B How to Calculate the Special Income Disregard for Pickle

 

 

 

Revised 03/01/2022

 

Policy

The Pickle disregard excludes Title II cost of living adjustment (COLA) increases from the date the person lost their eligibility for SSI-Cash or out-of-state State Supplemental Payment (SSP) benefits. 

To get the Pickle disregard, the customer must:

·        Currently receive Social Security Title II benefits;

·        Have received SSI-Cash or out-of-state State Supplemental Payment (SSP) benefits in the past;

·        Have received SSI-Cash or SSP benefits and received or were entitled to receive Social Security Title II for the same month in at least one month since April 1977; and 

·        Have lost SSI-Cash or SSP benefits due to a COLA increase.

NOTE    The Pickle disregard is only given for the 100% FBR net income test.  It is not allowed when determining eligibility using the 100% FPL income standard.

Definitions

 

Term

Definition

Pickle

People who are eligible under the Pickle Amendment receive Title II Social Security payments.  These individuals previously received both SSI-Cash and Title II benefits at the same time and lost their SSI-Cash. 

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

An increase intended to ensure that Social Security benefits are adjusted to account for inflation. The COLA amount, if any, is determined annually.

 

Proof

One or more of the following may be used for proof of Social Security benefits and that a person received both Social Security and SSI-Cash or SSP:

·        Social Security records and data matches;

·        Award letters;

·        AHCCCS records showing SSI-Cash eligibility.

 

Legal Authorities

This requirement applies to the following programs:

Program

Legal Authorities

SSI-MAO (Pickle)

20 USC 1383c(d)

42 CFR 435.135

AAC R9-22-1505(A)(5)

AAC-R9-1505(B)(2)(c)