Section 29-6601. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

6601.1An individual shall be eligible for IDA if he or she is:

 

(a)A United States citizen; or

 

(b)An alien who meets the alien eligibility requirements for SSI under Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, approved August 22, 1996 (110 Stat. 2260; 8 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1646), as amended;

 

(c)A resident of the District of Columbia, as determined under § 503 of the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982, effective April 6, 1982 (D.C. Law 4-101; D.C. Official Code § 4-205.3);

 

(d)Financially in need, meets the following income and asset limits, and financial eligibility is verified:

 

(1)There is no gross income limit for the household. The household's net income is at least ten dollars ($10) less than that the TANF payment level for a family of the same size;

 

(2)No earned income or unearned income deductions are allowed, when calculating a household's countable income. Income is deducted dollar-for-dollar from the payment level to determine the household's financial eligibility and benefit amount;

 

(3)The income of a spouse who lives with the applicant and is not included in the IDA household is deemed using the following formula: gross income of non-IDA spouse minus TANF payment level for one (1) person equals net income;

 

(4)The one (1) person household asset limit is two thousand dollars ($2,000);

 

(5)The two (2) person household asset limit is three thousand dollars ($3,000); and

 

(6)All liquid and non-liquid resources are countable for the purpose of determining IDA eligibility, except those excluded for SSI under Title 16, Section 1613 of the Social Security Act;

 

(e)Ineligible for a category of cash assistance in which there is federal financial participation, except that an individual who has applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI may be eligible during the period that the SSDI or SSI application is being processed; and

 

(f)Determined by the Department of Human Services (Department) to meet the definition of disability.

 

6601.2For the purposes of this section, except as indicated, income means both earned and unearned income as defined for the SSI program in Title 16, Section 1612 of the Social Security Act. In addition, regular and presumptive SSI payments shall be counted and in-kind maintenance and support benefits shall be excluded when determining IDA eligibility.

 

6601.3An individual may not receive assistance unless he or she does the following:

 

(a)Applies to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for SSI benefits;

 

(b)Signs an Interim Assistance Reimbursement Authorization form;

 

(c)Provides a social security number or verification of application for a social security number; and

 

(d)Cooperates with the Disability Entitlement Advocacy Program, which includes:

 

(1)Providing materials needed to pursue the SSI application such as medical reports;

 

(2)Keeping appointments with medical providers;

 

(3)Keeping appointment with his or her disability advocate;

 

(4)Keeping appointments with SSA and its representatives; and

 

(5)Participating in treatment programs, as required.

 

6601.4Failure to cooperate with the Disability Entitlement Advocacy Program or the case manager may result in termination of IDA benefits, unless a good cause reason can be established for non-cooperation.

 

6601.5Good cause for non-cooperation with case management shall include circumstances that are beyond the recipient's control such as, but not limited to, the following:

 

(a)Personal illness;

 

(b)Illness of another household member that requires the presence or care of the recipient; and

 

(c)A household emergency such as a death in the family.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4948 (June 20, 2003).