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Residential State Supplement (RSS) Program

The Residential State Supplement (RSS) is a program that provides financial assistance to adults with low incomes who have a disability and/or are over age 60, but who do not require care at a skilled nursing facility ("nursing home"). Consumers use the supplement, along with their Social Security, SSI and/or SSDI income, to pay for approved living arrangements. The goal of the RSS Program is to help people who are exiting nursing homes have access to community housing and support services.

Eligible consumers enrolled in the RSS Program receive a monthly cash supplement to assist with the costs of room & board and services available at licensed homes. (See "Where do RSS Consumers Live?" below for information regarding RSS-eligible facilities.) Consumers also receive a Medicaid card that entitles access to Medicaid benefits, such as medical care, hospitalization, prescription drug coverage, and other services.

Please read a brief overview of the RSS program.

RSS Program Enrollment and Eligibility

Eligible consumers should::

• be age 18 or over;
• enrolled in Medicaid or Medicaid-eligible;
• receive SS, SSI and/or SSDI benefits;
• and be planning for discharge from a nursing home.

Once ODMH has determined that consumers have met the non-financial RSS eligibility criteria, then financial eligibility is determined by their local County Department of Job and Familiy Services (CDJFS).

• Most eligible consumers may have a monthly income up to $800.
• Adults living in Community Mental Health Residences may have a monthly income up to $600.
• Adults living in a Residential Care Facility or Adult Group Home may have a monthly income up to $900.
• Consumers may have up to $1,500 in assets (regardless of type of residence).

*Please note that final financial eligibility is determined by CDJFS. Enrollment in a managed care plan for Medicaid benefits will not affect RSS eligibility.

RSS Application & Enrollment Process

To apply for program enrollment, please print & complete the RSS Program Application. Also, please print & complete the RSS Authorization for Release of Information. Last, please print & complete the Confidential Fax Cover Sheet and submit all documents to the RSS Program Administrator via fax at 1-614-365-2105.

Once the application is reviewed by the RSS Administrator and if determined that it meets the non-financial RSS eligibility criteria, then the application is referred by the RSS Administrator to the local County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) for determination of financial eligibility. If the CDJFS approves financial eligibility, the RSS Administrator sends a letter of notification informing the consumer that he or she is enrolled in the RSS Program.

If you have questions regarding the enrollment process or to check the status of an application, please contact the RSS Administrator via email or call toll-free at 1-855-RSS-ODMH(777-6364) .

Where do RSS participants live?

Consumers may reside in several types of ODMH-licensed facilities, including Adult Foster Homes, Adult Care Facilities (includes Adult Family & Group Homes), and Community Mental Health Residential Facilities. RSS consumers may also reside in Residential Care/Assisted Living Facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Please follow the below links for current listings of RSS-eligible facilities:

Authority, Regulatory Rules and Facility Licensure

State Implementation Links
Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5101:1-17 Residential State Supplement Program
Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5122-36 Residential State Supplement Program

Facilities Licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health
Rules governing ODMH-licensed Adult Care Facilities
Rules governing ODMH-licensed Adult Foster Homes
Rules governing ODMH-licensed community Mental Health Residential Facilities

Facilities Licensed by the Ohio Department of Health
Rule governing ODH-licensed facilities

Helpful Contacts

• To learn more about RSS, please contact the RSS Administrator via email or call toll-free at 1-855-RSS-ODMH(777-6364).
• To learn about your community's mental health services, please contact your county mental health board.
• To learn more about long-term care services, information is available on the Ohio Department of Aging's website or contact your local Area Agency on Aging toll-free at 1-866-243- 5678.
• If you were previously enrolled in the RSS Program through the Ohio Department of Aging and need assistance in addressing residency concerns or resolving disputes, please contact the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman via email or call toll-free at 1-800-282-1206.

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