What is Optional State Supplementation?

Optional State Supplementation (OSS) is a financial assistance program that provides monthly payments to help low-income elderly or disabled individuals pay for care in alternative living arrangements such as assisted living facilities, adult family care homes, or mental health residential treatment facilities.

OSS is administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and supplements federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or provides assistance to individuals who would be eligible for SSI except for their income.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for OSS in Florida, you must meet several requirements:

Age and Disability

You must be either:

• 65 years of age or older, or
• Determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Division of Disability Determinations

Living Arrangement

You must reside in one of the following:

• Assisted Living Facility (ALF) licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration
• Adult Family Care Home (AFCH) licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration
• Mental Health Residential Treatment Facility (MHRTF) licensed by the Department of Children and Families

Residency and Citizenship

• You must be a Florida resident
• You must be a U.S. citizen or have qualified immigration status

Income and Resources

Your income and resources must be within certain limits:

• Your countable income must be less than the OSS standard for your living arrangement
• Your countable resources must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple

Benefit Amounts

OSS payment amounts depend on your living arrangement and income. The program provides a standard payment amount based on the type of facility, minus your countable income.

The actual payment you receive is calculated by subtracting your countable income from the standard payment amount for your living arrangement. You are also allowed to keep a personal needs allowance of at least $54 per month for personal expenses.

Personal Needs Allowance

The personal needs allowance is the amount of money that OSS recipients are allowed to keep for their personal expenses, such as clothing, toiletries, and other items not provided by the facility. In Florida, the personal needs allowance is at least $54 per month.

Required Documentation

When applying for OSS, you may need to provide the following documents:

Identity and Citizenship

• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Driver's license or state ID
• Immigration documents (if applicable)

Residency

• Proof of Florida residency
• Documentation of your current living arrangement (facility contract or admission agreement)

Income and Resources

• Social Security award letters
• Pension statements
• Bank statements
• Property deeds
• Life insurance policies
• Vehicle registration

Medical

• Medical records documenting disability (if under age 65)
• Proof of disability determination from Social Security Administration (if applicable)

How to Apply

You can apply for OSS in Florida through several methods:

After You Apply

After submitting your application, the following steps will occur:

1. Interview: You will be required to complete an interview, which can be done by phone or in person.
2. Verification: DCF will verify the information provided in your application.
3. Decision: You will receive a notice of eligibility determination, typically within 30 days of your application date.
4. Payment: If approved, your OSS benefits will be issued either directly to you or to your facility, depending on your situation.

OSS and Other Benefits

OSS and Medicaid

Most OSS recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid, which can help cover medical expenses. If you receive OSS, you will typically be enrolled in Medicaid automatically.

OSS and SNAP

OSS recipients who live in certain group living arrangements may be eligible for SNAP (food assistance) benefits. However, residents of some facilities may not be eligible if the facility provides the majority of their meals.