- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- PATRICK LUEBBERING, ACTING DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- VERIFICATION OF DISABILITY
- MANUAL REVISION #40
1060.005.00
DISCUSSION:
This memorandum clarifies a change from previous Program and Policy guidance. Disregard all previous instruction to use the date of receipt of first benefit check as the date disability is established by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Current instructions are clarified below along with an example.
Disability is established the date SSA determines the individual became eligible for benefits and began receiving either Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Receiving includes months for which the applicant/participant receives a back pay.EXAMPLE: Mr. D applies for MHABD benefits in March 2015. He doesn’t currently receive SSDI or SSI and his disability has not been established by the Medical Review Team (MRT). He requested prior quarter coverage. May 10, 2015 Mr. D reports he has been approved for SSDI and will receive a back pay. He states SSA has determined his disability began in January 2015 when he had a heart attack. He will receive his first check in June 2015 and expects the back pay for January through May soon. He provides letters from the SSA to verify both the back pay and current benefits. Disability is established for Mr. D beginning in January 2015, based on the determination made by the SSA and the verified begin date for the back pay he will receive. December 2014 eligibility will require an MRT determination.
The Missouri Department of Social Services SVES-WIRE Third Party Query (IIVE) displays the date the SSA determined eligibility began. An individual is disabled if s/he is eligible and in current pay status. See attached IIVE for example.
EXCEPTION: The date shown on the IIVE as “ELIGIBLE:” under the SSI section does not reflect the date the individual was found to meet eligibility criteria. The approval letter or other verification from SSA will be needed to verify disability prior to first payment.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Accept the SSA eligibility date along with current pay status as verification of disability.
- Submit medical information to the MRT for disability determinations for any months prior to the SSA entitlement/eligibility date and first month of payment.
ATTACHMENTS:
PL/vb