Multiple Social Security Administration (SSA) policy updates, including rental and food calculations, which were designed to increase people’s access to federal benefits, took effect on Oct. 1.
From now on, the agency will no longer include food in in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations. Furthermore, the SSA has expanded its rental subsidy policy exception, along with other beneficial amendments.
“These changes will help more people access crucial SSI benefits,” SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley said in a Sept. 30 statement. “By simplifying and expanding our policies, we are making SSI smarter, removing barriers to accessing payments, and reducing the burden on the public and agency staff.”…