UPSTATE AND NYC MESSAGE   
ARIEL
DSS-4357EL                                                                
WGIUPD                  GENERAL INFORMATION SYSTEM               07/03/01 
                   DIVISION:  Temporary Assistance               PAGE   
GIS 01 TA/DC025                                                           
                                                                          
TO:  Commissioners                                                        
                                                                          
FROM:  Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner                           
       Division of Temporary Assistance                                   

SUBJECT:  Temporary Assistance Budgeting: Implications of Federal         
          SSI/SSA Rate Miscalculation Adjustments                         
                                                                          
EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately                                             
CONTACT PERSON:  Temporary Assistance: Central Region at (518) 474-9344  

	The Social Security Administration (SSA) will begin issuing retroactive payment adjustments for RSDI/SSI in mid-July to correct a federal miscalculation of the consumer price index. SSA will also begin increasing ongoing RSDI/SSI benefits as of August 1, 2001 to reflect the correct benefit amount. This GIS explains the implications of these two changes for Temporary Assistance (TA) recipients.

	There are two categories of TA cases impacted at this time: congregate care residents and recipients with SSA income. Districts must take the following action with respect to these cases.

Congregate Care Residents

	Upstate, ABEL is being changed so that any new congregate care budgets stored after July 8th with a FROM date of 8/1/01 will reflect the correct increased congregate care rates. For NYC, it is expected that ABEL budgets stored after July 21, 2001 with a FROM date of of 8/1/01 will reflect the increased congregate care rates. Districts must adjust these budgets prospectively at the time of the next budgetary change.

SSA Recipients

	Since the retroactive lump sum RSDI payment is minimal (most likely less than $20) and it is unlikely districts will be able to adjust budgets in time to reflect its receipt, districts need not take any action with respect to these retroactive payments for TA. It would not be cost effective administratively to calculate and recover overpayments for the small amounts that are expected to be issued. However, at the time of next case action districts must verify the increased RSDI benefits and adjust the TA budget prospectively to reflect the increased ongoing RSDI benefits.

	Food Stamps instructions regarding the RSDI/SSI adjustments were contained in 01 TA/DC021.  Districts are reminded that FS claims must NOT be established for cases based on their monthly RSDI or SSI increase not being budgeted before January 2002.

	An Administrative Directive containing more details will follow.