Information Gathering on Federal and State Benefits: Medicaid and Medicare January 2018 Introduction In addition to Social Security benefits, many beneficiaries rely on other federal and state benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), HUD housing subsidies, veteran’s benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Workers Compensation, or Unemployment Insurance. Social Security requires CWICs to provide individualized counseling on how paid employment affects any other benefit programs the beneficiary receives. CWICs must be knowledgeable about other state and federal benefit regulations and must maintain current information on other benefit programs to provide accurate, individualized advisement on how paid employment will affect these programs. CWICs must research federal and state benefit programs to gather information about exactly how these programs work in the states they serve. This includes knowing how to access specific policy, who to contact for information and referral, and where to get technical assistance from state personnel when questions arise. Having this information readily available for reference will help you provide thorough individualized counseling and make referrals for other benefit programs. This resource document provides a guide to the steps involved in information gathering for other federal benefits and outlines the most useful sources for finding state-specific information about Medicaid and Medicare. Steps for Information Gathering The process of information gathering entails a series of sequential steps: Ask questions about the benefit programs; Gather information by researching policies; Locate the state-specific websites, documents and other resources which contain information or policy manuals;
Information Gathering on Federal and State Benefits: Medicaid and Medicare January 2018 Introduction In addition to Social Security benefits, many beneficiaries rely on other federal and state benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), HUD housing subsidies, veteran’s benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Workers Compensation, or Unemployment Insurance. Social Security requires CWICs to provide individualized counseling on how paid employment affects any other benefit programs the beneficiary receives. CWICs must be knowledgeable about other state and federal benefit regulations and must maintain current information on other benefit programs to provide accurate, individualized advisement on how paid employment will affect these programs. CWICs must research federal and state benefit programs to gather information about exactly how these programs work in the states they serve. This includes knowing how to access policy, who to contact for information and referral, and where to get technical assistance from state personnel when questions arise. Having this information readily available for reference will help you provide thorough individualized counseling and make referrals for other benefit programs. This resource document provides a guide to the steps involved in information gathering for other federal benefits and outlines the most useful sources for finding state-specific information about Medicaid and Medicare. Steps for Information Gathering The process of information gathering entails a series of sequential steps: Ask specific questions about the benefit programs; Gather information by researching policies; Locate the state-specific websites, documents and other resources which contain information or policy manuals;