POMS Reference

SI 01210: Special Blind Income Provision

A. General

Countable income derived by the use of Forms A, B, and C is the BCI. BCI is coded on the system as UM type K income (MSOM INTRANETSSI 014.065 and POMS SM 01305.315. For periods prior to April 1982, the K UM amounts derived for individual months must be averaged over the calendar quarter before being input. For periods beginning April 1982, input the amounts as a monthly amount. When UM type K is on the record, the system compares BCI with CI/FR and uses the lower amount to compute payment. If correct UM type K income is input to the SSR, the system will automatically determine the amount of any underpayment due. For cases in which systems limitations prevent the automated computation of any underpayment due, you will need to compute the underpayment manually (SI SF01210.525 Form D or other equivalent method) and pay by A-OTP.

B. Specific Input Situations

The specific input required in each case will depend on the status of the case. The possible situations are:

Record Situation Is:

Action:

Other than terminated or force due status and record covers the entire period for which the underpayment (UP is due (i.e., there are no multiple records on which payments are due).

Input correct UM type K amount. The system will compute the UP.

Other than terminated or force due status, but record does not cover the entire period of UP (i.e., the current record is a start date (SD) record and some UP is due for a period prior to SD).

Input UM type K from the SD forward for the current record. Input an A-OTP for the UP due prior to the SD and post to the current record.

The A-OTP and K UM data cannot be transmitted in the same run. Transmit the K UM data first, then the A-OTP after the K UM data is posted.

Force due.

Force due the UP.

Terminated. UP due, but no ongoing payments due.

Input an A-OTP. If a SD is on the record, to avoid the SSR computing an OPU equal to the A-OTP, record the A-OTP for months prior to the SD on the record. If no SD is on the record, the SSR will compute an OPU equal to the A-OTP in the next non-pay computation run after the A-OTP input. The incorrect overpayment will require a Z TAC to resolve the OPU.

Terminated. UP due for prior period and ongoing payments due.

Establish SD record and input correct UM type K to allow the system to compute an UP from the SD forward. Subsequently, input an A-OTP for the UP prior to the SD and post to current record.

In all cases, input CG code “LIVE, RMOR, CASE.”

C. Reminders

  1. Suppress systems generated notices.

  2. Make appropriate due process input if the ongoing payment will be reduced or suspended.

  3. If inputting data via 1719b, include SOBD if entries to the UM, EN, or PS field will be retroactive more than six months

  4. Input the FI field if changing the UM field for January 1974.

  5. Update all type K income already posted with any changes. This action will most often be needed after a redetermination and/or a title II cost-of-living adjustment.

  6. 01210.523 Loss of Eligibility for BCI Protection

As explained in SI 01210.300-.400, a converted blind recipient who was entitled to have countable income determined under the State plan can lose that right in two ways:

  1. By not being a continuous resident of the State of conversion (SI 01201.400); (BCI protection ends at the end of the computation period in which residency is lost) or

  2. By being ineligible* for a period in excess of six consecutive months (SI 01210.300).

    * For periods prior to October 1, 1983, “ineligible” in this context means ineligible for any payment, either Federal or federally administered state supplement. For periods beginning October 1, 1983, “ineligible” means ineligible for a Federal payment. Thus, a blind recipient who is eligible for only a state supplement will lose BCI protection in the seventh month of eligibility for state supplementation only, except for “protected” recipients SI 01210.300.A.4.

It is important to identify loss of BCI protection in processing Livermore cases since it may limit the period for which a Livermore computation is needed. Obtain a full history query of the CMPH segment for the current SSR as well as all prior SSRs to determine whether a loss of BCI protection has occurred.

  

Examples:

Ms. Avoirdupois is a blind recipient converted in California, who met the criteria for BCI protection. She was continuously eligible for SSI from January 1974 through February 2014. Beginning March 2014, she had excess resources and continued to have excess resources through November 2014. Her benefits were reinstated effective December 2014. Ms. Avoirdupois lost her BCI protection because she was ineligible for more than six consecutive months. For purposes of applying the Livermore decision, the State plan can be used to determine her countable income through February 2014, but not thereafter.

Mr. Bracket is a blind recipient converted in California who met the criteria for BCI protection. He received State Disability Benefits (SDI) that resulted in a loss of federal eligibility beginning June 2016 through December 2016; he was eligible only for a state supplement payment for those months. He lost BCI protection effective December 2016, the seventh month in which he was eligible only for a state supplement.

Mr. Caridad is a blind recipient converted in California who met the criteria for BCI protection. He continuously resided in California until December 15, 2016 when he moved to Montana with the intention to reside in Montana permanently. Mr. Caridad lost his BCI protection beginning January 2017.