What does Retrospective Monthly Accounting determine?

Retrospective Monthly Accounting is a method used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to calculate the amount of benefits payable to a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary. This process involves looking back at the beneficiary's income for the previous month to determine their eligibility and the benefit amount for the current month.

This approach allows the SSA to accurately assess how much income an individual received during the past month, which directly impacts the amount of benefits for which they qualify in the current month. By reviewing the income from the last month, the SSA can adjust the benefit amount accordingly to ensure that it aligns with the beneficiary's financial situation.

In contrast, options related to future benefits, past expenses, or total income from a previous quarter do not align with the specific function of Retrospective Monthly Accounting. The primary focus of this accounting method is strictly on the income reported from the last month, making this choice the most relevant.