According to Vibes.okdiario, The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently expanded the rental subsidy exception to all Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and beneficiaries across all 50 states. Previously, this measure was only available in seven states. This significant change is expected to benefit around 41,000 Americans by providing an additional $132 for those who are paying a certain amount toward rent, exempting them from the In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations related to rental assistance.
Additional Advantages for SSI Applicants
In addition to the increased payments from the rental subsidy rule, there are further benefits for SSI applicants. With this new rule in effect, more individuals may qualify for SSI benefits than before. Previously, many potential applicants did not meet the income limits required for approval. Now, those who may have been ineligible can reapply to see if they qualify under the new regulations.
It will be interesting to compare the Monthly Statistical Snapshot for August 2024, released in September, with the one published in October. This comparison will allow SSI recipients to observe how the average payments have increased from the current average of $698.
Changes to ISM Calculations
Effective September 30, 2024, the SSA will no longer include food in the In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations. This change is expected to increase benefit payments for more than 90,000 SSI recipients. Beneficiaries can anticipate an increase of approximately $131, providing much-needed relief during challenging financial times.
Positive Impact on Recipients
With inflation and rising prices making it increasingly difficult for many to make ends meet, this news is a welcome development for thousands of Supplemental Security Income recipients across the United States. The SSA is also expanding the definition of a public assistance household, positively affecting recipients who receive SNAP benefits, particularly if not everyone in the household is receiving public assistance.
For more details on this expansion and its benefits, you can visit the official SSA press release here.
