The Golden State Pooled Trust
All disbursements are processed after the Beneficiary Advocate submits a disbursement request. The purpose of the disbursement request is to assist the Distribution Reviewer in determining whether the disbursement is allowable, and to document the disbursement in the event or an audit or review by Social Security or Medi-Cal.
In order for the Distribution Reviewer to authorize a disbursement, the Reviewer must be able to identify what the purchases are for.
If the reviewer cannot determine the nature of the purchase based upon the invoice or statement itself, the disbursement cannot be authorized. Backup documentation can be satisfied by;
Receipts (preferred).
Reviewer will contact the beneficiary advocate. At the discretion of the Reviewer may ask the Beneficiary Advocate for a
Verbal Declaration, or
Written Declaration.
It is the responsibility of the beneficiary and/or the Beneficiary Advocate to maintain documentation of any disbursements in the event of an audit by Social Security, Medi-Cal or other agencies. The Golden State Pooled Trust will to the best of its ability review Disbursement Requests in order to ensure that the distribution is allowable. Even so – the beneficiary and the Beneficiary Advocate should keep all receipts and backup information in the event that the beneficiary’s eligibility for benefits is later reviewed by Social Security, Medi-Cal or other agencie.
Beneficiaries on SSI have three categories of distributions that can be made without causing ineligibility.
Excluded Resources
Example – automobile, furniture, house
Food and Shelter
Example – rent, electricity, groceries, restaurant, water bill, or mortgage payment.
Services
Example – attendant care, housekeeping, auto repair, yard maintenance
Beneficiaries who receive Medi-Cal with no SSI have more liberal rules concerning food and shelter.