SSA issues SSR 26-2p on documenting and evaluating disability in young adults
Brief summary: The Social Security Administration published SSR 26-2p, which explains SSA policies and consolidates regulatory information on documenting and evaluating disability in young adults, and rescinds and replaces SSR 11-2p.
Why it matters: Claimants who are young adults will be evaluated under the guidance in SSR 26-2p, which sets out how SSA documents and assesses disability for that population and replaces the prior SSR 11-2p.
SSA rescinds Acquiescence Ruling AR 90-2(2) on rental subsidy as in-kind SSI income
Brief summary: The Commissioner of Social Security gave notice of the rescission of AR 90-2(2), which addressed the evaluation of a rental subsidy as in-kind income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit calculation purposes (Ruppert v. Bowen, 871 F.2d 1172 (2d Cir. 1989)).
Why it matters: The rescission affects prior agency guidance about treating rental subsidies as in-kind income for SSI benefit calculations and may change how such subsidies are considered in SSI determinations.
SSA revises Listing criteria for evaluating cardiovascular disorders
Brief summary: SSA published revisions to the criteria in the Listing of Impairments used to evaluate claims involving cardiovascular disorders in adults and children under Titles II and XVI, reflecting adjudicative experience, medical advances, and public comments to the NPRM.
Why it matters: Claimants with cardiovascular disorders will be evaluated under updated Listing criteria that may affect disability determinations for both adults and children.
New matching program with OPM to verify Extra Help eligibility
Brief summary: SSA announced a matching program with the Office of Personnel Management under which OPM will provide SSA with civil service benefit and payment data to verify individuals' self-certification of eligibility for the Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs program and to identify individuals who may qualify as part of SSA's Medicare outreach.
Why it matters: Individuals claiming Extra Help may have their self-certified eligibility verified using OPM civil service benefit and payment data, and SSA will use the data to identify potential Extra Help beneficiaries for outreach.
Matching program with CMS to share nursing facility admission/discharge data for SSI and SVB administration
Brief summary: SSA announced a new matching program with CMS under which CMS will disclose individuals' admission and discharge information for care received in certain nursing care facilities; SSA will use this information to administer the SSI program and to identify Special Veterans' Benefits beneficiaries who are no longer residing outside the United States.
Why it matters: SSA will use CMS nursing facility admission and discharge data to help administer SSI more efficiently and to identify SVB beneficiaries whose residency status has changed, which can affect benefit administration.
Re-established matching program with Fiscal Service to verify savings securities for SSI eligibility and benefit amounts
Brief summary: SSA re-established a matching program with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, under which Fiscal Service will disclose savings security data to SSA so SSA can determine continued SSI eligibility or the correct benefit amount for recipients and deemors who did not report or incorrectly reported ownership of savings securities.
Why it matters: SSI applicants, recipients, and deemors who own savings securities may have eligibility or benefit amounts verified or adjusted based on Fiscal Service data if they failed to report or misreported ownership.