Supplemental security income (SSI) assistance groups are those
in which all members are applicants for, or recipients of SSI as defined in rule 5101:4-2-03 of the Administrative Code.
SSI assistance groups, and who are not
certified for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, have
not applied for SNAP benefits during the previous thirty days, and which do not have an application for SNAP pending. These assistance groups have the option of applying
for SNAP benefits at their local social security administration district office
or at the local county agency. The county agency shall not require persons
potentially eligible for SSI to make application for SSI benefits as a
condition of SNAP eligibility.
(A)What are the
eligibility standards for SSI assistance groups?
If all members of the SSI assistance group groups applying simultaneously for receive SSI and SNAP benefits :are subject to SNAP eligibility
criteria until the assistance group is considered categorically eligible.
However, when each assistance group member receives or is authorized to receive
Ohio works first (OWF), SSI, or a temporary assistance to needy families (TANF)
funded service, or any combination of these benefits, the assistance group is
categorically eligible as described in rule 5101:4-2-02 of the Administrative
Code.
(1)The gross income test and the net income
test are not used in determining eligibility;
(2)The SNAP resource limits do not apply to
the assistance group; and
(3)The assistance group must meet the
nonfinancial eligibility criteria.
(B)What forms are
required for SSI assistance groups?
The following forms are required:
(1)JFS 07200,
"Request Application for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance, Food and Medical
Assistance or Child Care Assistance" (rev. 10/2016).
(2)JFS 01846,
"Case Worksheet-Cash, Food StampStamps, and Medical Assistance Interview" (5/2005) shall be completed by the social security
administration if when a
home visit telephone
interview is neededcompleted.
(3)The JFS 07501, "Program Enrollment
and Benefit Information" (rev. 4/2018).
(C)How are
applications for individuals participating in the social security
administration's prerelease program processed?
An assistance group that consists of a
resident or residents of a public institution(s) that applies for SSI under the
social security administration's prerelease program for the institutionalized
shall be allowed to apply for SNAP benefits jointly with their application for
SSI prior to their release from the institution. These applications will be
forwarded to the county agency by the social security administration. The
application documents used for prerelease applicants will be the JFS 07200 and
the JFS 07501, to be followed by an interactive interview.
(1)An assistance group that consists of a
resident or residents of a public institution(s) that applies for SSI under the
social security administration's prerelease program for the institutionalized
is allowed to apply for SNAP benefits jointly with their application for SSI
prior to their release from the institution. These applications will be
forwarded to the county agency by the social security administration. The
application used for prerelease applicants will be the JFS 07200, to be
followed by an interactive interview.
(2)The county agency is to make an
eligibility determination and issue SNAP benefits to a resident of a public
institution who applies jointly for SSI and SNAP within thirty days following
the date of the applicant's release from the institution. Expedited processing
time standards for an applicant who has applied for SNAP and SSI prior to
release is to begin on the date of the applicant's release from the
institution. In addition, if, for any reason, the county agency is not notified
on a timely basis of an applicant's release date from a public institution, the
county agency is to restore benefits.
(D)What is the
social security administration's responsibility?
In accordance with 7 C.F.R. 273.2 (3/2018)(3/2023), the social security administration is
required to:
(1)Inform an applicant for or recipient of
social security benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act of 1935 or
SSI of the availability of benefits under the SNAP program and the availability
of a SNAP application at the social security administration office.
(1)(2) Accept all SNAP applications received at the
social security administration office from SSI assistance groups and forward
them within one working day after receipt of a signed application to the county
agency. The social security administration is to also
forward to the county agency a transmittal form. The prerelease applications
will be forwarded to the county agency consistent with the above timeframe. The
social security administration will later notify the county agency of the
applicant's impending release date. Note: counties are required to keep local
social security administration offices supplied with the JFS 07200, and the JFS 01846 and the JFS
07501.
(2)(3) Prescreen all applications for entitlement to
expedited services on the day the application is received at the social
security administration and shall mark "Expedited Processing" on the
first page of all applications that appear to be entitled to such processing.
The social security administration will inform assistance groups that appear to
meet the criteria for expedited service that benefits may be issued a few days
sooner if the assistance group applies directly at the county agency. The
assistance group may take the application to the county agency for screening,
an interview, and processing of the application.
(3)(4) Inform an applicant for
or recipient of social security benefits under Title II of the Social Security
Act of 1935 or SSI of the availability of benefits under the SNAP program and
the availability of a SNAP application at the social security administration
officeSend information to SSI assistance groups
redetermined for SSI by mail of their right to file a SNAP application at the
social security administration or at their local SNAP office.
(E)What are the
interview requirements for SSI assistance groups when the interview is
completed at the social security administration?
(1)In accordance
with 7 C.F.R. 273.2(k), when the social security administration completes an
interactive interview for SNAP on the telephone from with a member of an SSI assistance group, the social
security administration is required to complete a JFS 01846 during the
telephone interview. In these cases, the JFS 07200 and
JFS 07501 are is required to be mailed to
the claimant for signature and returned to the social security administration
or county agency. The social security administration is required to forward any
SNAP applications it receives to the county agency
within one working day.
(2)An assistance group who completes an interactive interview for
SNAP at the social security administration office shall not be required to also
see a county eligibility worker or otherwise be subjected to an additional
interview unless they request one. The social security administration
will provide the county with documentation (i.e., photocopies) of items that
must be verified (e.g., income) if the applicant is in possession of such
documents at the time of the interview.
(3)The county
agency shall not require the assistance group to be interviewed again and it
shall not contact the assistance group further in order to obtain additional
information unless:
(a)The application
is improperly completed;
(b)Mandatory
verification is missing; or
(c)Certain
information is questionable.
(4)In accordance
with rule 5101:4-2-09 of the Administrative Code, the county agency shall
obtain the needed documentation for verification purposes. County agencies have
the option of verifying SSI benefit payments through the state data exchange
(SDX) and the beneficiary data exchange (BENDEX). For prerelease applications
the county agency should obtain whatever additional information is available
from the social security administration at the time of release or if necessary
contact the applicant/institution to obtain needed information.
(F)What is the
county agency's responsibility?
The county agency shall:
(1)In accordance
with rule 5101:4-2-07 of the Administrative Code, the county agency shall
conduct an interactive interview with the applicant upon receipt of a JFS 07200, unless one was already completed by the social security
administration as described in paragraph (E)(3) of this rule. The county
agency shall make an eligibility determination and issue SNAP benefits to
eligible SSI assistance groups within thirty days following the date the
application was received by the social security administration. Applications
shall be considered filed for normal processing purposes when the signed
application is received by the social security administration. The county agency shall make an eligibility determination and
issue SNAP benefits to a resident of a public institution who applies jointly
for SSI and SNAP within thirty days following the date of the applicant's
release from the institution.
(2)Prescreen all
applications received from the social security administration for entitlement
to expedited service on the day the application is received. All SSI assistance
groups entitled to expedited service shall be certified in accordance with
applicable regulations except that the expedited processing time standard shall
begin on the date the application is received at the correct county agency
office. Expedited processing time standards for an
applicant who has applied for SNAP and SSI prior to release shall begin on the
date of the applicant's release from the institution.
(3)Restore
benefits to an assistance group that were lost because of an error by the
county agency or by the social security administration through joint
processing. Such an error shall include, but not be limited to, the loss of an
applicant's application after it has been filed with social security
administration. In addition, if, for any reason, the
county agency is not notified on a timely basis of an applicant's release date
from a public institution, the county agency shall restore benefits.
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 7/17/2023 and 10/01/2028
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 09/21/2023
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 5101.54
Rule Amplifies: 329.042, 5101.54
Prior Effective Dates: 06/02/1980, 12/01/1980, 05/03/1985
(Emer.), 08/01/1985, 08/16/1985 (Emer.), 11/01/1985 (Emer.), 01/01/1986,
01/01/1987 (Emer.), 04/06/1987, 01/05/1990 (Emer.), 03/22/1990, 10/01/1990,
07/01/1992, 08/01/1992 (Emer.), 10/30/1992, 07/01/1994, 05/01/1996, 10/01/1996,
05/01/1997, 02/01/1999, 02/01/2004, 05/02/2005, 01/01/2009, 03/01/2011,
07/01/2011, 02/01/2013, 06/01/2013, 09/01/2018