted, but if you don’t get a receipt you will never know if it would have counted.
Tell your housing rental agent that you have expenses that should be deducted from your income and give the person the information you collected.
Ask your case manager for assistance.

4.1.2 FoodShare (formerly Food Stamps)

Since 1992, SSI and SSI-E recipients have been eligible to apply for FoodShare. Prior to 1992, SSI recipients were not eligible for FoodShare, as the $10 cash equivalent of the minimum FoodShare benefit was included in the SSI check instead.

In 1992, the state supplement was reduced by $10 a month reflecting the end of this " cashout" arrangement.

SSI and SSI-E recipients residing alone or only with other SSI recipients (not in substitute care) can now apply for FoodShare at the local Social Security office (exit DHS) or at the county social/human services department.

Such persons are eligible for at least the $10 minimum FoodShare allotment.

SSI and SSI-E recipients residing with others not receiving SSI must apply for FoodShare at the county department.

Their income and assets will normally be considered together with other household members in determining the household’s eligibility for and amount of FoodShare.

Special rules apply to SSI and SSI-E recipients in substitute care. However, in all cases the county agency processes the FoodShare application (even if taken at SSA), and is required to provide a decision within 30 days.

If a FoodShare recipient, whether currently receiving SSI or not, is certified for SSI-E, 30% of the additional income will, other things being equal, be offset by a comparable reduction in FoodShare benefits.

This is because 30% of the additional income is considered available for food, so the allotment is reduced by that amount.

The E Supplement is counted like other unearned income in calculating the FoodShare allotment. The reverse is not true, however. FoodShare benefits are not countable income for purposes of SSI eligibility.

4.1.3 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEP)

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides funds to eligible low and moderate income households to help offset the cost of home heating. Benefits are paid once per heating season (October 1 through May 15).

In addition to the regular heating assistance benefit there are provisions for emergency assistance in the event a household is without heating fuel or faces disconnection from utility service.

Households apply for this assistance through their county social/human services department. Eligibility is based on household size, income level, and household heating costs.

SSI and SSI-E recipients must meet the same eligibility criteria as all other applicants.

The household’s gross income in the three months prior to application can be no more than 150% of the poverty level, unless all household members are recipients of SSI, TANF or Food Share in each of the three months.

The E Supplement (but not the federal SSI or basic state supplement amounts) is disregarded as income in determining eligibility for energy assistance, so receipt of the E Supplement does not adversely affect energy assistance eligibility.

Residents of subsidized housing, including SSI recipients, whose heat is included in their rent do not qualify for energy assistance as they are not considered to have an energy burden.

Subsidized housing residents who pay their own heat may qualify for a benefit if heating costs are sufficient to determine there is a heating burden.

Persons in substitute care in a CBRF, group home, adult family home or foster home are not eligible for an energy assistance program.

4.1.4 Medical Assistance/ BadgerCare Plus

All SSI recipients, including persons certified for the E Supplement, are automatically eligible for Medical Assistance (also called Medicaid, MA, or Title XIX).

SSI recipients are eligible for all the services covered by the Medical Assistance program.

For MA recipients, including those eligible because of receipt of SSI or SSI-E, some services may require the recipient to pay a portion of the cost of the service (a "co-payment") and some services require Medical Assistance approval before they are provided ("prior authorization") for the Medical Assistance to pay for them.

This page last updated in Release Number: 09-01

Release Date: 04/17/09

Effective Date: 04/17/09