The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing a new matching program in collaboration with the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). This program will allow the SSA to use quarterly wage and unemployment insurance information from the National Directory of New Hires to help determine if individuals qualify for Extra Help, a benefit for low-income individuals under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. The agreement ensures that SSA can determine eligibility, reassess current beneficiaries' eligibility, and manage the Extra Help program effectively. The public has until May 12, 2025, to submit comments on this proposed program, which will start on May 27, 2025, and will remain in effect for 18 months.
Simple Explanation
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is teaming up with the Office of Child Support Services to share information so they can check if people need extra help paying for medicine. They will use job and unemployment data to make sure only the right people get the help they need.