Retroactive Social Security Benefits for EAEDC

A retroactive Social Security benefit is a payment made to a client for the period of time from the application date of said benefit to the approval date. The retroactive Social Security payment received is considered available unearned income to determine the needs of all members of the assistance unit until such time as the funds are no longer available to the assistance unit. Retroactive Social Security income is unavailable to the assistance unit when the income has been used as an expenditure for the assistance unit as provided in 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4) or 704.240(F)(2) and (3). Verification of the retroactive Social Security benefit is by: (A) a copy of the benefit or award letter; (F) Situations Resulting in Recalculation. The period of ineligibility cannot be altered or recalculated for any member of the ineligible assistance unit, except in the situations stated below. Recalculation can only be retroactive to the month in which the event that caused the recalculation occurred. The ineligibility period may only be eliminated or shortened for the remaining months when: (1) The Standard ofNeed for TAFDC or the standard of assistance for EAEDC is increased or changed for the ineligible assistance unit in accordance with 106 CMR 704.410 for TAFDC and 704.440 for EAEDC; (2) The lump sum income was used to pay for day-to-day living expenses and obligations in accordance with 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4), Verification shall be in accordance with 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4); (3) As a direct result of a natural disaster, the ineligible assistance unit was required to spend all or a portion of the lump sum income on day-to-day living expenses as defined in 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4), and/or shelter, fuel, utilities, food and/or clothing costs above those amounts paid by the ineligible assistance unit for such costs the month immediately preceding the month the disaster occurred; provided, however, that the additional costs are limited to the actual costs or $2500, whichever is less. Verification of the natural disaster is a copy of a written report from the local fire or police department or Red Cross; (4) The ineligible assistance unit can no longer access the lump sum income because of a natural disaster and cannot pay for the day-to-day living expenses as defined in 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4) and/or shelter, fuel, utilities, food and/or clothing costs equal to or less than those paid by the ineligible assistance unit for the month immediately preceding the month the disaster occurred. Verification of the natural disaster shall be by a copy of a written report from the local fire or police department or Red Cross. Verification of the day-to-day living expenses shall be in accordance with 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4); (5) The ineligible assistance unit was required to spend the lump sum income because of an abusive relationship on day-to-day living expenses as defined in 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4), and/or shelter, fuel, utilities, food and/or clothing; or the assistance unit can no longer access the lump sum income and cannot pay for day-to-day living expenses as defined in 106 CMR 704.240(B)(4), and/or shelter, fuel, utilities, food and/or clothing; Verification of an abusive relationship shall be by a copy of court, medical, criminal, child protective services, battered victims' services, or law enforcement records that indicate the parent or absent parent might inflict physical or emotional harm on the child or relative if the ineligible assistance unit tried to access the lump sum income; or (6) The lump sum income was used to pay for food, not to exceed the maximum SNAP allotment for a family of that size, provided the assistance unit is not otherwise eligible for SNAP. (G) Ineligibility for TAFDC. Any member of the filing unit who is ineligible for EAEDC due to lump sum income is concurrently ineligible for TAFDC. (H) Ineligibility for EAEDC. Any member of the filing unit who is ineligible for TAFDC due to lump sum income is concurrently ineligible for EAEDC.