CMI briefingSCDHHSResidential Care & HCBS Waivers

SCDHHS optional state supplementation (OSS)

This document describes SCDHHS's Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program, a state-funded supplement for low-income individuals residing in licensed Community Residential Care Facilities, including its eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Updated Aug 30, 2026

This page is CMI's own briefing on the topic, written by CMI. It is not the text of the regulation. Read the regulation itself in the Regulatory hub.

Program Overview

Optional State Supplementation (OSS) — A state-funded program designed to help low-income persons meet basic living needs not fully covered by the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provided in licensed Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs).

OSS is not a Medicaid program.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive OSS, a person must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be age 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
  • Have income and financial resources within certain limits.
  • Be a citizen of the United States of America or meet certain citizenship requirements.
  • Be a resident in a licensed and enrolled CRCF and have an authorized slot.

(The source references a link to "View all eligibility requirements" for additional detail not captured in this extraction.)

Required Application Forms

When completing an OSS application, the following forms are needed:

  • Form 3401 – No active Medicaid
  • Form 3400A – has active Medicaid
  • Form 1728 – only receiving SSI

Medicaid Eligibility Fax – 888-820-1204

Required Supporting Documentation

We will also need a:

  • 30-day bank statement from the previous month.
  • Life Insurance Policy (cash value and dividends) as of the 1st of the month.
  • Burial Contract.
  • Signed Authorized Representative form. (English) (Spanish)
  • Form 943* (Information for Release Form), with the client's signature.
  • Health Insurance Card (Medicare, VA and/or Pension) and award amounts.
  • Current recurring income amount from SSA/Pension.
  • Property owner to have the correct address and tax notice (intent to return home).

Additional Resources

  • OSS Provider Manual (referenced link in source; full manual content not included in this extraction)

Note: This source page as provided is a brief program summary/portal page rather than the full regulatory text. It references additional materials — including a full list of "all eligibility requirements," an "OSS Provider Manual," and downloadable Authorized Representative forms (English/Spanish) and Form 943 — that were linked but not included in the extracted text. Providers should consult the full SCDHHS OSS Provider Manual and linked forms directly for complete requirements, as this entry only reflects the content captured on this page.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.