Dear Colleague,

I am pleased to share some good news with regard to the economic impact payments, which are also known as the stimulus payments. As you read the information below, please keep in mind that  anyone who receives SSI or Social Security benefits, including SSDI, and who is a dependent on someone else's tax return is not eligible for the economic impact payments. 

Families have contacted The Arc of New Jersey recently to ask if Medicaid will allow individuals' bank accounts to exceed $2,000 as a result of receiving the economic stimulus payment. This is the good news response from NJ Medicaid. It is not a problem if the individual's bank account exceeds $2,000 because of the stimulus payment!

"Stimulus payments are  not  included in countable income and resource calculations when determining eligibility for Medicaid. An individual has an additional 12 months to spend down these funds before they are counted as a resource."

Individuals who receive SSI or Social Security benefits, including SSDI ( and who are not a dependent on someone else's tax return ) will receive the economic stimulus payment automatically. The Social Security Administration made a decision previously that Social Security recipients would receive the stimulus payment automatically; however, the SSA had not decided how to handle these payments to SSI beneficiaries. We are delighted to announce that The Arc of the US led efforts to ensure that payments to SSI beneficiaries will be automatic and will not require filing additional paperwork!  Please note: Any SSI recipient with dependent children should still go to IRS.gov to provide information  Click here to see the full statement from SSA on the stimulus payments to SSI beneficiaries:
This is one of many emails that The Arc of New Jersey is distributing in an effort to help individuals with I/DD, their families, and staff to be safe and healthy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To see other emails that The Arc of New Jersey has distributed on this topic, please go to    https://www.arcnj.org/information/covid-19-updates-information.html.

Thank you.
Bev

Beverly Roberts
Director, Mainstreaming Medical Care
The Arc of New Jersey
985 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Direct line and fax: 732.246.2567
www.mainstreamingmedicalcare.org