The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) uses fiscal intermediaries (FI)s to purchase support services and products for its clients in the State's Self Determination Program. The FI signs a contract with DMR outlining the responsibilities of the FI, which include assisting the family with the new responsibility of handling medical and social service funds. DMR pays the State funds on a quarterly basis with one extra month at the beginning. The contract specifically states what the funds can be used for.

The contract between DMR and the FI states what the funds can be used for. The FI can purchase only medical and social service items. The funds cannot be used to purchase any food, clothing or shelter items. These payments meet the definition of cash received from a medical or social services program to purchase medical or social services and are not income to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary in the month of receipt.

These payments for medical and/or social services are not income in the month of receipt per SI 00815.050, and are not a resource for one calendar month following the month of receipt per SI 01120.110. The agency's policy does not allow the FI to use the funds to repay medical or social services' bills previously paid by the client. DMR and the FI understand that funds retained beyond the month of receipt and one additional month will count towards the SSI resource limit.

SI 00815.050

SI 01120.110