SAGA is a cash assistance program that typically serves adults who are:
- Either permanently or temporarily unable to work due to a documented medical condition, and
- Whose income and assets are below program limits
Individuals who applied for and are waiting to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration typically apply for SAGA while waiting for a decision. Those eligible for SAGA receive a small cash amount each month. Individuals cannot receive SAGA if they are eligible for any other state or federal cash assistance program.
Eligibility
To qualify for SAGA benefits, individuals must be considered unable to work by meeting one of the following medical, non-medical or transitional unemployability criteria:
Medical Unemployability:
Determined by the Department’s disability examiners to have a physical and/or mental impairment (or combination or impairments) that will prevent employment for six months or more. The medical impairment criteria are identical to those used in the SSI and Medicaid programs.
Non-medical Unemployability:
- Over age 65;
- Over age 55 and no work history in the previous 5 years;
- Full-time high school student over age 18 who is not residing in a TFA eligible household;
- Needed in the home to care for an incapacitated spouse or child;
- Needed in the home to care for a child under age 2;
- Granted but pending receipt of Social Security benefits;
- Is a VISTA volunteer;
- Under age 16 and emancipated by a court or legally married.
Transitional:
- Long-Term Transitional: Provides medical documentation verifying inability to work for six months or more. No work history required; however, all cases are referred to the Department’s disability examiners for a review of unemployability.
- Short-Term Transitional: Provides medical documentation of inability to work for a period of 2-6 months. Must have recent work history (earned at least $500 in each of 3 of the last 5 calendar quarters or was eligible to collect Unemployment Compensation during the previous six months) unless otherwise determined exempt from this requirement.
How to qualify
What are the requirements?
- Applicants and recipients must pursue all other potentially available income sources (including SSI and TFA).
- Applicants and recipients must sign a form authorizing the Social Security Administration to reimburse DSS for any SAGA benefits provided while an SSI application is pending.
What is the income limit?
- The income limit for the program is three times the current maximum SSI amount per eligible person.
- Adjusted income (gross minus certain exclusions and deductions) may not exceed the monthly benefit amount.
What is the asset limit?
- The asset limit is $500 for a single individual or $1,000 for a married couple.
- One vehicle is excluded if the total value, minus and amount owed, is under $4,500, or used to transport a household member with a disability.
- Home property is not counted.