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OUR COLUMBUS SOCIAL SECURITY ATTORNEY EXPLAINS ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
If you are hurt and unable to work, there are several different programs that can help you pay your medical bills and cost of living expenses while you recover. If the injury is severe enough to prevent you from returning to your job for at least a year, you may apply for monthly benefits from the federal government through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Ohio residents may also be eligible for additional monthly payments through the Residential State Supplement (RSS) Program if they live in an Adult Care Facility. This state assistance program pays benefits in addition to Social Security specifically to help with the cost of your rent.
Living with a disabling injury is complicated. Sometimes, Social Security disability benefits are not enough to pay for the care you need. In that case, Ohio’s RSS benefits may be able to help you. The legal team at Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC has been helping Ohioans since the 1920s. If you have questions about this program or anything else related to your injury or disability, call a Columbus Social Security attorney from our law firm today.
What is the Ohio Residential State Supplement Program??
Residential State Supplementation in Ohio is an optional program that is meant to increase your Social Security disability benefits if you live in an Adult Care Facility. RSS will help you pay the expense of your accommodations if you have an injury or condition that prevents you from working but is not serious enough to require around-the-clock care and supervision. These benefits can help you avoid entering a nursing home or other medical facility. If your injury or disability is severe enough that you need help with some tasks, but not everything, RSS can help you maintain a degree of freedom.
Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may only receive RSS benefits if you live in an eligible Adult Care Facility. Your RSS payments will cover the monthly cost or rent for your care facility. If you still live in your own home, you cannot receive benefits. As of January 2016, the RSS program will pay up to $1,100 in benefits each month.
However, if you are enrolled in the RSS program, your care facility must accept this state compensation as payment in full, even if their regular rate is higher. This means that your accommodations, supervision and personal care will all be paid for by your RSS benefit. Your care facility may charge you other fees but only according to your resident agreement.
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Do I Qualify for RSS Benefits in Ohio?
Ohio’s RSS program can help you if you are facing a long recovery after a disabling injury. However, since these benefits specifically pay for housing at a healthcare facility, the qualification standards for the program are stricter even than those for SSDI and SSI. In order to qualify for RSS benefits in Ohio, you must meet all of these requirements:
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You must be 18 or older.
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You must already have Medicaid. Unlike some states, in Ohio you must apply for Medicaid separately from your application for Social Security disability benefits. However, there are several different programs you may choose from, each with its own requirements.
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Before applying, you must already receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income.
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You must be planning for your discharge from a nursing home or meet the requirements for Protective Level of Care. This means that you do not need 24-hour support, such as you would receive in a nursing home. However, you do need assistance with some daily activities, such as bathing or grooming.
If you meet all of these criteria, you may be eligible for RSS benefits. You may apply yourself or appoint a friend or family member to manage the application and benefits for you. Once enrolled, your benefits will continue as long as you remain in your Adult Care Facility. If your condition improves, allowing you to return to a private residence, your benefits will end. The same is true if your condition worsens, such as if you need round-the-clock care in a nursing home.
Questions about the Ohio RSS Program? Contact a Columbus Social Security Attorney Today
If you believe you may qualify for Social Security disability or Ohio’s RSS benefits program after a work injury or any accident, call us today. These programs are complicated, but an attorney from our Social Security disability law firm can help. We serve residents throughout central Ohio, including Columbus, Portsmouth, Zanesville, Shadyside and Newark. Contact us online or call one of our offices today to schedule a free consultation with an Ohio disability lawyer.