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Staff Tools | GA program Manual | A. Program Intent
and Overview
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DHS home | SPD
Staff Tools | GA program Manual | A. Program Intent
and Overview
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The intent of the General Assistance (GA) program is to provide OSIPM Presumptive Medicaid individuals or married couples with severe disabilities and no dependent children, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are waiting to be awarded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits with the following:
The GA program serves a capped caseload of 200 OSIPM Presumptive Medicaid individuals. The program provides individuals with housing assistance, utility assistance, and cash assistance. These payments are funded with General Fund dollars, and may be recouped when individuals are awarded SSI benefits.
To be eligible for GA, individuals are required to complete, sign, and submit an application for SSI and an Interim Assistance Authorization (IAA) (SDS 7814A) to SSA. The SSI application and the IAA agreement must be received by SSA to be eligible to receive GA benefits. The IAA is an agreement between the individual, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the department, which allows the department to be reimbursed for GA payments made to the individual when the individual is awarded SSI benefits. Payments are recouped from the individual’s initial SSI lump-sum payment.
To qualify for GA, individuals and couples must be receiving OSIPM Presumptive Medicaid medical benefits. GA individuals and couples must also be homeless or at risk of losing their housing within 90 days. GA is only provided to childless individuals or married couples between the ages of 18 and 64 (OAR 461-135-0700).
If a GA client is denied SSI, they are required to appeal that decision. GA benefits may continue until the individual is denied at the Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level. The Department has Disability Benefits Liaison (DBL) staff to assist clients with applications and appeals for Social Security benefits.
