* Understanding and Eligibility for SSI and Medicaid
* New Medicaid Fact Sheet
* Financial Support Services
* Free Resources to Help Family Members Plan for Their Loved
One’s Future
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Understanding SSI and Medicaid: becoming eligible and maintaining eligibility (archived webinar)
Medicaid Eligibility for DDD Services
To be “Medicaid eligible” means that an individual has applied for and been enrolled in Medicaid and continues to meet the income and financial resources criteria for Medicaid. Every New Jersey resident who qualifies for and receives federal SSI (Supplemental Security Income) automatically receives New Jersey Medicaid. Therefore, it is highly recommended and strongly encouraged that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities immediately apply for SSI when they turn 18.
To apply for SSI, contact the local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778). For help, contact DDD’s Medicaid Eligibility Help Desk: [email protected].
Disabled Adult Child (DAC)
The DAC flyer, which was developed several years ago by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), has just been revised, and it is posted on the Division's website.
The term "DAC" is an acronym for Disabled Adult Child, and the Social Security Administration has a very specific definition of a Disabled Adult Child (DAC), which is explained in the flyer. The newly revised DAC flyer contains important information for families and staff (including support coordinators) to keep in mind when individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The DAC flyer explains the process to be followed when a parent is planning to retire and collect Social Security, or if a parent becomes disabled, or a parent passes away.
Background information:
When individuals with IDD are approved to receive SSI, they receive Medicaid automatically, without a separate Medicaid application. However, upon a parent's retirement, disability, or death, the usual Social Security process is for the son/daughter with IDD to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), calculated on the parent's work record. In most cases, the SSDI benefit is higher than the SSI amount, so SSI stops. Because SSI and Medicaid began simultaneously, when SSI is scheduled to end, the Medicaid that began with SSI will end too (usually four months later). The DAC flyer describes the process to be utilized in these situations so that the individual with IDD will start to receive Medicaid from the County Board of Social Services without disrupting the Medicaid-managed care services they have been receiving. The process described in the DAC flyer requires the completion of a new application (which is called a Request for Information or RFI), and the DAC flyer describes that process. PLEASE NOTE: During the COVID pandemic, no one should receive a Medicaid termination notice. However, it is important to follow through without delay on the RFI process when that is applicable.
Beverly Roberts
Director, Mainstreaming Medical Care
The Arc of New Jersey
985 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
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New Medicaid Fact Sheet
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute proudly presents our newest factsheet: Types of Medicaid Eligibility in New Jersey. This fact sheet was developed in collaboration with The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Program. It will help families better understand the type of Medicaid their loved one is eligible for. The factsheet also explains what is covered under Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare and includes links to start the application process. Click either image below to view the factsheet.
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Financial Support Services
Able accounts
Click here to go to the Able Website
Additional ABLE account Resources
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute ABLE Act Go Bag (https://bit.ly/3fRMYCh)
New Jersey ABLE Account Information Page (Click Here)
Social Security and ABLE Accounts (https://bit.ly/3rsThS2)
ABLE Now (https://bit.ly/3AgaUbS)
How to Enroll (https://bit.ly/3rr596V)
ABLE Accounts for People with Disabilities (https://bit.ly/3tBxKJo)
Roadmap to Enrollment (https://www.ablenrc.org/getstarted/)
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Free Resources to Help Family Members Plan for Their Loved One’s Future
Future planning is creating a guide for a person with IDD to lead a good life as independently as possible. Planning for the future after a parent or caregiver is no longer able to provide support is important and possible for all families, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arc's CENTER FOR FUTURE Planning, CLICK HERE offers free resources to help self-advocates, families, professionals, and others tackle all aspects of future planning, including housing, finances, employment, support services, and more. As you start to think about what a plan might look like or how you can help others plan, we encourage you to explore our resources! Resources in Spanish |