The Supplemental Security Income Assistance Program (SSIAP) provides advocacy services to help physically and mentally disabled General Relief (GR) participants apply for SSI, obtain early SSI approval, and become self-sufficient. If approved, individuals are eligible for up to $805 on SSI versus $221 on GR. Additionally, SSI recipients are entitled to Medi-Cal. There are several steps in SSI advocacy.

INITIAL REFERRAL PROCESS

There are several ways to refer a GR participant to GR SSI Advocacy:

INITIAL INTERVIEW

During the initial interview, the participant meets with the district SSI Advocate/Case Manager to discuss the following: 

•  The participant's current SSI status (e.g., there may already be an application in process);
•  If the participant is already in the SSI process, whether he/she has another representative or would like  the  advocate to be the representative;
•  The participant's potential eligibility for SSI (e.g., that technical requirements, such as residence and  immigration status, are met);
•  Sources of medical records (e.g., doctors and hospitals) to document the disability; and
•  Sources of non-medical information about the participant's functionality (e.g., third party  documentation).
  
  

SSI APPLICATION

If there is no pending SSI claim or an SSI disability determination has not been made in the last 90 days, an SSI application is initiated. The SSI Advocate assists the participant to complete all the required forms, explains the participant's reporting responsibilities, and informs the participant about the availability of transportation funds for any medical or SSI-related appointments. The application is then filed by the SSI Advocate with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Under federal regulations, participants are eligible for SSI benefits effective with the first day of the month following the SSI application date. To prevent loss of SSI benefits, SSI Advocates must protect the SSI application date if rescheduling an SSI advocate appointment. SSI Advocates should use the date of the ABPSSI 15, SSIAP Screening Form, as the protected SSI application date.

Throughout the application process, the SSI Advocate remains in regular contact with the participant, SSA and the State's Disability and Adult Programs Division (DAPD, which determines the participant's disability). In this way, the SSI Advocate can assist the participant to remain in compliance with the SSI claim requirements and liaison with SSA and DAPD, as needed, on behalf of the participant.

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION

If the SSI application is denied, the first appeal is known as the request for reconsideration. The request for reconsideration must be filed within 60 days of receipt of the application denial notice. The SSI Advocate assists the participant in filing the request.

The reconsideration consists of SSA and DAPD staff (not involved in the first decision) reviewing the medical documentation already on file plus any additional evidence.

SSI HEARING REPRESENTATION

If the request for reconsideration is denied, the final step is to request a hearing with SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals. This request must be filed within 60 days after the reconsideration denial.

After the reconsideration is denied, unless the participant chooses other/self-representation, the SSI Advocate refers the participant to the County's contracted SSI hearing contractor. The contractor meets with the participant, completes all required forms, requests the hearing with SSA, and represents the participant at the hearing. There is no charge to the participant for these services.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
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Supportive services are provided to assist participants to overcome barriers in completing the SSI process. Supportive services include referrals to medical and mental health care, as well as, transportation issuances for any medical or SSI-related appointment.

NONCOMPLIANCE

Individuals are tracked through each step of SSIAP. Physically disabled individuals who fail to comply with any required activity (e.g., miss SSI Advocate appointments) become ineligible for GR and will be terminated.

NOTE: Mentally disabled individuals who do not comply with SSIAP will be terminated whereabouts unknown; however, no action is taken to terminate the GR case if a mentally disabled individual refuses to comply with SSIAP requirements.

DISABILITY REDESIGN

The SSA is phasing out its Disability Redesign pilot. The pilot, which is an SSI application process, was introduced in the Los Angeles West and Los Angeles North SSA offices. These offices accepted SSI applications filed October 1, 1999 or later. The new SSI applications filed by SSI Advocates, which were affected by the testing process, are being served by the following districts: Metro Special, South Special, Rancho Park , Glendale, Southwest Special and South Central.