• Individuals who are new to the Division will be required to both meet functional criteria and have Medicaid eligibility before they can begin receiving any services from the Division. 
  
• Individuals already receiving Division-funded services who are not already Medicaid eligible will have to become Medicaid eligible before receiving any new services and will have 60 days (until March 23, 2013) to become Medicaid eligible in order to ensure continuation of current services.
   
  • In some cases, the Division will extend this 60 day requirement, where the individual is working to obtain Medicaid eligibility but experiencing delays from DDD or the State or County Medicaid offices.
     
  • The Division is already working to identify individuals who are receiving services but are not currently Medicaid eligible and work with them to obtain Medicaid eligibility.  There are different ways to initiate the Medicaid eligibility process, depending on the type of services being received, as well as other factors.  Click here for additional information about the different ways to become Medicaid eligible, depending on an individual s needs and current services.
    
    This important reform is necessary to ensure that the State can maximize the receipt of federal revenue and preserve and enhance community-based supports for individuals with developmental disabilities system-wide.

The Division has developed - and will be continually updating – a “Medicaid Eligibility and DDD” section on the website where fact sheets and other useful resources related to this issue will be shared with stakeholders.  The Division has also established a dedicated phone line (609-631-6505) and email Help Desk account (DDD.MediElighelpdesk@dhs.state.nj.us) to receive communications with individuals, families, and providers related to issues with Medicaid eligibility. 

The Division is developing a statewide database of individuals currently receiving services who are not Medicaid eligible, so we can track individual’s progress toward becoming Medicaid eligible, as well as any issues as they arise. 

The Division has begun sending letters to individuals who may be impacted by this regulatory change, along with informational materials to assist them in initiating the process.   Individuals who are in residential services and in day programs are the first groups who will be getting letters.   Copies of these letters will also be available to providers, along with a list of anyone the Division has identified as receiving residential or day program services from the provider who is not currently Medicaid eligible.  This will enable the providers to assist individuals and their families in navigating the Medicaid eligibility process as well.

This is the process is for individuals applying for Medicaid who are expected to be enrolled on the Community Care Waiver:

• Contact their DDD case manager to ensure that their file has: (1) an updated Self-Care Assessment Tool (SCAT), (2) an ICF/MR Certification/Level of Care Form, (3) Freedom of Choice form, and (4) Admission to Waiver Services form.  
• Once those forms are updated, the Medicaid Only Application needs to be filled out and a physician will need to complete the supporting medical form. 
• Once that Application and medical form is filled out, they should be mailed, along with all supporting documentation, to: Division of Developmental Disabilities, Central Office, P.O. Box 726, Trenton, NJ 08625-0726, Attention: Medicaid Eligibility Project.  

              -or-

              This is the process is for individuals applying for Medicaid who are    expected to eventually be enrolled on the Supports Program:

• Contact their County Welfare Agency (CWA)/Board of Social Services (BSS) to schedule an appointment to apply for Medicaid. 
• On the day of the appointment, bring the required documents listed on the document: DDD Medicaid Eligibility for the Supports Program and Applying for Medicaid.
• In order to ensure continuation of your services while you are completing the Medicaid eligibility process, it is essential that the Division has a record of your progress.   Please contact us via email at DDD.MediElighelpdesk@dhs.state.nj.us no later than March 1, 2013 to let us know where you are in the eligibility process (i.e. whether you have a scheduled appointment with your CWA/BSDS, the date, etc).

If you have already applied and been determined ineligible for Medicaid within the last six months, please send a copy of your ineligibility determination letter to the Division’s Central Office, at: Division of Developmental Disabilities, Central Office, P.O. Box 726, Trenton, NJ 08625-0726, Attention: Medicaid Eligibility Project.

Information About SSA Award Letter for New Jersey Residents
“My Social Security account”

 My Social Security is a very important service offering that affects workers of every age since many currently are working or already are receiving Social Security (and/or Supplemental Security Income) benefits. 

For those already receiving (SSI or SSDI monthly benefits), you may access your benefit information online and change your address and direct deposit, all without calling or visiting a Social Security office.  (This is especially important for individuals who must provide proof of your  income when applying for Medicaid, Housing, nutrition (SNAP) or energy (LI HEAP) assistance programs because you’re able to print your own Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefit Award Letters which means no more waiting for the mail!)

People age 18 and older can sign up for an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Once there, they must be able to provide information about themselves and answers to questions that only they are likely to know.  After completing the secure verification process, people can create a My Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access their information.
How to Create an Online Account 
What You Can Do Online
Verification Flyer

SSI MONTHLY WAGE REPORTING

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for people who are disabled, blind or aged. The amount an eligible person can receive is based on his or her income. You can help us make timely and accurate payments to people who get SSI and work by participating in our monthly wage reporting.

Wages continue to be a major source of payment error in the SSI program.  Primarily, these deficiencies are related to obtaining accurate monthly wage information on a timely basis.  Social Security Administration is committed to simplify and streamline the monthly wage reporting process in an effort to ensure the beneficiary receives the correct benefit amount each month and to avoid unnecessary underpayments and overpayments.

The attached information provides you and your clients with the resources to accurately and timely report your monthly gross wages to the Social Security Administration.
SSI Telephone Wage Reporting
Wage Reporting Participant Training Package FY 2013