CDSS Programs Interim Assistance Reimbursement

Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR)

The Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) program allows counties to recover General Relief and other types of cash assistance paid out to individuals (including direct cash payments and payments made to vendors providing services to individuals) for the purpose of purchasing essential items while they await decisions on their applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Cash Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

Essential items include food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene/grooming items, transportation to obtain basic needs and emergency medical needs that are not reimbursable under another federal program.

The county may recover interim cash aid paid to an claimant only when their application for SSI or CAPI has been granted. If SSI and CAPI is denied, the county cannot use the IAR program to recover any cash assistance paid to the claimant. Additionally, the county cannot use the IAR program to recover cash assistance that includes any federal funds.

Counties wishing to use the IAR program to recover cash assistance payments to SSI/CAPI applicants must have a valid IAR authorization form (SSP 14) on file. “Manual” counties must mail the completed SSP 14 to their local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office; “electronic” counties must submit the SSP 14 to SSA online through the eIAR system. As the SSP 14 is updated periodically, only the most current version of the form may be used. This form must be signed by both the claimant and the county. The SSP 14 has a life of 12 months, after which it is no longer valid. If 12 months have elapsed and the claimant is still receiving general assistance/general relief funds from the county, the applicant and the county must sign a new SSP 14. SSA regularly audits county IAR programs to ensure county compliance with authorization, apportionment and other requirements.

SSI: If a valid SSP 14 is on file and SSI is approved, SSA will issue SSI benefits, retroactive to the protected date of application. After the county receives the IAR payment through direct deposit, the county MUST prepare an apportionment notice (SSP 18) to the recipient within 10 working days from the date the county received the IAR payment. The SSP 18 must list the amount of retroactive SSI benefits requested from SSA.

CAPI: Eligibility for CAPI requires certain individuals to first apply for SSI and to be denied by SSA solely based on their immigration status. The county may then proceed to evaluate CAPI eligibility. If approved for CAPI, the claimant will be eligible for benefits retroactive to the protected application date. CAPI benefits are paid from state funds. If the county has a valid SOC 455 on file, the county will be permitted to retain qualifying county funds paid to the claimant from the first CAPI benefit payment. The county should indicate the apportionment of CAPI benefits by inclusion of appropriate language on the CAPI NOA (Form NA 693), which is mailed to the applicant.

A COUNTY MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECOVER INTERIM ASSISTANCE FROM THE IAR PROGRAM IF ALL THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:

  • There is a current IAR contract with CDSS;
  • A claimant’s application for SSI or CAPI was approved;
  • Interim assistance was provided by the county to the SSI or CAPI applicant (either directly or through a vendor) while awaiting a decision on the application;
  • The assistance provided did not include any federal funds;
  • A valid SSP 14 is filed (SSI) or a valid SOC 455 is filed (CAPI);
  • A valid SSP 18 (SSI) or NA 693 (CAPI) is sent to the claimant.

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