SSI Benefits Chart for 2024 Now Available
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has posted the 2024 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplement Program (SSP) Maximum Monthly Benefit Levels Chart, which provides the 2024 benefit levels inclusive of the 3.2 percent federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase.
Adult care facility (ACF) residents are categorized on the chart as Congregate Care Level 3. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the federal monthly SSI benefit will be $943 and the SSP benefit will remain unchanged at $694. Together, that amounts to a total monthly benefit of $1,637, which includes a Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) of $249.00 per month. Thus, the ACF provider will receive $1,388 per month for individuals in receipt of SSI and SSP. Members may recall that LeadingAge NY previously provided an estimation of the benefits, but we want to note that our per-day calculation did not recognize that 2024 is a leap year. Bearing that additional day in mind, ACFs will receive approximately $45.50 per day in 2024 for each SSI/SSP resident in their care.
As a reminder, ACF residents must provide at least 30 days notice to residents of an increase in rates, and assisted living residences must provide at least 45 days notice. DOH articulated in last year’s Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) regarding the SSI rate increase that an operator may increase the rate with less than the requisite notice if the resident voluntarily agrees to such a rate increase in writing. In either case, operators are required to amend the admission/residency agreement and offer eligible residents, in writing, an opportunity to place PNA funds in a facility-maintained account. Since this year’s DAL is not yet released, we are providing last year’s as a reference. The DAL provides information to help operators provide notice to residents who receive SSI and reminds of other related regulatory responsibilities.
Members are reminded that LeadingAge NY has filed a lawsuit against the State regarding the inadequacy of SSP, the state portion of this benefit. While a COLA is applied to the federal portion of the benefit each year, there is no such mechanism to update SSP. As noted, the benefit remains unchanged at $694, falling far short of the cost of providing ACF services. Unfortunately, the legal process has been slow, and the matter remains unresolved at this time.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828