MTR. OF RODRIGUEZ v. Perales

OPINION OF THE COURT

Titone, J.

Applicants for Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) sometimes experience delays of several months or even years before their entitlement to benefits is determined. To ease the severe financial hardships that these delays may occasion, the local public assistance agencies are authorized to furnish eligible applicants with interim assistance and to recoup the outlay from the recipient’s "first” or "initial” SSI payment. The issue in this appeal is whether the locality’s right to recoupment may be exercised against the entire amount of retroactive SSI benefits…