Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty ImagesUpdates to definition of public-assistance householdThe agency on Thursday announced a new rule to expand the definition of a public-assistance household. Now, households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, payments and those where not all members receive public assistance will be included. "By simplifying our policies and including an additional program geared towards low-income families, such as the SNAP, we are removing significant barriers to accessing SSI," Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley said in a statement. SNAP is the first public income maintenance benefit to be added to the public-assistance household definition since 1980, according to the Social Security Administration. Other rule changes to help beneficiariesThe Social Security Administration is also working to address outdated practices through two other rules that are set to go into effect on Sept. 30.

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Persons: Martin O'Malley, Darcy Milburn, Milburn, Brown Organizations: Assistance, SNAP, SSI, Social Security Administration, Social, Social Security, National Disability Institute, SSA