SSI Payment Changes Passed

The House of Representatives gave final passage to legislation that will significantly change payment of back benefits in SSI cases. Any SSI back benefits totaling over three months of benefits at the full rate must now be paid in up to three installments at intervals of six months. Previously, this was required only if the back benefits were more than a year at the full SSI rate. This means that most claimants approved for back SSI benefits by an Administrative Law Judge will not be paid most of their back benefits until more than a year after the favorable decision.