| The State Supplement program provides a monthly cash benefit for the
low-income aged (65 and over), blind and disabled. Benefits are available to those
who receive low income from Social Security, SSI, a pension, or Veterans’
Administration benefits. Individuals living in the community and in long-term care
facilities such as nursing homes and residential care homes are eligible.
Eligibility
One must be disabled, blind or 65 years and older to be eligible
for this state administered and state financed program.
Gross income limits are 300% of the current Federal Poverty Level
figures. Earned income and unearned income disregards are used in determining net
income.
On January 1, 2008, the unearned income disregard increased by $14
to $241, and will change annually based on the annual federal COLA amount to SSI
recipients, per Connecticut statute. This standard unearned income disregard
is used in determining community Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) eligibility
as well.
Asset limits are $1,600 for a single person and $2,400 for an
individual living with a spouse -- the same as for community Medicaid. Some assets
are excluded in the assets determination in part or in full: a home (unlimited
exclusion), a car (exclusion capped at $4,500), a burial allowance (exclusion capped at
$1,800), etc.
Benefits
Benefit amounts vary based on an individual's needs and expenses.
Rent and utility payments, and special needs - including telephone, laundry, special
diets, and clothing - are taken into account. State Supplement can also pay for
emergency housing and for the purchase or repair of some household appliances such as a
stove or refrigerator.
Generally, an eligible applicant is an individual with a low
income and high rent or mortgage. Those eligible for State Supplement benefits are also
automatically eligible for Medicaid.
The State Supplement benefit pays for room and board at a
residential care home -- a possible alternative to an assisted living facility.
Those residents with unearned income are allowed to keep $163.70 (2007 figure) of their
income for personal use; a combination of unearned income disregard and personal standard
of assistance amounts. This amount is commonly referred to as a "personal needs
allowance," but should not be confused with the Medicaid skilled nursing facility
personal needs allowance.
Food Stamp and Energy Assistance benefits are also possible to
State Supplement recipients.
You may apply for State Supplement at your local Department of
Social Services office.
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