Policy                                                                        Issuance Number: MS 01-09

Medical Services Policy Manual                       Issuance Date: August 1, 2001

From: Ruth Whitney, Director                               Expiration Date: Until Superseded

Subj: SSI COLA Correction

The Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered that there was an error in computing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) beginning in 1999. It was a small error of one-tenth of one percent. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines the COLA increases each year based on the CPI. SSA has corrected this error and beginning in August the SSI Standard Payment Amount for an individual will increase to $531.00. The amount for a couple will stay the same. Due to the increase for an individual, the income limit for Long Term Care will increase to $1593.00; the living allowance for an ineligible spouse or child will decrease to $265.00; the one-third reduction for living in the household of another will increase to $354.00 for an individual; and in-kind support and maintenance for an individual will increase to $197.00.

[Appendix S] is being reissued to reflect these changes. Since this is a correction, when determining retroactive eligibility before August 1^st, but after January 1, 2001, these corrected figures should be used.

Inquiries to: Jack Tiner, 501-682-8259

Diana Teal, 501-682-1562

                    Carmen Brown, 501-682-8258

                   Cindy Gray, 501-682-8254