Effective Dates: 4/19/2023 - Present

Identification Number:
DI 60005 BASIC
Intended Audience:See Transmittal Sheet
Originating Office:ORDP ORDES
Title:Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM

Part DI – Disability Insurance

Chapter 600 – Research Studies, Demonstrations and Experiments

Subchapter 05 – Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial

Transmittal No. BASIC, 04/19/2023

Audience

PSC: BA, CA, CS, DE, DEC, DS, DTE, ICDS, IES, ILPDS, ISRA, PETE, RECONR, SCPS, TSA, TST;
OCO-OEIO: BIES, CC, CR, CTE, ERE, FCR, FDE, PETL, RECONE, RECONR, RECOVR;
OCO-ODO: BET, BTE, CCE, CR, CST, CT, CTE, CTE TE, DE, DEC, DS, DSE, PETE, PETL, RCOVTA;
ODD-DDS: ADJ, DHU;
FO/TSC: CS, CS TII, CS TXVI, CSR, CTE, DRT, FR, OA, OS, RR, TA, TSC-CSR;

Originating Component

ORDES

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

This POMS section describes a new demonstration called the Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT). The sections provide a description of the project and who is eligible to volunteer to participate. The sections detail the two waivers of SSA program policy necessary to implement the project and the procedures for technicians who encounter these cases.

Summary of Changes

DI 60005.005 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Overview

Added one link in subsection c.

DI 60005.010 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Participants

Added sentence in subsection a to provide directions for technicians in the event a participant moves to another region.

DI 60005.015 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Unearned Income Waiver

Added link at the end of the section.

DI 60005.020 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Resource Waiver

Edited wording in subsection a and added link in subsection b.

DI 60005.005 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Overview

A. Background

The Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) tests guaranteed income (GI) for adults with cancer in active treatment to learn about its interaction with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Some participants in the demonstration may receive SSI or might apply for these benefits because of an impairment and limited income and resources. To become GIFTT participants, individuals must sign an informed consent form that advises them of how the project will be conducted and that they do not have to participate. SSA has approved the consent form.

Eligible GIFTT participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group. The treatment group receives monthly GI payments for 12 months (specifically, $1,000 each month), along with benefits counseling. The control group receives the typical supports available to cancer patients at their hospital, including a referral to a social worker or navigator.

GIFTT is being conducted in certain counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

  • •

    In Pennsylvania: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia (to include City of Philadelphia), and Upper Darby.

  • •

    In New Jersey: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, and Warren.

Along with SSA, the project is being conducted with the University of Pennsylvania and the Humanity Forward Foundation. The University of Pennsylvania is conducting the recruitment and the evaluation and Humanity Forward Foundation is administering the GI payment and providing benefits counseling services.

Humanity Forward Foundation will provide participants with a debit card, Akimbo Now, through which they can access the GI payments. Participants have the option to register to receive monthly statements. All questions related to the administration of the GI payments and the debit card should be referred to the GIFTT contact from the Humanity Forward Foundation in DI60005.005E.

The project began in March 2023 and runs through April 2030.

Note: 

To conduct this demonstration, we are waiving certain SSI program rules, which are referred to in this POMS section as GIFTT waivers.

B. Summary of GIFTT Waivers

The following GIFTT waivers apply to GIFTT participants and their spouses and children in the same household:

  • •

    Exclude the GI payments from income (see DI 60005.015).

  • •

    Exclude the GI payments from resources for up to four years, during the 12 months of receipt of GI plus a period of three years after receipt of the final GI payment (see DI 60005.020).

C. Field Office (FO) Representatives

To work as effectively as possible with beneficiaries, GIFTT needs the support of SSA Field Offices (FOs) to assist with filing applications for SSI, implementing the GIFTT waivers, answering questions related to the waivers, general program information, and specific claimant data (see DI 60005.010).

D. National 800 Number Network (N8NN) Responsibilities

The responsibility of the National 800 number network (N8NN) will be limited to referrals. If someone calls the N8NN to inquire about the demonstration, refer the caller to the appropriate FO of jurisdiction. N8NN agents should document eLAS screens with remarks indicating the claimant is a GIFTT participant.

E. Regional and GIFTT Project Contacts

New York Region

Melissa Maldonado, Area Operations Analyst

Area Directors Office, New Jersey

Melissa.Maldonado@ssa.gov

Philadelphia Region

Brandon Richardson, Social Insurance Specialist

Philadelphia Regional Office

Brandon.Richardson@ssa.gov

Humanity Forward Foundation

Jennifer Kellett, Director of Guaranteed Income Programs

(703) 314-7663

jennifer@humanityforwardfoundation.org

 

DI 60005.010 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Participants

 

A. Documenting GIFTT Participation

The Office of Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support (ORDES) will provide a list of participants who enrolled or withdrew on a monthly basis to the Regional contacts (listed in DI 60005.005E). For SSI recipients who enroll in GIFTT, the Regional contact will send the monthly project participation information to the FO of jurisdiction for input into the Disability Control File (DCF) and Supplemental Security Record (SSR).

For participants who apply for benefits while they are participants in GIFTT, the systems notations should be input by FO technicians in the Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE) and SSR upon initial contact. Participants are provided a letter from GIFTT that confirms their participation status in the project. FO technicians can also verify participation with their Regional contacts.

Under the usual business process, the Regional contacts will provide the FO the project participation information on a monthly basis to update the DCF and SSR to reflect the status of GIFTT participation. In the event someone contacts SSA who claims to be a GIFTT participant but does not appear in the system, FO technicians should alert the Regional contact immediately (listed in DI 60005.005E). The Regional contact will confirm participation status with the GIFTT project contact. If participation is confirmed, the Regional contact will provide the FO the project participation information to input in the DCF and SSR and the Regional contact will then alert ORDES.

Note: 

GIFTT participation does not stop when a participant moves out of the area served by the GIFTT. The Office of Public Service and Operations Support (OPSOS) will alert affected regions when a participant moves into its jurisdiction. If a claimant alleges participation in GIFTT but resides outside of the Philadelphia or New York regions, contact the CDPS in your region.

B. Procedures

1. For GIFTT participants who apply for benefits

FO technicians input the project participation information into the CCE and SSR during the initial claim.

a. CCE Input

Input the following in the Direct Report of Contact field:

  • •

    GIFTT participant

  • •

    GIFTT start date (date of first GI payment)

  • •

    GIFTT evidence submitted by claimant (EP/EVIEW)

  • •

    GIFTT POMS DI 60005.000

b. SSR Input

  • •

    Input GIFT MMYY in the CG field (where MMYY is the first monthly GI payment). For example, GIFT 0923 would indicate the first GI payment was received in September 2023. GIFTT is shortened here because of the character limitation in this field.

    Note: 

    Every GIFTT participant must have this entry. It is important for the demonstration research that the CG field is not overlaid by a subsequent input.

  • •

    Input the following in the Remarks field, "GIFTT waiver case - special income and resource exclusions - call FO ### - retain this remark until 04/30/2030."

2. For SSI recipients who enroll in GIFTT

On a monthly basis, Regional contacts will send the project participation lists to FO technicians who then input the information into the SSR and DCF. Follow the SSR instructions listed in DI 60005.010B.1.b and DCF input instructions here.

DCF Input

  • •

    Select Option 32 from SSA Main Menu in PCOM.

  • •

    Select Option 16 from CDR Selection Menu.

  • •

    Input GI in the Demo Indicator Field. GI is the demonstration code for GIFTT.

  • •

    Input the MMDDYYYY in the Participation Start Date field where the MMDDYYYY is the month, day, and year the individual received the first GI payment.

  • •

    Input the MMDDYYYY in the Participation Stop Date field where the MMDDYYYY is the month, day, and year the participant is no longer eligible for the GIFTT waivers. This date is four years after the Participation Start Date. For example, if the participant start date (date of first GI payment) is September 15, 2023, the participant stop date is August 31, 2027.

 

DI 60005.015 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Unearned Income Waiver

 

A. GIFTT Waiver Policy

For Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) participants receiving guaranteed income (GI) payments, exclude the monthly $1,000 GI from counting as unearned income. These payments are also excluded from income for deeming purposes for other eligible individuals in the same household. Participants will receive the GI payments for a period of 12 months on an Akimbo Now debit card.

If an individual enrolls by the 9th day of the month, that person receives the first GI payment on the 15th of that month. If an individual enrolls after the 9th day of the month, that person receives the first GI payment on 15th of following month.

All GI payments are deposited on the Akimbo Now debit card on the 15th of month, unless it falls on a weekend, in which case it is the business day prior to the 15th.

B. Procedures

When an applicant, recipient, or deemor alleges participation in GIFTT and proof exists (e.g., eLAS documentation, CCE, SSID, or DCF documentation, GIFTT participation letter, Akimbo Now card statements showing GIFTT payments):

Inform the individuals that they are responsible for reporting to SSA if they change their place of residence. The correct address is necessary for proper FO jurisdiction purposes.

  1. 1. 

    On the Other Income option under Income Payment Page in SSI Claims:

    • •

      Per the allegation or verification, enter $1000.00 in the ALLEGED AMOUNT or VERIFIED AMOUNT field for the month the GIFTT payment was made.

    • •

      Enter $1,000 in the OTHER DEDUCTION AMOUNT ($$).

    • •

      Enter GIFTT PAYMENT EXCLUSION in OTHER DEDUCTION AMOUNT REASON field.

  2. 2. 

    Verify the case has been correctly identified in the Case Characteristics Code (CG) field on the SSR Special Messages page in CCE or via 1719B for non-MSSICS cases (see SM 01301.785, SM 01601.460, and MS 08125.010).

  3. 3. 

    On the Development Worksheet page in CCE, in the ISSUE field, enter GIFTT. In the REMARKS field, enter GIFTT PMTS, and set a tickle date for one year.

If it is alleged during a redetermination that GIFTT participation ended, verify participation status with your Regional contact.

Note: 

If no proof of GIFTT participation is available, confirm participation immediately with your Regional contact listed in DI 60005.005E.

  • •

    See DI 60005.010 for general documentation of GIFTT participation.

 

 

DI 60005.020 Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) Resource Waiver

 

A. GIFTT Waiver Policy

For Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial (GIFTT) participants and their spouses and children, exclude retained guaranteed income (GI) payments from resources. The resource exclusion applies during the 12 months of receipt of GI payments plus a period of three years (36 months) after receipt of the final GI payment.

Normal resource transfer rules apply to GI payments. See SI 01150.001 for more information on developing resource transfers.

B. Procedures

1. Documenting the resource in the SSI Claim system

When an applicant, recipient, or deemor alleges participation in GIFTT and proof of participation exists (e.g., eLAS documentation, CCE, SSR, or DCF documentation, GIFTT participation letter, Akimbo Now card statements showing GIFTT payments):

a. Create an Other Resources page by selecting Prepaid Debit Card option and enter following information:

  • •

    Type – Prepaid Debit Card

  • •

    Income From Property – No

  • •

    Description – GIFTT Akimbo Now

  • •

    Co-Owned – No

  • •

    Values

    • –

      Date From – the month after the month of receipt of first GIFTT payment;

    • –

      Date To – 48 months from Date From field;

    • –

      Input same amount for Alleged Value and Excluded Amount fields or;

    • –

      If the evidence (e.g., Akimbo Now card statement) is available, enter verified amount in the Verified Value as well as Excluded Amount fields.

b. Inform individuals that they are responsible for reporting to SSA if they change place of residence for proper FO jurisdiction purposes.

c. Verify the case has been correctly identified in the Case Characteristics Code (CG) field on the SSR Special Messages page in CCE or via 1719B for non-MSSICS cases. (See SM 01301.785, SM 01601.460, and MS 08125.010).

d. On the Development Worksheet page in CCE:

  • •

    Enter GIFTT ASSET in the ISSUE field; and

  • •

    Enter DEV GIFTT ASSET in the REMARKS field and set a tickle date for four years to monitor and ensure payments are excluded from resources for the duration of the trial.

Note: 

If no proof of GIFTT participation exists, confirm participation with your Regional contact (listed in DI 60005.005E).

2. Verifying balances and exclusion amounts

Verify card balances when liquid resources meet or exceed the tolerance in SI 01140.010 When verification is required, during the PERCs, RZs or LIs, verify the Akimbo Now card account information using the card statement. Not all participants will receive card statements. Obtain account records and card statements from the GIFTT project contact (listed in DI60005.005E) when the participant is not able to provide statements.

Take action to exclude retained GIFTT payments for the duration of the trial (12 months plus the additional 36 months, or a total of 48 months).

In addition, develop any allegations of resource transfers or changes to participation:

  • •

    If GIFTT participation allegedly ends, verify participation status with your Regional contact (listed in DI 60005.005E). See DI 60005.010 for documenting GIFTT participation.

  • •

    If a participant alleges transferring funds from the Akimbo Now card to another account and the retained amount is material to eligibility, take action to exclude the funds from the appropriate account. When evaluating the account balance, consider the commingling assumptions discussed in SI 01130.700.

  • •

    If a participant alleges giving away the funds or otherwise transferring them at less than fair market value, develop the transfer following normal policies. See SI 01150.001 for more information.

 

DI 60005 BASIC - Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment Trial - 4/19/2023