NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Changes to State Supplementary Payment Levels

[40 Pa.B. 479]
[Saturday, January 16, 2010]

 The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Public Welfare's (Department) changes to the State Supplementary Payments (SSP) levels codified at 55 Pa. Code Chapter 299, Appendix A (relating to SSP payment levels) under 55 Pa. Code § 299.37 (relating to SSP payment level changes) and 20 CFR 416.2096 and 416.2097.

 The Social Security Administration (SSA) established Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amounts as a national minimum assistance standard which does not take into account the differences in the cost of living throughout the country. States have the option to provide additional assistance through the SSP program to address these differences.

 The Commonwealth opted to provide the SSP to eligible individuals. SSI recipients receive a separate SSI payment from SSA and an SSP benefit from the Commonwealth. Due to state budget limitations, the amount budgeted for SSP for State Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 will not be enough to cover projected payments at the current pay rates. Further, the number of people who qualify for SSP has increased from 353,301 in July 2009 to approximately 362,383 anticipated for June 2010. Therefore, SSP payments that are administered by the Department for individuals and couples residing in independent living arrangements and households of another, will be reduced by the amounts set forth in Appendix A of this section. These decreased SSP payment levels are effective February 2010.

 Based on the directive from the Governor and the General Assembly, the SSP for domiciliary care home was increased by $45 effective October 1, 2007, and the SSP for personal care home was increased by $45 effective July 1, 2006. All SSI recipients continue to be automatically eligible for Medical Assistance.

Fiscal Impact

 Savings is estimated at $9.403 million in FY in 2009-2010 with full-year implementation savings estimated at $22.931 million in FY 2010-2011.

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the Department at the following address: Edward J. Zogby, Bureau of Policy, Room 431, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or at ezogby@state.pa.us. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for any subsequent revision of the notice.

 Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the PennsylvaniaAT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

ESTELLE B. RICHMAN, 
Secretary

 Fiscal Note:  14-NOT-629. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 55. PUBLIC WELFARE

PART II. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MANUAL

Subpart I. OTHER INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

CHAPTER 299.  SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM AND STATE SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT PROGRAM

GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR STATE-ADMINISTERED OPTIONAL SSP

§ 299.37. SSP payment level changes.

 Revisions to the SSP payment levels will be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for codification in Appendix A.

APPENDIX A

SSP Payment Levels

	Individual	Couple
Residing in an Independent Living  Arrangement	$22.10	$33.30
Residing in the Household of  Another	$25.53	$38.44
Residing in a Domiciliary Care  Home	$434.30	$947.40
Residing in a Personal Care Home	$439.30	$957.40

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-118. Filed for public inspection January 15, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]

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