Alcoholics and drug addicts receiving SSI payments, August 1977.

1.0 I 1.7 2.4 5.8 I.8 j 9.8 Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Receiving SSI Payments, August 1977” The supplemental security income program (SSI), which began operation January 1974, replaced the Federal grants to States for aid to the aged, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Alcoholics and drug addicts may receive SSI payments as disabled persons if they meet the definition of disability in the Social Security Act. Section 1614 of the Social Security Act states that a person is considered to be disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial galnful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. That impairment must either be expected to result in death or have lasted (or can be expected to last) continuously for at least one year. In addition, an individual who was considered permanently and totally disabled under the State assistance plan in effect for October 1972 and was receiving payment based on that disability for December 1973, and for at least 1 month before July 1973, may receive SSI payments as long as he continues to meet the disability standards of that State plan. Transfer status for recipients was authorized by the 1972 amendments to the Social Security Act. Before the SSI program was established, States exercised discretion in their definitions of permanent and total disability. As a result, some States had more inclusive definitions of disability than did others. To prevent hardships for persons eligible under State programs but not under SSI, the requirements of the new program were considered to be met if the individual !,emained continuously enrolled under SSI for that disability. If the disability were corrected and the recipient no longer received SSI payments, a subsequent return to the rolls would entail ‘an evaluation based upon the uniform SSI standards. Under SSI, special provisions are applicable to persons classified as alcoholics and drug addicts. A representative payee must be selected, and the SSI check is sent to this person. Treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction is also required if it is available. These provisions are effective only if the individual meets the definition of disability in the law and the alcoholism or drug addiction is a contributing factor to the disability. Persons who are aged 65 and over who are blind or disabled independently of the alcohol or drug addiction are not bound by these provisions.