SSI and SSP Benefit Levels Chart for 2023 Now Available

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has released the 2023 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplement Program (SSP) Maximum Monthly Benefit Levels Chart, which reflects the 8.7 percent federal cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase effective Jan. 1, 2023. This chart guides the Department of Health (DOH) in its annual Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) providing adult care facilities (ACFs) with the information necessary to provide notice to residents regarding the 2023 Congregate Care Level 3 rates, which would be increased to reflect the federal COLA in 2023.

Members are reminded that the COLA applies only to the federal SSI benefit and the personal needs allowance (PNA). The SSP rate does not have a COLA and remains stagnant at $694 per month for residents of ACFs in 2023. The federal portion of the benefit will be increased to $914, and the PNA to $241, per month in 2023. Thus, the total monthly benefit will be $1,608, and the ACF will receive $1,367 per month when the PNA is taken into account. This translates to ACFs receiving approximately $44.94 per day to house and care for recipients of SSI/SSP. Please note that our initial estimations we had shared with members earlier in the month were off by one dollar given how the State rounded the figures. The official figures in the OTDA chart shared here are what you should use.

DOH has not yet issued its annual DAL regarding the COLA. Members may use the 2022 DAL to guide them in notification to residents of the 2023 rate change. As a reminder, assisted living residence (ALR) providers must provide 45 days notice of an increase in rate, and other ACFs must provide 30 days.

While we are pleased to see this increase in benefits, particularly given rapidly increasing costs, the ACF rate for SSI/SSP-eligible residents is insufficient to provide the regulatorily required services of an ACF. LeadingAge NY continues to pursue a lawsuit regarding the inadequacy of the State benefit.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828