If a Title XVI recipient is in a Title XIX facility, the regulations require that
the SSI standard payment amount be used only for the recipient's personal needs or
saved on their behalf.
SSA policy requires that for any beneficiary who resides in any type of institution;
e.g., a hospital, nursing home, etc. payees are expected to spend a minimum of $30
per month ($360 a year) for the beneficiary's personal needs unless the amount of
benefits paid throughout the reporting period is less than $360. If the amount of
benefits paid throughout the reporting period (TAA) is less than $360, the payee is
expected to spend that amount on the beneficiary's personal needs. In rare circumstances,
spending $30 per month on personal needs may not be appropriate. In these cases, the
circumstances should be clearly documented by either the payee on the annual reporting
form or by SSA personnel following any necessary development.
REMEMBER: A qualified organizational payee (i.e., fee-for-service) cannot collect a fee from
an institutionalized beneficiary's personal needs allowance (see GN 00506.220 and GN 00506.240).
NOTE: For instructions about how to resolve questionable responses, or if the payee indicates
benefits were used for any other purpose than stated in GN 00605.067D.2. and GN 00605.067D.3., see Use of Benefits, GN 00602.000.