Transcript Slide 1

MINNESOTA’S
COMMUNITY LIVING
SUPPORTS
Homelessness 101
February 2014
Adult Income Support Programs
• General Assistance (GA)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
• MSA Housing Assistance
• Group Residential Housing (GRH)
Child Care Assistance
Waivers
GA
MSA
Local Programs
Provide for basic needs: food, shelter,
clothing, utilities, etc.
Rental
Assistance
GRH
Supportive
Housing
MFIP
SNAP SSDI
MA
MSA Housing Assistance
SSI
Energy
Assistance
The DHS Combined Manual
Applying for public benefit programs
• Combined Application Form (CAF)
• ApplyMN (https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov)
• In-person or telephone interview may be required
• Cash and Food Support benefits are paid on EBT card;
GRH is paid to a vendor on the client’s behalf
• Applicants who appear to be eligible for SSI must sign an
interim assistance agreement (DHS 1795)
• SSI reimburses the state for any GA or GRH received
during retroactive SSI eligibility
General Assistance (GA)
• Primary safety net for single adults and childless couples
who are unable to provide for themselves
• Average monthly caseload of 23,100 in 2013
• Maximum monthly benefit is
$203 (individual)
• $260 for a couple, $250 for minor not living with parent
GA Eligibility Criteria
• Income less than $203/month or $260/month for a couple
after deductions and disregards:
• Earned income disregard
• $50/month (everyone); 1:1 reduction after
• Self-Sufficiency Account (residents of GRH/IRT)
• Work expense deduction
• Assets less than $1,000
• Excluding things like the home in which the person
lives, personal property, one burial space, burial
accounts up to $1,000, vehicle valued up to $1,500
and property essential for self-support
GA Bases of Eligibility
• Permanent or temporary illness (medical
opinion form)
• Placement In A Facility (often GRH)
• Unemployable (vocational assessment)
• Developmental Disability or Mental Illness
(qualified professional)
• Advanced Age (55 or older)
• SSDI/SSI Application/Appeal Pending
GA Bases of Eligibility
• Performing Court Ordered Services (prevented from
working at least 4 hours/day)
• Learning Disability
• Women In Battered Women’s Shelter (Department of
Public Safety contract)
• Caring For Another Person (no one else able)
• English Not Primary Language (over 18 & in high
school at least ½ time)
• Under age 18 and not members of a family
• Drug/Alcohol Addiction (medically certified as material
factor in disability)
• Displaced Homemaker Full Time Student
GA: Other Things
• Eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
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(SNAP) (formerly known as Food Support or Food Stamps)
GA is paid on an EBT card
Must apply for all other potential benefits
Monthly reporting required if earned income
Report changes within 10 days
Annual recertification
Emergency General Assistance (EGA)
• Emergency financial assistance
• Emergency need that threatens health or safety
• Net income under 200% FPG previous year
• Cannot exceed 30 days
• Can be used only once in 12 months
• Annual county allocation
• Aid is subject to availability of funds
• Aid available could be up to amount needed to resolve emergency,
based on availability of funds
SSI & SSDI
• Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)
Federal cash assistance benefit for people who are
aged (over 65), blind, or disabled who have limited
income and resources. The Federal Government funds
SSI from general tax revenue.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Safety net for people who are blind or disabled and have
worked enough quarters (and paid into the Social
Security trust fund) to obtain “insured” status.
Dependents may also be eligible for benefits from
another’s earnings record.
SSI Maximum Monthly Benefit
$721
(in 2014, individual)
($1,082 for an eligible couple)
Known as “Federal Benefit Rate” or FBR
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
• Monthly cash supplement to Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) payment
• Average monthly caseload of 30,350 persons receiving
MSA in 2013
Maximum monthly benefit
couples)
$81(individual) ($111 for
• Additional $ for special needs
MSA Eligibility Criteria
• Must be receiving Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) or would be except for excess
income
• If not receiving SSI must be
• Age 65 or older
• Blind, or
• Disabled
MSA Special Needs
• Special Diets
• Restaurant Meals
• Guardian/Conservator Fees
• Representative Payee
• Home Repairs
• Household Furnishings & Appliances
MSA Housing Assistance Eligibility
 Must be:
• Eligible for MSA (or would be upon discharge from
institution), and
• Under age 65 (grandfathering allowed), and
• Relocating from institution, or
• Eligible for self-directed supports (CDCS), or
• Waiver recipient living in their own place
 Monthly shelter costs must exceed 40% of gross
monthly income
 Must apply for subsidized housing
Group Residential Housing
• Income supplement paid on behalf of individuals
for “room and board” in licensed or registered
settings (very diverse!)
• GRH can pay for services in some cases
• More than 20,000 people use GRH monthly
• $130,000,000 spent on GRH in FY2013
Group Residential Housing
• GRH Housing Rate
(Room & Board, Rate 1, Base Rate, MSA Equivalent Rate)
• $877 maximum per month
• Pays for Rent, Utilities, Food
• NOT services, clothing, medical costs
• Individuals pay their countable income
first, then GRH pays the remainder
Group Residential Housing
• Eligibility for GRH Housing Rate
• At least 18 years old
and
• Meet a Basis of Eligibility for SSI
or
• Meet a Basis of Eligibility for GA
Group Residential Housing
• Eligibility for GRH Housing Rate
• Income: Less than $972/month
• Assets:
• SSI Basis of Eligibility: $2,000
• GA Basis of Eligibility: $1,000
(can add $2,000 for those with a self-sufficiency savings account)
Group Residential Housing
• GRH Supplemental Service Rate
(Service Rate, Rate 2)
• $482.84 (or higher if Legislature authorized
an exception)
• Only if not eligible for waiver/PCA services
• Only certain settings are eligible
• Moratorium on new service rate GRH beds
(unless Housing First)
John Petroskas
MN Department of Human Services
651-431-5644
[email protected]
[email protected]
OTHER RESOURCES
• WWW.DHS.STATE.MN.US
Click “People We Serve > Adults > Economic Supports”
•
Applymn.dhs.mn.gov – apply online for
cash programs, childcare, emergency help,
and food support
•
Senior Linkage Line
•
Disability Linkage Line (www.DB101.org)
1-866-333-2466
1-800-333-2433