- TO:
- ALL COUNTY AND REGIONAL STAFF
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND AND BLIND PENSION BENEFIT REDUCTION
DISCUSSION:
This memorandum will explain the reason for the reduction to Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) and Blind Pension (BP) grants effective January 2015.
The money for SAB and BP payments comes from a special property tax that is deposited into the “Blind Pension Fund” (the Fund). The maximum monthly SAB/BP grant is set each year, using a formula prescribed in law and authorized by Missouri General Assembly through the appropriations process (RSMo 209.040.4). Another law requires the monthly SAB/BP payment to be lowered when the amount of money in the Fund is not enough to pay all eligible pensioners (RSMo 209.040.2). The formula for calculating the reduction amount in the monthly payment is also set out in the law (RSMo 209.040.2 and 13 CSR 13.030).
Current estimates are the Fund will run out of money in June 2015 if no action is taken. The decision has been made to reduce the monthly grant beginning in January 2015 instead of ending all payments in June 2015. Each SAB/BP grant will be reduced by $33 beginning January 2015. If a recipient is eligible for $33 or less, their grant will be reduced to $0 beginning in January 2015.
SAB/BP recipients will continue to receive the reduced amount until further notice. This applies to everyone who receives a cash grant from SAB or BP.
There are no hearing rights for this reduction because it is a mass adjustment required by law.
All SAB and BP recipients were sent a notice November 10, 2014 to explain this reduction. If customers contact the local office wanting additional information about the grant reduction, please refer them to the Family Support Division Customer Relations Unit at (573) 751-8959 or to the Department of Social Services website: https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/blindp.htm or https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/sblind.htm. The recipients will also receive a MO HealthNet Action Notice (FA-460) after the mass adjustment is completed November 14, 2014.
Several cases were identified with overdue ophthalmologist reviews. These cases have been updated to show a review due in March 2015, to prevent the cases from ending the SAB/BP eligibility. The Springfield Processing Center will begin the review process for these cases.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
AC/VB