The following is an example scenario of an eligible couple, and how to code the case in FACS for the State Supplemental Payment (SSP).

IMS/FACS is programmed to issue one SSP on each A, B or D case. Each spouse is assigned his/her own case. According to policy 340:15-1-5(b) (1) (B), spouses should get the same amount in their SSP benefits. This means the income is split evenly (within $1) between the two cases.

James and Dolley Madison are applying for benefits. He is age 66. He receives $515 is RSDI. He also works part time earning a gross of $600 a month. Dolley is disabled and receives $330 from SSI.

They have a 2003 Volkswagen Golf GL with an average trade-in value of $1800. They have a joint bank account with a balance of $57.42. They rent their home.

Determine countable resources:

One vehicle can be exempt per household, if it is used for transportation of the client or a household member, so the VW Golf is exempt. The $57.42 in the bank account is under the SSP resource standard for a couple. Appendix C-1, Schedule VIII. D.1.

Calculate the couple’s countable income:

$600 (from employment) – $20 (general income disregard) = $580
Earned Income Formula: $580 – $65 = $515/2 = $257.50
$257.50 + $515 (James’s RSDI) + $330 (Dolley’s SSI) = $1102.50 rounded to $1103

In this example, the couple’s countable income is less than the Eligible Couple Standard for SSP. Appendix C-1, Schedule VIII. A.

Split the couple’s countable income in half:

$1103/2 = $551.50

Since the split is not a whole amount, one case will show $552 and the other case will show $551. It doesn’t matter which amount is on which case. For this example, James’s case will have $552 and Dolley’s will have $551.

FACS will use half the Eligible Couple standard to calculate the SSP benefit. The Appendix C-1, Schedule VIII.A shows in parenthesis the amount for each case.

In this example:
James: $593 (half the standard) – $552 (income on the case) = $41
Dolley: $592 (half the standard) – $551 (income on the case) = $41

Determining how much income should show on each case (Diverting Income):

James has countable income: $258 (countable earned) + $515 (RSDI) = $773. $773 – $552 (the amount of income that needs to show on the case) = $221 will need to be diverted from James’s case and added to Dolley’s case

Dolley has countable income of $330. $330 + $221 (the amount diverted from James) = $551.

The coding on the case for James Madison is shown here.

Case Information Tab:

Since the spouse, Dolley, won’t be added to this case, FACS will want to know where she is. Her case will be put in the Companion Case block as “Financial Assistance Companion”.

Household Tab:

Make sure to code marital status as “Married-Living with Spouse”. Add to the SSP and Medical benefits.

Income Tab:

Enter the gross earned income. $322 is put in the Non-TANF Work Exp: [$257 (countable earned income with the cents dropped) + $65]. $20 in the general income deduction block.

Diverted Income: $221 (The amount that was subtracted from James’s income is added to this case to bring the income showing on this case down to $552.)

RSDI: $515

Enter SSN Claim Number

Resource Tab:

Best practice is to list all the resources on both cases. If one spouse were to die, then all resources become assets of remaining spouse.

The coding on the case for Dolley Madison is shown here.

Case Information Tab:

Since the spouse, James, won’t be added to this case, FACS will want to know where he is. His case will be put in the Companion Case block as “Financial Assistance Companion”.

Household Tab:

Make sure to code marital status as “Married-Living with Spouse”. Add to the SSP and Medical benefits

Income Tab:

SSI: $330
Other 1: $221, Indicator: Income Received From Other HH Member (When this code is used, FACS will count this income for ABD-related programs but not for SNAP.)

Resource tab:

List all resources for the couple on both cases.