Application Assistance Federal Disability Benefits

The bill creates a program to help persons with disabilities participating in the state aid to the needy disabled program navigate the application process for federal disability benefits, including supplemental security income and social security disability insurance. The program is provided by county departments of human or social services (county departments) and is administered by the state department of human services (state department).

Funding for the program is distributed to county departments pursuant to an allocation formula determined by state department rules, after receiving input from counties, county representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.

The bill includes the services that may be provided by county departments participating in the program. The services may include assistance with compiling and drafting supporting documentation for the application for federal disability benefits and in completing and submitting the application.

The state department shall evaluate the program pursuant to the time frame set forth in the bill to determine if the program is meeting the program goals described in the bill.

The bill creates the disability benefits application assistance fund (fund) and requires the state treasurer and controller to annually transfer to the fund money appropriated for the aid to the needy disabled programs that remains unencumbered and unexpended at the end of the fiscal year.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)