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Disabled TANF Recipients

As TANF caseloads decreased over the last few years, states and counties have begun to notice that many remaining recipients need help finding an alternative means of support due to a physical or mental disability that prevents them from working. This was the case for the Adams County, Colorado TANF program. In an attempt to address the needs of these recipients, county TANF officials created a partnership with the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to improve services for TANF recipients seeking benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The Adams County/SSA partnership provides a successful example of one strategy designed to help this population that may be useful to other states.

The partnership began with the Adams County Board of Commissioners drafting a letter to the Regional Director of the Social Security Administration requesting a discussion on methods for improving coordination between SSA and TANF officials.

Prior to the partnership, TANF officials noticed that SSI claims were being denied initially at a high rate, the appeals process took years in many cases and TANF caseworkers were largely unfamiliar with the SSI application process. As a result, officials from both programs have developed strategies for improving access to services and tracking the application processing time for TANF/SSI clients. The outcome of these efforts has been very positive. For example, the SSI approval rate has increased to over 45 percent (up from 35 percent prior to partnership) and the time frame for decisions has dropped to an average of four months.

Specific goals established at the outset of this partnership include:

• identifying key individuals within both agencies for involvement in this partnership;
• educating all parties on the needs, goals and requirements of each partner;
• improving the SSI application process;
• establishing an information-sharing protocol;
• monitoring claims on a monthly basis;
• reviewing the status of a client's application; and
• troubleshooting new issues on a regular basis.

Additional accomplishments achieved by the agencies include:

• A Social Security Liaison was designated to serve as a key point of contact for case managers.
• Trainings were conducted by both the SSA and Adams County to educate both sides of the partnership on the procedure and protocol of the other agency.
• A system was developed where claims could be initiated directly with the case manager and SSA Liaison.
• Case managers were instructed on how to complete all SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS) forms and shown how to access forms online.
• Both agencies participated in monthly meetings to discuss claims, problems, and the need for additional improvements.
• A relationship began between DDS and the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) to allow for consultation and expedition of cases within these agencies.

For more information about the Adams County/SSA partnership or disabled parents on TANF, contact Andrea Wilkins at andrea.wilkins@ncsl.org.

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