TN 12 (01-00)

SI 02005.086 MMSS Cases Using SCI

A. Background

For administrative ease, whenever FCI produces the same MMSS payment as SCI, SSA uses FCI because only FCI can be maintained in the system. However, there may be some situations when FCI and SCI produce different MMSS payment computations. In such instances, SCI must be used.

The number of cases which could result in a different MMSS payment by using the SCI computation rather than the FCI computation is very low. This small percentage is caused by changes during the course of the SSI program such as:

  • Increases in FBR;

  • Increases in OSS;

  • Movement of recipients from one State to another; and

  • Death of converted recipients.

B. Policy

1. Need to use SCI

SCI-based MMSS cases are generally maintained under force pay procedures. However, if the record is terminated and reestablished, the new record must be established under force due procedures (see MSOM BUSSR 002.001 and SM 01801.000).

2. Kinds of cases reviewed

Cases involving changes in either income or other basic factors of eligibility are those most likely affected, and are called “High Risk” cases which include:

  1. a. 

    All mandatory supplement recipients still on the SSI roles who are members of a couple; and

  2. b. 

    All mandatory supplement recipients still on the SSI roles who have one or more of the following types of income included in the MIL or the computation month's income:

    • Deemed income;

    • Earned income;

    • In-kind income (including ISM subject to the PMV but not the VTR); and

    • Blind countable income.

3. Periods for comparison

When determining whether a case is to be maintained on an SCI basis, compare the MMSS payments for both FCI and SCI for the following month(s):

  • The first month in which the recipient receives MMSS or meets the characteristics in SI 02005.086B.2. (unless comparison has already been made for such month); and

  • Any month after the month described above during which a change in countable income (Federal, State, or both) or record composition is effective.

C. Procedure

1. Obtaining needed information

If there is insufficient information available to determine an individual's correct SCI, follow the procedures shown in SI 02005.082D.7. If these sources do not provide what is needed, contact the appropriate regional office (RO) for assistance.

  1. a. 

    If the RO provides needed information, document the recipient's file to show:

    • The source of the information about SCI;

    • The MIL under both FCI and SCI methods;

    • The amount of income used in determining SCI;

    • The income disregards; and

    • The computation of the MMSS amounts under both computations.

  2. b. 

    If sufficient SCI information to perform the MMSS computation cannot be obtained by the preferred methods:

    • Continue to use FCI information.

    • Document the case file to show that further efforts to establish the case on an SCI basis have been curtailed.

2. FCI and SCI computation formulas

  1. a. 

    Use the following formulas to compute the MIL, MMSS eligibility and MMSS payment using FCI:

    • FCI MIL = December 1973 State grant +December 1973 FCI +State increases - State decreases.

    • MMSS eligibility = Computation Month (CM) FCI MIL (CM Federal eligibility amount +CM FCI +CM in-kind income, if any).

    • MMSS payment = CM FCI MIL - (CM SSI FAM +CM FCI +CM in-kind income, if any).

  2. b. 

    Use the following formulas to compute the MIL, MMSS eligibility and MMSS payment using SCI:

    • SCI MIL = December 1973 State grant +December 1973 SCI +State increases - State decreases.

    • MMSS eligibility = CM SCI MIL (CM Federal eligibility amount +CM SCI +CM in-kind income, if any).

    • MMSS payment = CM SCI MIL - (CM SSI FAM +CM SCI +CM in-kind income, if any).

  3. c. 

    Compare the results of the FCI and SCI computations. Then follow the procedures in SI 02005.086C.3.

3. Maintaining “High Risk” cases

  1. a. 

    If SCI-based MMSS differs from FCI-based MMSS, SCI is used to compute MMSS both retroactively (subject to administrative finality) and prospectively.

    Case must be force paid. If any changes develop, make a determination as to the effect the change in income has on the SCI. If necessary, contact the State or local welfare office for additional information.

  2. b. 

    If SCI-based MMSS does not differ from FCI-based MMSS, use FCI to compute MMSS and the case is maintained through SSA's system.

    NOTE: If a recipient is eligible to receive an OSS payment higher than the MMSS and the MMSS payment computed by the system is equal to or lower than the OSS payment computed by the system, the case need not be maintained under force pay procedures for this period. Rather, handle it as though the SCI and FCI based payments are equal, but maintain control in case of future changes in income or other circumstances. If the system derived MMSS payment is higher than the OSS payment, use force due to avoid payment of the incorrect higher MMSS.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502005086
SI 02005.086 - MMSS Cases Using SCI - 01/19/2000
Batch run: 10/16/2024
Rev:01/19/2000