Maine Revised Statutes Title 22. Health and Welfare § 3271. Program

1. A program of regular monthly state supplemental income for blind, disabled and elderly people shall be provided for residents of the State of Maine. Benefits under the state supplemental income program shall be based on need and provided in supplementation of benefits provided by the United States Government to aged, blind and disabled individuals pursuant to Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended.  1 Benefits shall be provided to any person who, on account of blindness, disability or age, qualifies for supplemental security income provided pursuant to Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended, and may, based on need, be provided to individuals who would, but for their income, be eligible for such supplemental security income benefits.

2. The department, to the extent allowed by Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, shall establish standard levels of state supplemental income benefits for blind, disabled and elderly people. The benefits must be provided under a modified flat benefit system, and may vary by marital status, and by living arrangements to the extent allowed by Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder. The benefits may not be based on individual budgeted need and may not vary by category or geographical area. Benefits for a couple, except as provided under section 3273, subsection 1, paragraph B, must be equal to the sum of the amount of benefit for an individual and 50% of the benefit for an individual.

3. The department may also require, as a condition of eligibility, that any applicant for benefits or beneficiary under this Part must apply for any income supplementation that may be available under any other federal or state programs operated pursuant to the provisions of the Social Security Act, if it reasonably appears that such applicant or beneficiary is likely to be eligible for income supplementation under such other programs.