Effective Dates: 03/23/2012 - Present Previous | Next

SI BOS00830.175 Assistance Based On Need

A. Introduction

The following describes state payments excluded from income for SSI purposes as assistance based on need.

B. Policy

1. Massachusetts Veterans Services Payments

The Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services provides assistance payments to veterans meeting pre-established criteria. Income and resource levels are used to determine eligibility for this program. Funding for these payments is shared by the State of Massachusetts and the local communities. Each community in Massachusetts has a veterans service office which is part of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services.

Massachusetts Veterans Services payments are excluded from income for purposes of SSI as assistance based on need.

2. Housing Assistance from the Office of Community Mental Health Services Administration (CMHSA), New Hampshire Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services

a. General

The Office of Community Mental Health Services Administration (CMHSA) funds 10 Regional Mental Health Centers throughout the State of New Hampshire. These Centers, along with their numerous branch offices, provide services to disabled persons (including children and the elderly), who are in need of mental health care. One form of CMHSA assistance is a housing subsidy program whereby rent is paid directly to an individual's landlord. This program uses income as a criteria in determining eligibility. It is entirely funded by the State of New Hampshire. All subsidies received by recipients under the CMSHA program are excluded as assistance based on need. If information is necessary, the FO should contact the Mental Health Center closest to the claimant s residence.

b. CMHSA Listings

Geographical Region Name Address Phone

I Northern

Northern NH Health and Developmental Services

87 Washington Street,

Conway 03818

603-447-3347

II West Central

West Central Services, Inc.

2 Whipple Place,

Suite 202,

Lebanon 03766

603-448-0126

III Lakes

Genesis-The Counseling Group

111 Church Street,

Laconia 03246

603-524-1100

IV Central

Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc.

5 Market Lane,

PO Box 2032,

Concord 03302- 2032

603-228-1551

IV Central

Fellowship House, Inc.

3 Elm Street,

Concord 03301

603-225-0977

V Monadnock

Monadnock Family Services

64 Main Street,

Suite 301,

Keene 03431

603-357-6878

VI Nashua

Community Council of Nashua, NH, Inc.

7 Prospect Street,

Nashua 03060- 3990

603-889-6147

VII Manchester

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester

401 Cypress Street, Manchester 03103-3268

603-668-4111

VIII Seacoast

Seacoast Mental Health Center, Inc.

1145 Sagamore Avenue, Portsmouth 03801

603-431-6703

IX Strafford

Strafford Guidance Center, Inc.

130 Central Avenue,

Dover 03820

603-742-0630

X Southern

CLM Behavioral Health Systems

Salem Professional Park,

44 Stiles Road,

Salem 03079

603-893-3548

3. Housing Subsidy from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development

In July 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) created a temporary rental subsidy program titled Flex Funds. Flex Funds temporary rental subsidies are only available to families who are eligible for temporary emergency family shelter through the Emergency Assistance program. Beginning August 1, 2011, DHCD began issuing similar temporary subsidies called HomeBASE. Both programs are wholly funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and both programs use income as a factor of eligibility.

Exclude any rental subsidies from either the Flex Flunds or HomeBASE program as assistance based on need.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830175BOS
SI BOS00830.175 - Assistance Based On Need - 03/23/2012
Batch run: 04/29/2015
Rev:03/23/2012