| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | EXEMPTION OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY FROM PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION OF CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS |
DISCUSSION:
The Tax Relief and Health Care Act which was enacted on December 20, 2006 amended section 1903 (x)(2) of the Social Security Act to exempt individuals receiving disability insurance benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act or monthly benefits under section 202 of the Act, based upon such individual's disability. This exemption applies to individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits as well as individuals receiving Social Security Old Age or Social Security Survivors (OASDI) benefits if the individual is receiving such benefits based upon their own disability.
Retroactive back to July 1, 2006, any Medicaid applicant or recipient declaring to be a citizen or national who is receiving SSDI or receiving OASDI benefits based upon their own disability are not required to provide documentary proof of citizenship/identity. Receipt of benefits can be verified by using IIVE or an award letter from the Social Security Administration. The documentation used to verify receipt of SSDI or OASDI benefits must be filed in the case record.
Income maintenance on-line manual sections have been updated to reflect this policy change as well as the changes implemented in Income Maintenance Memorandum IM-#70 dated July 7, 2006.
NECESSARY ACTION:
Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
Exempt individuals receiving SSDI or OASDI benefits based upon such individual's disability from the citizenship/identity verification requirement.