- ORIGINAL NEWS
Social Security Administration to remove food assistance as barrier to accessing certain benefits
- SUMMARY
Beginning September 30th, a groundbreaking change will remove food assistance from consideration when calculating eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
This means SSI recipients can now receive food or meals from friends and family without affecting their monthly payments.
Currently, any type of in-kind support, including food, can be counted as unearned income, potentially reducing SSI benefits or impacting eligibility.
However, under the new rule, food assistance will be disregarded, eliminating this concern for beneficiaries.
This change is crucial for the over 7 million Americans who rely on SSI.
According to disability advocates, it relieves a significant burden and ensures that recipients can maintain their financial security.
In addition, the new rule aligns with a broader goal by the Social Security Administration to simplify policies, reduce paperwork, and increase equity.
It may also lead to fewer overpayments or underpayments of benefits, providing further financial stability to SSI beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the change is timely given current economic conditions.
With inflation driving up food prices, SSI recipients are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity.
The new rule will help alleviate this concern by removing a barrier to obtaining food assistance.
Congress is also considering bipartisan legislation to raise asset limits for SSI beneficiaries, allowing them to save more and build a better financial future.
This proposed change underscores the ongoing efforts to support individuals with disabilities and improve the SSI program.
- NEWS SENTIMENT CHECK
- Overall sentiment:
positive
Positive
“The change means SSI beneficiaries will no longer have to worry that the groceries or meals they receive from family or friends may reduce their monthly benefits, a disability advocate says.”
“The change is the first of several updates the Social Security Administration said it plans to put in place for SSI beneficiaries and applicants.”
Negative
“Under the new rule, which goes into effect Sept. 30, food will no longer count toward calculations for eligibility for benefits, known as In-Kind Support and Maintenance, or ISM.”
“Currently, support in the form of food, shelter or both may count as unearned income for SSI beneficiaries, and therefore reduce their payments or affect their eligibility for benefits.”