Adoption Assistance - SSI

I wanted to let you know about a Policy Instruction announcement that was recently released by SSA. These policy changes, announced on 6/1/2010, can be found in the SSA POMS SI 00830.415, entitled, “Adoption Assistance.”

This transmittal includes a change in policy regarding how certain types of adoption assistance are counted as unearned income for the purposes of the SSI program.

Background

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act was signed into law in October 2008. The Act amends section 473 of the Social Security Act and emphasizes the promotion of permanent families for children and youth in foster care. This section was revised to include that effective 10/1/09 adoption assistance payments under Title IV-E for an “applicable child” are treated as unearned income and are subject to the $20 general income exclusion. This section was also revised to include that effective 10/1/09, Kinship Guardianship Assistance payments are not subject to the $20 general income exclusion and are counted dollar for dollar.

To read the Policy Instruction, click HERE.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com