Social Security Map Shows States Where Most People Have Been Removed

There were about 13,500 fewer people who received federal payments from the social security administration in March as compared to February, with Alaska and Montana appearing to see a relatively larger decline of recipients, in percentage terms, compared to other parts of the country, data from the Social Security Administration reveal.

According to the date, Alaska had a drop of 113 people receiving payments, about one percent less in March compared to the prior month and Montana, saw a drop of 99 people which came to about 0.62 percent less than in February. Places like Colorado, Minnesota and New Jersey saw a slight uptick or experienced no change in the month.

It was immediately unclear what was the reason behind the drop in recipients. Newsweek contacted the Social Security Administration for comment via email on Tuesday.

The number of recipient declines came across different categories. Those who are on disability and blind, made up 6.156 million claims in March compared to 6.171 million in February.

Meanwhile, for those who are at least 65 years old, there was a slight uptick to 2.328 million last month compared to February’s 2.323 million.

Children—which includes recipients under 18 years old—saw a drop by about 6,800 in March. This could be due to some in this group aging out and now being required to qualify for support as adults. This requires a redetermination process according to rules that apply to adults.

“These include nonmedical eligibility rules pertaining to income, resources, residency, citizenship, etc,” the SSA says. “These rules are different than the rules that were applied when you were a child. We call this review an age-18 redetermination.”

An estimated a 33 percent of children who turn 18 years old lose their Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to the agency.

The process of redetermination can also apply for other SSI recipients, according to the SSA.

“We review your non-medical eligibility factors (i.e., income, resources, and living arrangements) to determine whether you are still eligible for and receiving the correct SSI payment,” the agency says. “If you are married or you are a disabled child under age 18 living with your parent(s), we also review the income, resources, and living arrangements of your spouse or parent(s).”

The SSA says that eligibility checks tend to be done about every one to six years.

“When you report a change that affects eligibility or payment (for example, marriage), we may review your record for other factors of eligibility such as income, resources, and living arrangements,” the agency says.