BASIC (11-02)

POLICY

To determine the amount of SSI benefits, which would be paid to an individual, it is necessary to consider the countable income that must be applied against his/her Federal benefit rate (FBR). It is also necessary to consid­er other factors which affect payment for particular quarters or months within the quarter (e.g.. death. absence from the U.S., change in income and/or resources, hospitalization, living in the household of another, di­vorce, or marriage). In the following sections, computa­tions resulting from these various situations are discussed. Examples used throughout this chapter do not always reflect current FBR's since these amounts are subject to periodic change (cost-of-living increases).

There are only three types of computations in the SSI program:

1. Quarterly Computation

In this computation, the total income received in the quarter is considered when determining the payment for each month.

Use a quarterly computation:

• even if all months in the quarter do not have the same FBR.

• even if there are one or two months of ineligibility in the quarter.

See http://dalnet.kc.ssa.gov/ssi/Guides/QrtlySSIComp-DalDen.doc to access quarterly comp software.

2. Monthly computation

In this computation, the income received in each month is considered sepa­rately when determining the payment for each month. Only the income received in that month af­fects the payment for that month.

Use the monthly computation:

• in the initial quarter of eligibility when the SSI recipient files an application in the second or third month of a quarter.

• when a presumptive disability or blindness finding is effective with the second or third month of a quarter.

3. Short Quarter Computation

In this computation, the calendar quarter is divided into one-month or two-month segments. Only the income received in the applicable segment is considered in determin­ing the countable income and the resulting pay­ment amount for the short quarter.

Use the short quarter computation when a change in "couple status" is effective in the second or third month of a quarter.

Examples include:

• An eligible individual becomes a member of an eligible couple

• An eligible couple dissolves

• Spouse -to- spouse deeming does not apply for one or two months in a quarter.

• One member of an eligible couple is in a medical treatment facility for a full calendar month. (Additionally. the facility receives payments for providing this treatment under a State plan approved under title XIX that covers a substantial part of the cost of the stay.)