(1) There is created in the Department of Human Services the State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program. The department shall provide aid under this section to families that are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families under ORS § 412.001 to 412.069 and that include a needy caretaker relative who is unable to maintain substantial gainful activity due to a disability or combination of disabilities that meet the criteria of section 216 of the Social Security Act.

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(2) The department shall assist families receiving aid under this section in qualifying for federal Supplemental Security Income and Social Security disability benefits, including obtaining necessary medical records and evaluations. The department shall maintain a list of lawyers admitted to the bar of any state and approved by the Social Security Administration and nonprofit legal services organizations that represent Oregon residents in administrative hearings before the Social Security Administration Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

(3) The department shall adopt rules for determining the amount of aid granted under this section that is not less than the amount of aid granted under ORS § 412.006 (1).

(4) Participation in the State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program shall be voluntary. The department shall provide information to potential participants in the State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program about the opportunities for employment while receiving Supplemental Security Income and about employment resources available to State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program participants. The information must be in a format accessible to the potential participant.

(5) Participants in the State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program must cooperate with the department in establishing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income including, but not limited to, signing an interim assistance reimbursement agreement. The department by rule may establish policies for monitoring and encouraging full engagement in the State Family Pre-SSI/SSDI program, including activities that promote family stability. The department shall offer participants the opportunity to participate in any suitable activity in the job opportunity and basic skills program under ORS § 412.009. [2007 c.861 § 8; 2009 c.11 § 54; 2011 c.46 § 1; 2011 c.604 3,4; 2019 c.602 § 4]

[1961 c.633 § 1; repealed by 2005 c.381 § 30]