State Supplementation Provisions; Agreement; Payments

20 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart T
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

20 C.F.R. § 416.2001 State supplementary payments; general.

(a) State supplementary payments; defined. State supplementary payments are any payments made by a State or one of its political subdivisions (including any such payments for which reimbursement is available from the Social Security Administration pursuant to Pub. L. 94-23, as amended) to a recipient of supplemental security income benefits (or to an individual who would be eligible for such benefits except for income), if the payments are made: (1) In supplementation of the Federal supplemental security income benefits; i.e., as a complement to the Federal benefit amount, thereby increasing the amount of income available to the recipient to meet his needs; and (2) Regularly, on a periodic recurring, or routine basis of at least once a quarter; and (3) In cash, which may be actual currency or any negotiable instrument, convertible into cash upon demand; and (4) In an amount based on the need or income of an individual or couple. (b) State; defined. For purposes of this subpart, State means a State of the United States or the District of Columbia. (c) Mandatory minimum supplementary payments. In order for a State to be eligible for payments pursuant to title XIX of the Act with respect to expenditures for any quarter beginning after December 1973, such State must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner under which such State will provide to aged, blind, and disabled individuals (as defined in § 416.202) residing in the State who were recipients of aid or assistance for December 1973 as defined in § 416.121, under such State's plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act, mandatory minimum supplementary payments beginning in January 1974 in an amount determined in accordance with § 416.2050 in order to maintain their income levels of December 1973. (See §§ 416.2065 and 416.2070.) (d) Supplementary payments for recipients of special SSI cash benefits. A State which makes supplementary payments (regardless of whether they are mandatory or optional and whether the payments are federally administered), has the option of making those payments to individuals who receive cash benefits under section 1619(a) of the Act (see § 416.261), or who would be eligible to receive cash benefits except for their income.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2005 Administration agreements with SSA.

(a) Agreement-mandatory only. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, any State having an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA) under § 416.2001(c) may enter into an administration agreement with SSA under which SSA will make the mandatory minimum supplementary payments on behalf of such State. An agreement under § 416.2001(c) and an administration agreement under this paragraph may be consolidated into one agreement. (b) Agreement—mandatory and optional payments. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, any State may enter into an agreement with SSA under which the State will provide both mandatory and optional State supplementary payments and elect Federal administration of such State supplementary payment programs. If SSA agrees to administer such State's optional supplementary payments, the State must also have SSA administer its mandatory minimum supplementary payments unless the State is able to provide sufficient justification for exemption from this requirement. (c) Administration—combination. Any State may enter into an agreement with SSA under which the State will provide mandatory minimum supplementary payments and elect Federal administration of such payments while providing optional State supplementary payments which it shall administer itself. If the State chooses to administer such payment itself, it may establish its own criteria for determining eligibility requirements as well as the amounts. (d) Conditions of administration agreement. The State and SSA may, subject to the provisions of this subpart, enter into a written agreement, in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with this part as are found necessary by SSA, under which SSA will administer the State supplementary payments on behalf of a State (or political subdivision). Under such an agreement between SSA and a State, specific Federal and State responsibilities for administration and fiscal responsibilities will be stipulated. The regulations in effect for the supplemental security income program shall be applicable in the Federal administration of State supplementary payments except as may otherwise be provided in this subpart as found by SSA to be necessary for the effective and efficient administration of both the basic Federal benefit and the State supplementary payment. If the State elects options available under this subpart (specified in §§ 416.2015-416.2035), such options must be specified in the administration agreement.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2010 Essentials of the administration agreements.

(a) Payments. Any agreement between SSA and a State made pursuant to § 416.2005 must provide that, if for optional supplementation, such State supplementary payments are made to all individuals and/or couples who are: (1) Receiving (or at the option of the State would, but for the amount of their income, be eligible to receive) supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act, and (2) Within the variations and categories (as defined in § 416.2030) for which the State (or political subdivision) wishes to provide a supplementary payment, and (3) Residing, subject to the provisions of § 416.2035(a), in such State (or political subdivision thereof). (b) Administrative costs. (1) SSA shall assess each State that had elected Federal administration of optional and/or mandatory State supplementary payments an administration fee for administering those payments. The administration fee is assessed and paid monthly and is derived by multiplying the number of State supplementary payments made by SSA on behalf of a State for any month in a fiscal year by the applicable dollar rate for the fiscal year. The number of supplementary payments made by SSA in a month is the total number of checks issued, and direct deposits made, to recipients in that month, that are composed in whole or in part of State supplementary funds. The dollar rates are as follows: (i) For fiscal year 1994, $1.67; (ii) For fiscal year 1995, $3.33; (iii) For fiscal year 1996, $5.00; (iv) For fiscal year 1997, $5.00; (v) For fiscal year 1998, $6.20; (vi) For fiscal year 1999, $7.60; (vii) For fiscal year 2000, $7.80; (viii) For fiscal year 2001, $8.10; (ix) For fiscal year 2002, $8.50; and (x) For fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year— (A) The applicable rate in the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage, if any, by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year of the increase exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the calendar year of the increase, and rounded to the nearest whole cent; or (B) Such different rate as the Commissioner determines is appropriate for the State taking into account the complexity of administering the State's supplementary payment program. (2) SSA shall charge a State an additional services fee if, at the request of the State, SSA agrees to provide the State with additional services beyond the level customarily provided in the administration of State supplementary payments. The additional services fee shall be in an amount that SSA determines is necessary to cover all costs, including indirect costs, incurred by the Federal Government in furnishing the additional services. SSA is not required to perform any additional services requested by a State and may, at its sole discretion, refuse to perform those additional services. An additional services fee charged a State may be a one-time charge or, if the furnished services result in ongoing costs to the Federal Government, a monthly or less frequent charge to the State for providing such services. (c) Agreement period. The agreement period for a State which has elected Federal administration of its supplementary payments will extend for one year from the date the agreement was signed unless otherwise designated. The agreement will be automatically renewed for a period of one year unless either the State or SSA gives written notice not to renew, at least 90 days before the beginning of the new period. For a State to elect Federal administration, it must notify SSA of its intent to enter into an agreement, furnishing the necessary payment specifications, at least 120 days before the first day of the month for which it wishes Federal administration to begin, and have executed such agreement at least 30 days before such day. (d) Modification or termination. The agreement may be modified at any time by mutual consent. The State or SSA may terminate the agreement upon 90 days written notice to the other party, provided the effective date of the termination is the last day of a quarter. However, the State may terminate the agreement upon 45 days written notice to SSA where: (1) The State does not wish to comply with a regulation promulgated by SSA subsequent to the execution of the agreement; and (2) the State provides such written notice within 30 days of the effective date of the regulation. The Secretary is not precluded from terminating the agreement in less than 90 days where he finds that a State has failed to materially comply with the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section or § 416.2090. (e) Mandatory minimum State supplementation. Any administration agreement between SSA and a State under which SSA will make such State's mandatory minimum State supplementary payments shall provide that the State will: (1) Certify income and payment amount. Certify to SSA the names of each individual who, for December 1973 was eligible for and a recipient of aid or assistance in the form of money payments under a plan of such State approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act (§ 416.121), together with the amount of such aid or assistance payable to each such individual and the amount of such individual's other income (as defined in § 416.2050(b)(2)), and (2) Additional data. Provide SSA with such additional data at such times as SSA may reasonably require in order to properly, economically, and efficiently carry out such administration agreement. This shall include required information on changes in countable income as well as changes in special needs and circumstances that would result in a decrease in the mandatory income level being maintained by the State, unless the State has specified in the agreement that the minimum income level shall not be lowered by such changes.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2015 Establishing eligibility.

(a) Applications. Any person who meets the application requirements of subpart C of this part is deemed to have filed an application for any federally administered State supplementation for which he may be eligible unless supplementation has been waived pursuant to § 416.2047. However, a supplemental statement will be required where additional information is necessary to establish eligibility or to determine the correct payment amount. (b) Evidentiary requirements. The evidentiary requirements and developmental procedures of this part are applicable with respect to federally administered State supplementary payments. (c) Determination. Where not inconsistent with the provisions of this subpart, eligibility for and the amount of the State supplementary payment will be determined pursuant to the provisions of subparts A through Q of this part. (d) Categories; aged, blind, disabled. An applicant will be deemed to have filed for the State supplementary payment amount provided for the category under which his application for a Federal supplemental security income benefit is filed. As in the Federal supplemental security income program, an individual who establishes eligibility as a blind or disabled individual, and continually remains on the rolls, will continue to be considered blind or disabled after he attains age 65. (e) Concurrent categories. (1) In States where the supplementary payment provided for the aged category is higher than for the blind or disabled category aged individuals will be paid the State supplement on the basis of age. (2) If the administration agreement pursuant to § 416.2005(b) provides for higher supplementary payments to the blind or disabled than to the aged category, then, at the option of the State, the agreement may provide that individuals who are age 65 or over at time of application and who are blind or disabled may elect to receive such higher supplementary payments.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2020 Federally administered supplementary payments.

(a) Payment procedures. A federally administered State supplementary payment will be made on a monthly basis and will be included in the same check as a Federal benefit that is payable. A State supplementary payment shall be for the same month as the Federal benefit. (b) Maximum amount. There is no restriction on the amount of a State supplementary payment that the Federal Government will administer on behalf of a State. (c) Minimum amount. The Federal Government will not administer optional State supplementary payments in amounts less than $1 per month. Hence, optional supplementary payment amounts of less than $1 will be raised to a dollar. (d) Optional supplementation: nine categories possible. A State may elect Federal administration of its supplementary payments for up to nine categories, depending on the assistance titles in effect in that State in January 1972 (i.e., title I, X, XIV, or XVI). It can have no more than two categories (one for individuals and one for couples) for each title in effect for January 1972: (1) Since a State with a title XVI program had just the one title in effect, it can supplement only to two categories, the individual (aged, blind, or disabled), the couple (both of whom are aged, blind, or disabled). (2) Other States could supplement up to nine categories, depending on the plans they had in effect. Six of these categories would be for: (i) Aged Individual, (ii) Aged Couple, (iii) Blind Individual, (iv) Blind Couple, (v) Disabled Individual, (vi) Disabled Couple. (3) In addition to those enumerated in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, there are three additional couple categories for which a State may elect to provide a federally administered supplement. These categories are created when one individual in the couple is: (i) Aged and the other blind, or (ii) Aged and the other disabled, or (iii) Blind and the other disabled.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2025 Optional supplementation: Countable income.

(a) Earned and unearned income. No less than the amounts of earned or unearned income which were excluded in determining eligibility for or amount of a title XVI supplemental security income benefit must be excludable by a State in the Federal-State agreement for purposes of determining eligibility for or amount of the State supplementary payment. (b) Effect of countable income on payment amounts. Countable income of an eligible individual or eligible couple is determined in the same manner as such income is determined under the title XVI supplemental security income program. Countable income will affect the amount of the State supplementary payments as follows: (1) As provided in § 416.420, countable income will first be deducted from the Federal benefit rate applicable to an eligible individual or eligible couple. In the case of an eligible individual living with an ineligible spouse with income (the deeming provisions of § 416.1163 apply), the Federal benefit rate from which countable income will be deducted is the Federal benefit rate applicable to an eligible couple, except that an eligible individual's payment amount may not exceed the amount he or she would have received if he or she were not subject to the deeming provisions (§ 416.1163(e)(2)). (2) If countable income is equal to or less than the amount of the Federal benefit rate, the full amount of the State supplementary payment as specified in the Federal agreement will be made. (3) If countable income exceeds the amount of the Federal benefit rate, the State supplementary benefit will be reduced by the amount of such excess. In the case of an eligible individual living with an ineligible spouse with income (the deeming methodology of § 416.1163 applies), the State supplementary payment rate from which the excess income will be deducted is the higher of the State supplementary rates for an eligible couple or an eligible individual, except that an eligible individual's payment amount may not exceed the amount he or she would have received if he or she were not subject to the deeming provisions (see § 416.1163(e)(2)). For purposes of determining the State supplementary couple rate, the ineligible spouse is considered to be in the same category as the eligible individual. (4) No State supplementary payment will be made where countable income is equal to or exceeds the sum of the Federal benefit rate and the State supplementary payment rate. (c) Effect of additional income exclusions on payment amounts. A State has the option of excluding amounts of earned and unearned income in addition to the amounts it is required to exclude under paragraph (a) of this section in determining a person's eligibility for State supplementary payments. Such additional income exclusions affect the amount of the State supplementary payments as follows: (1) Countable income (as determined under the Federal eligibility rules) will first be deducted from the Federal benefit rate applicable to an eligible individual or eligible couple. (2) Such countable income is then reduced by the amount of the additional income exclusion specified by the State. (3) If the remaining countable income is equal to or less than the amount of the Federal benefit rate, the full amount of the State supplementary payment will be made. (4) If the remaining countable income exceeds the amount of the Federal benefit rate, the State supplementary payment will be reduced by the amount of such excess.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2030 Optional supplementation: Variations in payments.

(a) Payment level. The level of State supplementary payments may vary for each category the State elects to include in its federally administered supplement. These categorical variations of payment levels must be specified in the agreement between the Commissioner and the State. If any State has in effect for July 1974 an agreement which provides for variations in addition to those specified in this section, the State may, at its option, continue such variations but only for periods ending before July 1, 1976. (1) Geographical variations. A State may elect to include two different geographical variations. A third may be elected if adequate justification, e.g., substantial differences in living costs, can be demonstrated. All such variations must be readily identifiable by county or ZIP code or other readily identifiable factor. (2) Living arrangements. In addition, a State may elect up to six variations in recognition of the different needs which result from various living arrangements. If a State elects six payment level variations based on differences in living arrangements, one of these six variations must apply only to individuals in Medicaid facilities, that is, facilities receiving title XIX payments with respect to such persons for the cost of their care (see § 416.211(b)(1)). In any event, States are limited to one payment level variation for residents of Medicaid facilities. Types of other living arrangements for which payment variations may be allowed include arrangements such as: (i) Living alone; (ii) Living with an ineligible spouse; (iii) Personal care facility; or, (iv) Domiciliary or congregate care facility. (b) Relationship to actual cost differences. Under the agreement, variations in State supplementary payment levels will be permitted for each living arrangement the State elects. These differences must be based on rational distinctions between both the types of living arrangements and the costs of those arrangements. (c) Effective month of State supplementary payment category. The State supplementary payment category which applies in the current month will be used to determine the State payment level in that month. This rule applies even if the countable income in a prior month is used to determine the amount of State supplementary payment.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2035 Optional supplementation: Additional State options.

(a) Residency requirement. A State or political subdivision may impose, as a condition of eligibility, a residency requirement which excludes from eligibility for State supplementary payment any individual who has resided in such State (or political subdivision thereof) for less than a minimum period prescribed by the State. Any such residency requirement will be specified in the agreement. (b) Lien and relative responsibility. A State which elects Federal administration of its supplementary payments may place a lien upon property of an individual as a consequence of the receipt of such payments or may require that a relative of the individual contribute to a reasonable extent to the support of the individual, providing it is stated in the agreement that: (1) The Commissioner has determined that the specific State laws and their enforcement are consistent with the supplemental security income program purpose of providing unencumbered cash payments to recipients; and (2) The Federal Government is not involved in the administration of such laws and will not vary the State supplementary payment amount it makes to comply with such laws; and (3) Neither the basic Federal benefit nor any part of the State supplementary payment financed by Federal funds will be subject to the liens or encumbrances of such laws.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2040 Limitations on eligibility.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, the eligibility of an individual (or couple) for optional State supplementary payments administered by the Federal Government in accordance with this subpart shall be limited as follows: (a) Inmate of public institution. A person who is a resident in a public institution for a month, is ineligible for a Federal benefit for that month under the provision of § 416.211(a), and does not meet the requirements for any of the exceptions in § 416.211 (b), (c), or (d), or § 416.212, also shall be ineligible for a federally administered State supplementary payment for that month. (b) Ineligible persons. No person who is ineligible for a Federal benefit for any month under sections 1611(e)(1)(A), (2), (3), or (f) of the Act (failure to file; refuses treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism; outside the United States) or other reasons (other than the amount of income) shall be eligible for such State supplementation for such month. (c) Recipient eligible for benefits under § 416.212. A recipient who is institutionalized and is eligible for either benefit payable under § 416.212 for a month or months may also receive federally administered State supplementation for that month. Additionally, a recipient who would be eligible for benefits under § 416.212 but for countable income which reduces his or her Federal SSI benefit to zero, may still be eligible to receive federally administered State supplementation.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2045 Overpayments and underpayments; federally administered supplementation.

(a) Overpayments. Upon determination that an overpayment has been made, adjustments will be made against future federally administered State supplementary payments for which the person is entitled. Rules and requirements (see §§ 416.550 through 416.586) in effect for recovery (or waiver) of supplemental security income benefit overpayments shall also apply to the recovery (or waiver) of federally administered State supplementary overpaid amounts. If the overpaid person's entitlement to the State supplementary payments is terminated prior to recoupment of the overpaid State supplementary payment amount, and the overpayment cannot be recovered from a Federal benefit payable under this part, the person's record will be annotated (specifying the amount of the overpayment) to permit recoupment if the person becomes reentitled to supplementary payments of such State or to a Federal benefit under this part. (b) Underpayments. Upon determination that an underpayment of State supplementary payments is due and payable, the underpaid amount shall be paid to the underpaid claimant directly, or his representative. If the underpaid person dies before receiving the underpaid amount of State supplementary payment the underpaid amount shall be paid to the claimant's eligible spouse. If the deceased claimant has no eligible spouse, no payment of the underpaid amount shall be made. (See §§ 416.538 through 416.543.)

20 C.F.R. § 416.2047 Waiver of State supplementary payments.

(a) Waiver request in writing. Any person who is eligible to receive State supplementary payments or who would be eligible to receive such State supplementary payments may waive his right to receive such payments if such person makes a written request for waiver of State supplementary payments. Any such request made at time of application for the Federal benefit shall be effective immediately. Any such request filed after the application is filed shall be effective the month the request is received in a social security office, or earlier if the recipient refunds to the Social Security Administration the amount of any supplementary payment(s) made to him for the subject period. (b) Revocation of waiver. Any individual who has waived State supplementary payments may revoke such waiver at any time by making a written request to any social security office. The revocation will be effective the month in which it is filed. The date such request is received in a social security office or the postmarked date, if the written request was mailed, will be the filing date, whichever is earlier.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2050 Mandatory minimum State supplementation.

(a) Determining the amount. The amount of a mandatory State supplementary payment in the case of any eligible individual or couple for any month is equal to: (1) The amount by which such individual or couple's December 1973 income (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section) exceeds the amount of such individual or couple's title XVI benefit plus other income which would have been used by such State in computing the assistance payable under the State's approved plan for such month; or (2) Such greater amount as the State may specify. (b) December 1973 income. “December 1973 income” means an amount equal to the aggregate of: (1) Money payments. The amount of the aid or assistance in the form of money payments (as defined in 45 CFR 234.11(a)) which an individual would have received (including any part of such amount which is attributable to meeting special needs or special circumstances) under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan relating to eligibility for and amount of such aid or assistance payable thereunder which were in effect for the month of June 1973 together with the bonus value of food stamps for January 1972 if for such month such individual resides in a State which SSA has determined provides supplementary payments the level of which has been found by SSA pursuant to section 8 of Pub. L. 93-233 (87 Stat. 956) to have been specifically increased so as to include the bonus value of food stamps, and (2) Income. The amount of the income of such individual other than aid or assistance, received by such individual in December 1973, remaining after application of all appropriate income exclusions and used in computation of the amount of aid or assistance, minus any such income which did not result, but which if properly reported, would have resulted in a reduction in the amount of such aid or assistance. Income, which because a State paid less than 100% of its standard of need, did not cause a reduction in the amount of aid or assistance is included. (c) Special needs or circumstances. Special needs or circumstances include needs of essential persons (as defined in § 416.222), special allowances for housing, and such other situations for which money payments to or for an eligible individual were made under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act as in effect for June 1973. (d) Optional supplement payable. A recipient meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section who would otherwise qualify for a payment under a State's program of optional State supplementation (provided for by § 416.2010) which is greater than the amount required by paragraph (a) of this section, shall be paid such greater amount.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2055 Mandatory minimum supplementation reduced.

If for any month after December 1973 there is a change with respect to any special need or special circumstance which, if such change had existed in December 1973, would have caused a reduction in the amount of such individual's aid or assistance payment, then, for such month and for each month thereafter, the amount of the mandatory minimum supplement payable to such individual may, at the option of the State, be reduced in accordance with the terms and conditions of the State's plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act in effect for the month of June 1973.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2060 Mandatory minimum supplementary payments not applicable.

An individual eligible for mandatory minimum supplementary payments from a State beginning in January 1974 shall not be eligible for such payments: (a) Month after the month of death. Beginning with the month after the month in which the individual dies; or (b) Not aged, blind, or disabled. Beginning with the first month after the month in which such individual ceases to be an aged, blind, or disabled individual (as defined in § 416.202); or (c) Not entitled to a Federal payment. During any month in which such individual was ineligible to receive supplemental income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act by reason of the provisions of section 1611(e) (1)(A), (2) or (3), 1611(f), or 1615(c) of such Act; or (d) Month of change in residence. During any full month such individual is not a resident of such State.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2065 Mandatory minimum State supplementation: Agreement deemed.

A State shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement with the Commissioner under which such State shall provide mandatory minimum supplementary payments if such State has entered into an agreement with the Commissioner under section 1616 of the Act under which: (a) Other eligible individuals. Supplementary payments are made to individuals other than those aged, blind, and disabled individuals who were eligible to receive aid or assistance in the form of money payments for the month of December 1973 under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act, under terms and conditions of such plan in effect for June 1973, and (b) Minimum requirements. Supplementary payments which meet the mandatory minimum requirements of this subpart are payable to all aged, blind, or disabled individuals who were eligible to receive aid or assistance in the form of money payments for the month of December 1973 under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Act, under terms and conditions of such plan in effect for June 1973.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2070 Mandatory supplementation: State compliance not applicable.

The requirement that a State must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner whereby such State shall provide individual aged, blind, and disabled recipients residing in the State mandatory minimum supplementary payments beginning in January 1974 shall not be applicable in the case of any State where: (a) State constitution. The State constitution limits expenditures that may be paid as public assistance to, or on behalf of, any needy person to an amount that does not exceed the amount of State public assistance payments that are matched by Federal funds under title I, IV, X, XIV, XVI or XIX of the Social Security Act making it impossible for such State to enter into and commence carrying out (on January 1, 1974) such agreement with the Commissioner, and (b) Attorney General decision. The Attorney General (or other appropriate State official) has, prior to July 1, 1973, made a finding that the State constitution of such State contains limitations which prevent such State from making supplementary payments of the type described in section 1616 of the Act.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2075 Monitoring of mandatory minimum supplementary payments.

(a) Access to records. Any State entering into an agreement with the Commissioner whereby such State will provide mandatory minimum supplementary payments in accordance with § 416.2001(c) shall agree that the Commissioner shall have access to and the right to examine any directly pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the State involving transactions related to this agreement. (b) Additional data. Any State entering into an agreement in accordance with § 416.2005 shall provide the Commissioner with such additional data at such times as the Commissioner may reasonably require in order to properly, economically, and efficiently be assessed of such State's compliance with such State agreements.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2090 State funds transferred for supplementary payments.

(a) Payment transfer and adjustment. (1) Any State which has entered into an agreement with SSA which provides for Federal administration of such State's supplementary payments shall transfer to SSA: (i) An amount of funds equal to SSA's estimate of State supplementary payments for any month which shall be made by SSA on behalf of such State; and (ii) An amount of funds equal to SSA's estimate of administration fees for any such month determined in the manner described in § 416.2010(b)(1); and (iii) If applicable, an amount of funds equal to SSA's determination of the costs incurred by the Federal government in furnishing additional services for the State as described in § 416.2010(b)(2). (2) In order for SSA to make State supplementary payments on behalf of a State for any month as provided by the agreement, the estimated amount of State funds referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, necessary to make those payments for the month, together with the estimated amount of administration fees referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, for that month, must be on deposit with SSA on the State supplementary payment transfer date, which is the fifth Federal business day following the day in the month that the regularly recurring monthly supplemental security income payments are issued. The additional services fee referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section shall be on deposit with SSA on the date specified by SSA. The amount of State funds paid to SSA for State supplementary payments and the amount paid for administration fees will be adjusted as necessary to maintain the balance with State supplementary payments paid out by SSA on behalf of the State, and administration fees owed to SSA, respectively. (b) Accounting of State funds. (1) As soon as feasible, after the end of each calendar month, SSA will provide the State with a statement showing, cumulatively, the total amounts paid by SSA on behalf of the State during the current Federal fiscal year; the fees charged by SSA to administer such supplementary payments; any additional services fees charged the State; the State's total liability therefore; and the end-of-month balance of the State's cash on deposit with SSA. (2) SSA shall provide an accounting of State funds received as State supplementary payments, administration fees, and additional services fees, within three calendar months following the termination of an agreement under § 416.2005. (3) Adjustments will be made because of State funds due and payable or amounts of State funds recovered for calendar months for which the agreement was in effect. Interest will be incurred by SSA and the States with respect to the adjustment and accounting of State supplementary payments funds in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury. (c) State audit. Any State entering into an agreement with SSA which provides for Federal administration of the State's supplementary payments has the right to an audit (at State expense) of the payments made by SSA on behalf of such State. The Secretary and the State shall mutually agree upon a satisfactory audit arrangement to verify that supplementary payments paid by SSA on behalf of the State were made in accordance with the terms of the administration agreement under § 416.2005. Resolution of audit findings shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the State's agreement with SSA. (d) Advance payment and adjustment not applicable. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply with respect to any State supplementary payment for which reimbursement is available from the Social and Rehabilitation Service pursuant to the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 (Pub. L. 94-23; 89 Stat. 87), as amended, since such amounts are not considered to be State supplementary payments.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2095 Pass-along of Federal benefit increases.

(a) General. This section and the four sections that follow describe the rules for passing along increases in the Federal SSI benefit to recipients of State supplementary payments. (1) Section 416.2095(b) indicates when the pass-along rules apply to State supplementary payments. (2) Section 416.2096 describes the basic pass-along rules. The States must have an agreement to “pass-along” increases in Federal SSI benefits. A State passes along an increase when it maintains (rather than decreases) the levels of all its supplementary payments after a Federal benefit increase has occurred. Generally, a pass-along of the increase permits recipients to receive an additional amount in combined benefits equal to the Federal benefit increase. Except for the supplementary payment level made to residents of Medicaid facilities (see § 416.2096(d)), a State can decrease one or more of its payment levels if it meets an annual total expenditures test. (3) Section 416.2097 explains the required combined supplementary/SSI payment level. (4) Section 416.2098 explains how to compute the March 1983, December 1981, and December 1976 supplementary payment levels. (5) Section 416.2099 discusses what information a State must provide to the Commissioner concerning its supplementation programs so that the Commissioner can determine whether the State is in compliance. That section also discusses the basis for findings of noncompliance and what will occur if a State is found out of compliance. (b) When the pass-along provisions apply. (1) The pass-along requirements apply to all States (and the District of Columbia) that make supplementary payments on or after June 30, 1977, and wish to participate in the Medicaid program. (2) The pass-along requirements apply to both optional State supplementary payments of the type described in § 416.2001(a) and mandatory minimum State supplementary payments as described in § 416.2001(c), whether or not these State supplementary payments are Federally administered. (3) The requirements apply to State supplementary payments both for recipients who receive Federal SSI benefits and those who, because of countable income, receive only a State supplementary payment. (4) The requirements apply to State supplementary payments for recipients eligible for a State supplementary payment on or after June 30, 1977. (5) Supplementary payments made by a State include payments made by a political subdivision (including Indian tribes) where— (i) The payment levels are set by the State; and (ii) The payments are funded in whole or in part by the State.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2096 Basic pass-along rules.

(a) State agreements to maintain supplementary payment levels. (1) In order to be eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement, any State that makes supplementary payments, other than payments to residents of Medicaid facilities where Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of their care (see paragraph (d) of this section for definition of Medicaid facility and § 416.414 for discussion of the reduced SSI benefit amount payable to residents of Medicaid facilities), on or after June 30, 1977, must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner. In this agreement— (i) The State must agree to continue to make the supplementary payments; (ii) For months from July 1977 through March 1983, the State must agree to maintain the supplementary payments at levels at least equal to the December 1976 levels (or, if a State first makes supplementary payments after December 1976, the levels for the first month the State makes supplementary payments). For months in the period July 1, 1982 through March 31, 1983, a State may elect to maintain the levels described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section; and (iii) For months after March 1983, the State must agree to maintain supplementary payments at least sufficient to maintain the combined supplementary/SSI payment levels in effect in March 1983, increased by any subsequent SSI benefit increases, except as provided in § 416.2097(b) and § 416.2097(c). (2) We will find that the State has met the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section if the State has the appropriate agreement in effect and complies with the conditions in either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section. We will consider a State to have made supplementary payments on or after June 30, 1977, unless the State furnishes us satisfactory evidence to the contrary. (b) Meeting the pass-along requirements—supplementary payment levels. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to the supplementary payment level for residents of Medicaid facilities (see paragraph (d) of this section). (1) We will consider a State to have met the requirements for maintaining its supplementary payment levels (described in § 416.2098) for a particular month or months after March 1983 if the combined supplementary/SSI payment levels have not been reduced below the levels in effect in March 1983 (or if a State first made supplementary payments after March 1983, the combined supplementary/SSI payment levels in effect the first month the State made supplementary payments), increased by any subsequent Federal SSI benefit increases, except as provided in § 416.2097(b) and § 416.2097(c). We will consider a State to have met the requirements for maintaining its supplementary payment levels for a particular month or months between June 1977 and April 1983 if the supplementary payment levels have not been reduced below the levels in effect in December 1976 (or if a State first made supplementary payments after December 1976, the levels in effect the first month the State made supplementary payments, or in certain cases described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the levels in effect in December 1981.) (2) We will also consider a State to have met the requirements for maintaining its supplementary payment levels for a particular month or months in the period July 1, 1982, through March 31, 1983, if the State had met the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for a particular month or months in the 12-month period July 1, 1981 through June 30, 1982, and, with respect to any month in the period July 1, 1982 through March 31, 1983, the State maintained the payment levels in effect in December 1981. (3) If a State reduced any of its supplementary payment levels for a month or months within any 12-month period beginning with the effective date of a Federal benefit increase, we will consider the State to have met the requirement to maintain its supplementary payment levels if— (i) Within 12 months after the relevant 12-month period, the State restores the levels retroactively; and (ii) The State makes a single retroactive benefit payment to each of the beneficiaries eligible for the retroactive payment. (c) Meeting the passalong requirement—total expenditures. Exception— The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to the supplementary payment level for residents of Medicaid facilities (see paragraph (d) of this section). (1) If a State does not meet the conditions in paragraph (b) of this section, we will consider a State to have met the requirement for maintaining supplementary payment levels for a particular month or months if total State expenditures for supplementary payments in the 12-month period within which the month or months fall, beginning on the effective date of a Federal SSI benefit increase, are at least equal to the total State expenditures for supplementary payments in the 12-month period immediately before the Federal SSI benefit increase provided that the State was in compliance for such preceding 12-month period. The combined Federal/State payment level for those persons receiving a mandatory minimum State supplementary payment can be no lower than the recipient's total income for December 1973 as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 93-66. (2) If total State expenditures in the relevant 12-month period are less than the total expenditures in the preceding 12-month period (a “shortfall”), we also will consider a State to have met the requirement for maintaining supplementary payment levels for the relevant 12-month period if in the following 12-month period the State increases the total expenditures required for that period by an amount at least equal to the amount of the shortfall in the relevant 12-month period. The increased amount up to the amount needed to correct the shortfall shall be deemed to be an expenditure in the relevant 12-month period, for pass-along purposes only. (See paragraph (c)(5) of this section.) (3)(i) Exception for the 6-month period from July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983: We will consider the State to have met the total-expenditures requirement for the 6-month period July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983, if— (A) Total expenditures for State supplementary payments for the period July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983, equal or exceed the total of such expenditures for the period July l, 1982 through December 31, 1982; (B) Total expenditures for State supplementary payments for the period January 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983, equal or exceed the total of such expenditures for the period January 1, 1982 through December 31, 1982; or (C) Total expenditures for State supplementary payments for the period July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983 equal or exceed one-half of the total of such expenditures for the period July 1, 1982 through June 30, 1983. The provisions of paragraphs (c)(4) and (c)(5) of this section and of § 416.2099 (b), (c), and (d) shall apply to this 6-month period in the same manner as they apply to the 12-month periods referred to therein. (ii) Exception for the 12-month period ending June 30, 1981: If a State did not meet the conditions in paragraph (b) of this section, we will consider a State to have met the maintenance-of-supplementary-payment-levels requirement for this 12-month period if the State's expenditures for supplementary payments in that period were at least equal to its expenditures for such payments for the 12-month period ending June 30, 1977 (or, if the State made no supplementary payments in that period, the expenditures for the first 12-month period ending June 30 in which the State made such payments); if a State made additional State supplementary payments during the period July 1, 1981 through June 30, 1982, in order to make up a shortfall in the 12-month period ending June 30, 1981 (determined by a comparison with the preceding 12-month period) which later resulted in an excess payment (determined by comparison with the 12-month period July 1, 1976 through June 30, 1977) we will credit the State with the amount of the excess payments if the State so requests. This credit will be applied to any shortfall(s) in total expenditures (should one exist) in any period(s) ending on or before December 31, 1986. (4) Total State expenditures for supplementary payments are the State's total payments for both mandatory minimum and optional State supplementary payments in the appropriate 12-month period less any amounts deemed to be expenditures for another 12-month period under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, less the amount of any payments recovered and other adjustments made in that period. Total State expenditures do not include State administrative expenses, interim assistance payments, vendor payments, or payments made under other Federal programs, such as titles IV, XIX, or XX of the Social Security Act. (5) Adjustments in total State supplementary payments made after the expiration of the relevant 12-month period for purposes of meeting total State expenditures under paragraph (c) of this section shall be considered a State expenditure in the relevant 12-month period only for purposes of the pass-along requirement. For purposes of § 416.2090 of this part, which discusses the rules for limitation on fiscal liability of States (hold harmless), these retroactive adjustments are State expenditures when made and shall be counted as a State expenditure in the fiscal year in which the adjustments are made. (6) To determine whether a State's expenditures for supplementary payments in the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of any increase in the level of SSI benefits are not less than the State's expenditures for the payments in the preceding 12-month period, in computing the State's expenditures, we disregard, pursuant to a one-time election of the State, all expenditures by the State for the retroactive supplementary payments that are required to be made under the Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521 (1990) class action. (d) Payments to residents to Medicaid facilities. A Medicaid facility is a medical care facility where Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of a person's care. In order to be eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement, any State that has a supplementary payment level for residents of Medicaid facilities on or after October 1, 1987, must have in effect an agreement with the Commissioner to maintain such supplementary payment level at least equal to the October 1987 level (or if a State first makes such supplementary payments after October 1, 1987, but before July 1, 1988, the level for the first month the State makes such supplementary payments).

20 C.F.R. § 416.2097 Combined supplementary/SSI payment levels.

(a) Other than the level for residents of Medicaid facilities (see paragraph (d) of this section), the combined supplementary/SSI payment level for each payment category that must be provided in any month after March 1983 (or if a State first made supplementary payments after March 1983, the combined supplementary SSI payment levels in effect the first month the State made supplementary payments) in order for a State to meet the requirement of the first sentence of § 416.2096(b) is the sum of— (1) The SSI Federal benefit rate (FBR) for March 1983 for a recipient with no countable income; (2) That portion of the July 1983 benefit increase computed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section; (3) The full amount of all SSI benefit increases after July 1983; and (4) The State supplementary payment level for March 1983 as determined under § 416.2098. (b) The monthly FBR's were increased in July 1983 by $20 for an eligible individual and $30 for an eligible couple, and the monthly increment for essential persons was increased by $10 in lieu of the expected cost-of-living adjustment which was delayed until January 1984. However, in computing the required combined supplementary/SSI payment levels for the purpose of determining pass-along compliance, we use only the amounts by which the FBR's and the essential person increment would have increased had there been a cost-of-living adjustment in July 1983 (a 3.5 percent increase would have occurred). These amounts are $9.70 for an eligible individual, $14.60 for an eligible couple and $4.50 for an essential person. (c) For the 24-month period January 1, 1984, through December 31, 1985, a State will not be found out of compliance with respect to its payment levels if in the period January 1, 1986, through December 31, 1986, its supplementary payment levels are not less than its supplementary payment levels in effect in December 1976 increased by the percentage by which the FBR has increased after December 1976 and before February 1986. The FBR for an individual in December 1976 was $167.80. The FBR for an individual in effect on January 31, 1986, was $336.00, an increase of 100.24 percent over the December 1976 FBR. In order for a State to take advantage of this provision for the 24-month period January 1, 1984, through December 31, 1985, the State supplementary payment levels in effect for calendar year 1986 must be at least 100.24 percent higher than the State supplementary payment levels in effect in December 1976. This provision does not apply to State supplementary payments to recipients in Federal living arrangement “D” (residents of a medical facility where title XIX pays more than 50 percent of the costs). (d) The combined supplementary/SSI payment level which must be maintained for residents of Medicaid facilities is the State supplement payable on October 1, 1987, or if no such payments were made on October 1, 1987, the supplementary payment amount made in the first month that a supplementary payment was made after October 1987 but before July 1, 1988, plus the Federal benefit rate in effect in October 1987 increased by $5 for an individual/$10 for a couple effective July 1, 1988.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2098 Supplementary payment levels.

(a) General. For the purpose of determining the combined supplementary/SSI payment levels described in § 416.2097(a) (i.e., the levels that must be provided in any month after March 1983), the supplementary payment level, except for the level for residents of Medicaid facilities (see § 416.2097(d)), for each payment category must be no less than the total State payment for March 1983 for that payment category that a State provided an eligible individual (or couple) with no countable income in excess of the FBR for March 1983. For States that did not make supplementary payments in March 1983, the supplementary payment level for each payment category must be no less than the total State payment for the first month after March 1983 in which a State makes supplementary payments. (b) Calculation of the required mandatory minimum State supplementary payment level. (1) Except for States described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the mandatory minimum State supplementary payment level for March 1983 is a recipient's December 1973 income, as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 93-66, plus any State increases prior to April 1983, less any reductions made at any time after December 1973 due to changes in special needs or circumstances, less the March 1983 FBR. The amount determined under the previous sentence shall continue for April, May, and June 1983. For July 1983 and later the amount calculated in the first sentence shall continue except that it may be reduced by the amount of the July 1983 Federal increase that was not related to the cost of living (i.e., $10.30), so long as that reduction does not cause the mandatory minimum State supplementary level to fall below that required by section 212(a)(3)(A) of Pub. L. 93-66. (2) Section 1618(c) of the Act permitted any State that had satisfied the requirements of section 1618 of the Act by the total-expenditures method for the 12-month period July 1, 1981, through June 30, 1982, and that elected to change and meet the section 1618 requirements by the maintenance-of-payment-levels method for the period July 1, 1982, through June 30, 1983, to do so by paying benefits at levels no lower than the levels of such payments in effect for December 1981. However, a recipient's December 1981 total income (December 1981 mandatory minimum State supplement plus the FBR) could not be less than the recipient's total income for December 1973 as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 93-66. For a State that elected the option in the preceding two sentences, the mandatory minimum State supplementary payment level for March 1983 is a recipient's December 1981 total income (but not less than the total income for December 1973 as defined by section 212(a)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 93-66) plus any State increases after December 1981 and prior to April 1983, less any reductions made at any time after December 1981 due to changes in special needs or circumstances, less the March 1983 FBR. The amount determined under the previous sentence shall continue for April, May, and June 1983. For July 1983 and later, the amount calculated under the preceding sentence defining the required March 1983 mandatory minimum State supplementary payment level would continue except that it may be reduced by the amount of the July 1983 Federal increase that was not related to the cost of living (i.e., $10.30), so long as that reduction does not cause the mandatory minimum State supplementary level to fall below that required by section 212(a)(3)(A) of Pub. L. 93-66. (c) Calculation of the required optional State supplementary payment level for flat grant amounts. The optional State supplementary payment level for March 1983 for flat grant amounts is the total amount that an eligible individual (or couple) with no countable income received for March 1983 in excess of the FBR for March 1983. The amount determined under the previous sentence shall continue for April, May, and June 1983. For July 1983 and later the amount calculated in the first sentence shall continue except that it may be reduced by the amount of the July 1983 Federal increase that was not related to the cost of living (i.e., $10.30). If the State varied its payment levels for different groups of recipients (e.g., paid recipients different amounts based on eligibility categories, geographic areas, living arrangements, or marital status), each variation represents a separate supplementary payment level. (d) Calculation of the required optional State supplementary payment level for individually budgeted grant amounts. The optional State supplementary payment level for individually budgeted grant amounts for March 1983 is the amount that the State budgeted for March 1983 in excess of the March 1983 FBR for an eligible individual (or couple) having the same needs and no countable income. The amount determined under the previous sentence shall continue for April, May, and June 1983. For July 1983 and later the amount calculated in the first sentence shall continue except that it may be reduced by the amount of the July 1983 Federal increase that was not related to the cost of living (i.e., $10.30). (e) Optional State supplementary payment level for per diem based grant amounts. (1) The optional State supplementary payment level for March 1983 for per diem grant amounts is the total dollar amount that the State paid to an eligible individual (or couple) with no countable income at rates in effect for March 1983 (number of days in the calendar month multiplied by the March 1983 per diem rate plus any March 1983 personal needs allowance) in excess of the March 1983 FBR. (2) The optional State supplementary payment level for months subsequent to March 1983 for per diem grant amounts is the total dollar amount that the State paid to an individual (or couple) with no countable income at rates in effect in March 1983 (number of days in the calendar month multiplied by the March 1983 per diem rate plus any March 1983 personal needs allowance) in excess of the March 1983 FBR for an individual (or couple) with no countable income increased by all FBR increases subsequent to March 1983 with the exception of the July 1, 1983 increase. For the July 1, 1983 increase to the FBR, a State need pass-along only that portion of the increase which represented the increase in the cost of living adjustment (3.5 percent). (f) Required optional State supplementary payment level for months prior to April 1983. In determining pass-along compliance under the maintenance-of-payment-levels test for months from July 1977 through March 1983, we used December 1976 (or December 1981 under the circumstances described in paragraph (g) of this section) as the standard month for determining the required State supplementary payment level. To determine the December 1976 State supplementary payment levels for categories described in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section substitute “December 1976” for “March 1983” and “January 1977” for “April 1983” whenever they appear in these paragraphs only. (g) Alternative required optional State supplementary payment level for July 1982 through March 1983. States which were in compliance solely under the total-expenditures test for the 12-month period ending June 30, 1982, had the option of substituting December 1981 for December 1976 and switching to the maintenance-of-payment-levels test for July 1982 through March 1983 (see § 416.2096(b)(2)). If this situation applies, determine the December 1981 State supplementary payment levels for categories described in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section by substituting “December 1981” for “March 1983” and “January 1982” for “April 1983” whenever they appear in these paragraphs only.

20 C.F.R. § 416.2099 Compliance with pass-along.

(a) Information regarding compliance. Any State required to enter into a pass-along agreement with the Commissioner shall provide appropriate and timely information to demonstrate to the Commissioner's satisfaction that the State is meeting the pass-along requirements. The information shall include, where relevant— (1) The State's December 1976 supplementary payment levels, any subsequent supplementary payment levels, and any change in State eligibility requirements. If the State made no supplementary payments in December 1976, it shall provide such information about the first month in which it makes supplementary payments; (2) The State's March 1983 supplementary payment levels, any subsequent supplementary payment levels, and any changes in State eligibility requirements; (3) The total State expenditures for supplementary payments in the 12-month period beginning July 1976 through June 1977, in each subsequent 12-month period, and in any other 12-month period beginning on the effective date of a Federal SSI benefit increase. The State shall also submit advance estimates of its total supplementary payments in each 12-month period covered by the agreement; (4) The total State expenditures for supplementary payments in the 6-month periods July 1, 1982 through December 31, 1982 and July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983; and (5) The State supplementary payment level payable to residents of Medicaid facilities (see § 416.2096(d)) on October 1, 1987 (or, if a State first makes such supplementary payments after October 1, 1987, but before July 1, 1988, the level for the month the State first makes such supplementary payments). The State shall also report all changes in such payment levels. (b) Records. Except where the Commissioner administers the State supplementary payments, the State shall maintain records about its supplementary payment levels and total 12-month (or 6-month where applicable) expenditures for supplementary payments and permit inspection and audit by the Commissioner or someone designated by the Commissioner. (c) Noncompliance by the States. Any State that makes supplementary payments on or after June 30, 1977, and does not have a pass-along agreement with the Commissioner in effect, shall be determined by the Commissioner to be ineligible for payments under title XIX of the Act. A State does not have an agreement in effect if it has not entered into an agreement or has not complied with the terms of the agreement. Ineligibility shall apply to total expenditures for any calendar quarter beginning after June 30, 1977, for which a State has not entered into an agreement. A State that enters into an agreement but does not maintain its payment levels or meet the total-expenditures test in a particular 12-month or transitional 6-month period, shall be determined by the Commissioner not to have an agreement in effect for any month that the State did not meet the pass-along requirements during that particular period. The State shall then be ineligible for title XIX payments for any calendar quarter containing a month for which an agreement was not in effect. If a State first makes supplementary payments beginning with a month after June 1977, ineligibility shall apply to any calendar quarter beginning after the calendar quarter in which the State first makes payments. (d) Notices to States about potential noncompliance. Within 90 days after the end of the relevant 12-month period, the Commissioner shall send a notice to any State that has not maintained its supplementary payment levels and that appears not to have maintained its total expenditures during the period. The notice will advise the State of the available methods of compliance and the time within which corrective action must be taken (see §§ 416.2096(b)(3) and 416.2096(c)(2)) in order to avoid a determination of noncompliance. If the State fails to take the corrective action, the Commissioner shall make a timely determination of noncompliance.

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