SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME: Status of Efforts to Improve Overpayment Detection and Recovery
Abstract
The SSI program provides eligible aged, blind, or disabled persons with monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. State Disability Determination Services determine whether SSI applicants are medically disabled, and SSA field office staff determine whether applicants meet the program 5 nonmedical (age and financial) eligibility requirements. To be eligible for SSI in 2002, persons may not have income greater than $545 per month ($817 for a couple) or resources worth more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). When applying for SSI, persons must report information about their income, financial resources and living arrangements that affect their eligibility. Similarly, once approved, recipients must report changes to these factors in a timely manner. To a significant extent, SSA depends on program applicants and recipients to report changes in their medical or financial circumstances that may affect eligibility. To verify this information, SSA generally uses computer matching to compare SSI payment records with similar information contained in other federal and state government agencies' records. To determine whether recipients remain financially eligible for SSI benefits, SSA also conducts periodic redetermination reviews to verify eligibility factors such as income, resources and living arrangements. Recipients are reviewed at least every (3 years, but reviews may be more frequent if SSA determines that changes in eligibility are likely. In general, the SSI program is difficult and costly to administer because even small changes in monthly income, available resources, or living arrangements can affect benefit amounts and eligibility. Complicated policies and procedures determine how to treat various types of income, resources, and support that a recipient may receive. SSA must constantly monitor these situations to ensure benefit payments are accurate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 25, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404416
Entities
People
- Robert E. Robertson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office