MSA HOUSING ASSISTANCE
ISSUE DATE: 07/2021
MFIP, DWP, SNAP, GA, GRH:
No provisions.
MSA:
MSA Housing Assistance is a recurring special need payment for clients whose housing costs exceed 40% of the unit’s gross income. The amount of the MSA Housing Assistance allowance is $397. This allowance amount is equal to half of the individual SSI federal benefit rate as of July 1st each year. See 0029.06.03 (Supplemental Security Income Program). If the client is eligible for MSA Housing Assistance the “living alone” assistance standard is always applied, regardless of living situation. 0020.21 (MSA Assistance Standards)
To be eligible for MSA Housing Assistance, an applicant must meet ALL the following requirements:
● | Meet a basis of eligibility for MSA. See 0013.09 (MSA Bases of Eligibility). |
● | Be under the age of 65. A client under the age of 65 who is receiving MSA Housing Assistance and turns age 65 can continue to receive the allowance until subsidized housing becomes available. |
● | Have total shelter costs that exceed 40% of the unit’s gross income before application of this allowance. See SHELTER COSTS in 0002.61 (Glossary: Self...). Use actual utility expenses whenever possible. |
AND | |
● | Meet 1 of these conditions: |
- | Relocating to the community from an institution, intensive residential mental health treatment program, or GRH setting. See INSTITUTION in 0002.33 (Glossary: Independent...). |
OR | |
- | Eligible for MA personal care assistance (PCA) services. |
OR | |
- | A recipient of MA waiver services living in his or her own home or rented or leased apartment. |
NOTE: A client in an institution may already be eligible for MSA, but would not be eligible to receive the MSA Housing Assistance allowance until after the move from the institution. A client in an institution and not eligible for MSA may become eligible upon discharge. |
An MSA client who receives rental assistance or lives in subsidized housing is not eligible for MSA Housing Assistance.![]()
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PREVIOUS REVISIONS
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 10/2020 | in MSA in the 2nd paragraph in the 1st bullet deletes and adds language for clarity and adds an appropriate cross-reference. In the 3rd bullet adds to use actual utility expenses whenever possible when determining eligibility for MSA Housing Assistance. |
| 07/2020 | in MSA updates the MSA Housing Assistance allowance. Adds the MSA Housing Assistance allowance is half of the individual SSI federal benefit rate and deletes "the maximum single person SNAP allotment". It also in the 4th bullet adds "GRH setting". |
| 03/2019 | in MSA adds a new last paragraph that an MSA client who receives rental assistance or lives in subsidized housing is not eligible for MSA Housing Assistance. |
| 01/2019 | in MSA in the 2nd paragraph deletes the 4th bullet that MSA Housing Assistance applicants must apply for a federal or state rental assistance voucher, if eligible. |
| 07/2018 | in MSA decreases the MSA Housing Assistance allowance to $192. |
| 08/2017 | in MSA in the 2nd paragraph deletes the condition to have the ability to hire, fire, supervise and manage the individuals providing services. |
| 07/2015 | in MSA updates the the MSA Housing Assistance allowance to $194. |
| 04/2015 | in MSA 2nd paragraph adds "if eligible" to requirement to apply for federal/state rental assistance/voucher. Adds if client has a factor that makes them ineligible for this, they are not required to apply and they may be eligible for MSA Housing Asst. |
| 01/2015 | in MSA adds living alone assistance standard information. |
| 12/2014 | Removed WB. This program was suspended 12/1/14. |
| 06/2014 | in MSA in the 1st paragraph updates the MSA Housing Assistance allowance to $189. |
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