The second item (p. lower right) notified SSI recipients that starting October, their monthly benefit will come in two payments: one from the federal government and one from the State, though their total benefit amount won't change.
The following is a Press Release of the State's OTDA explaining the change:
https://otda.ny.gov/news/2014/2014-09-26.aspMost Recipients to Begin Receiving Two Monthly Payments Instead of One
September 26, 2014 - The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today reminded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients that most will see a change in how they receive their monthly benefits beginning October 1, 2014. SSIprovides financial support to eligible aged, blind or disabled individuals to help meet their basic needs. This change in program administration will not impact the SSI benefit amount someone receives.
What is changing?
Beginning October 1, eligible New Yorkers will receive two benefit payments instead of one payment. One payment will come from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and one payment will come from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) SSI State Supplement Program (SSP). Recipients will continue to receive the same total amount each month and will continue to receive payments at the same time of the month and in the same way they currently do, either by direct deposit or check.
How were payments made in the past?
Prior to October 1, 2014, the U.S. Social Security Administration sent monthly SSI payments to recipients, which were comprised of both a federally-funded SSI benefit and a state-funded SSP benefit.
Why is the State making this change?
New York State will realize significant savings each year by having OTDA administer the SSP benefits directly instead of paying the U.S. Social Security Administration to administer this program on its behalf.
“OTDA is deeply appreciative of the collaboration with the Office of the State Comptroller, the Statewide Financial System, the State Treasury, and the Office of Information Technology Services in bringing this initiative to fruition,” said OTDA Commissioner Kristin M. Proud. “The State expects to save approximately $90 million annually by taking over the administration of the SSI State Supplement Program from the Federal Government.”
How were SSI recipients notified of the change?
In August, OTDA mailed letters to SSP recipients notifying them of the change. SSA also mailed a notification to SSI recipients in New York State which provided recipients with their new federal benefit amount.
For more details:
More information about this change may be found at www.otda.ny.gov/programs/ssp or by calling toll-free 1-855-488-0541 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Answers to frequently asked questions may be found athttp://otda.ny.gov/programs/ssp/transition.asp.
