El Nuevo Día, by Rut N. Tellado Domenech
Judge William Young, appointed to the Federal Court in San Juan, decided yesterday that it is unconstitutional to deny Puerto Rico residents access to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) programs, which covers prescription drugs.
The court held that to establish otherwise would violate the equal protection of the laws. The effectiveness of these programs could have an annual impact on the island of $2.5 billion.
The determination follows a lawsuit filed by nine citizens against the U.S. Departments of Health, Agriculture and Social Security. The court ordered the federal government to comply with "constitutional provisions" and make these programs available at the local level.
Below, we answer several questions about the Supplemental Security Income program, which is also known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What is ISS?
The Supplemental Security Income program is a Social Security Administration initiative that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have low incomes and limited resources. The agency itself reports on its website that SSI benefits are also paid to people over age 65 if they meet certain financial limits.
Who is eligible?
Any person who is blind, disabled, or age 65 or older with limited income or resources; is a citizen or national of the United States; resides in one of the 50 states, Washington DC, or the Northern Mariana Islands; is not absent from the country for a full calendar month or 30 or more consecutive days; is not confined in an institution (such as a hospital or prison) at government expense; applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible (e.g., pensions or Social Security benefits); applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible (e.g., pensions or Social Security benefits) is not confined in an institution (such as a hospital or prison) at government expense; applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible (e.g., pensions or Social Security benefits); files an application and meets other requirements.
It should be noted that the residency requirement does not include those living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but does include the Northern Mariana Islands, where all three jurisdictions are U.S. territories and not states. Instead, there are certain exceptions under which foreign nationals may qualify for SSI, including refugees admitted to the United States under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, who may qualify for SSI for a period of seven years.
What is the benefit?
The program provides cash to meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter for the above-mentioned populations. The average monthly SSI payment in the United States was $574.72 in March 2020, reported John Shallman, director of communications for the Social Security Administration's New York region, which covers Puerto Rico. While regular Social Security is funded by contributions made by workers, the money for SSI comes from federal taxes paid by taxpayers.
How many people receive this benefit?
"In March 2020, about 8 million people (in the United States) received monthly federal SSI payments," Shallman responded today in written remarks.
How to apply?
Those who reside in one of the 50 states, Washington DC or the Northern Mariana Islands and meet the other requirements can fill out the application online (more details at https://www.ssa.gov/espanol/beneficios/ssi/), as well as call 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.
So what is available for Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico, as well as the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, has access to the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) program. According to Benefits.gov, the program provides monthly cash payments for low-income elderly, blind and disabled individuals. These payments help with food, housing, clothing and other necessities of daily living. To qualify, a person must be over 64 years of age, disabled and over 17 years of age, or blind. The average benefit received on the island under this program is about $77 a month, according to economist José Alameda. For more information, according to Benefits.gov, you can call 212-264-2890.