SOCIAL SECURITYSOCIAL SECURITY

Work IncentivesWork Incentives

SSI SSI Supplemental Security Income

Disability

SSDISSDISocial Security

Disability 1. Based on Need

2. Must have limited income ($694) & limited resources ($2000)

3. Maximum payment is $674 a month

4. Medicaid

5. Paid on the 1st day of the month

1. Based on Work

2. Must be Insured (FICA based on your earnings (or those of your spouse or parents) $1120=1 Qtr

3. Payment amount based on earnings

4. Medicare after 24 months

5. Paid on the 3rd of the month; or the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday

Applying for Disabilitywww.SSA.GOV

Applying for Disabilitywww.SSA.GOV

To apply for ‘SSI’ call 800-772-1213 for an appointment.

Statutory Blindness Statutory Blindness

Central Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.

Limitation in the Field of vision in the better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

Central Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.

Limitation in the Field of vision in the better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

Letter options(effective 4/15/10)

Letter options(effective 4/15/10)

Standard print notice by first class or certified mail;

Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notice within five business days of the date of the notice;

Standard print notice and Braille by first class mail; or

Standard print notice and a compact disc (CD) in Microsoft Word format by first class mail.

Standard print notice by first class or certified mail;

Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notice within five business days of the date of the notice;

Standard print notice and Braille by first class mail; or

Standard print notice and a compact disc (CD) in Microsoft Word format by first class mail.

SSDI Work IncentivesSSDI Work Incentives

What happens if I go to work?What happens if I go to work?

A 9-month Trial Work Period allows you to work and receive benefits no matter how high your monthly earnings may be. These months do

not have to be consecutive, but do have to fall in a 5 year (60 month) period.

A 9-month Trial Work Period allows you to work and receive benefits no matter how high your monthly earnings may be. These months do

not have to be consecutive, but do have to fall in a 5 year (60 month) period.

What happens if I continue to work after I complete my 9 month Trial Work Period?What happens if I continue to work after I complete my 9 month Trial Work Period?

− During the 3 years (36 months) following your Trial Work Period - benefits are paid for any month your earnings are ‘not’ substantial.

− In 2011 gross earnings of more than $1000 ($1640 if you are blind) are considered substantial.

− At the end of the 3 year (36 month) period there is an additional 5 years during which benefits can be reinstated if work stops and there is no medical improvement. (Expedited Reinstatement)

− During the 3 years (36 months) following your Trial Work Period - benefits are paid for any month your earnings are ‘not’ substantial.

− In 2011 gross earnings of more than $1000 ($1640 if you are blind) are considered substantial.

− At the end of the 3 year (36 month) period there is an additional 5 years during which benefits can be reinstated if work stops and there is no medical improvement. (Expedited Reinstatement)

What happens to Medicare if SSDI benefits stop?

What happens to Medicare if SSDI benefits stop?

Continues for at least 93 months (apx 7 ½ years) after the 9 month Trial Work Period

After the 93 month period you may be able to purchase Medicare coverage

You may be eligible for You may be eligible for Medicaid Buy-In from your Medicaid Buy-In from your StateState

Continues for at least 93 months (apx 7 ½ years) after the 9 month Trial Work Period

After the 93 month period you may be able to purchase Medicare coverage

You may be eligible for You may be eligible for Medicaid Buy-In from your Medicaid Buy-In from your StateState

Additional SSDI Work IncentivesAdditional SSDI Work Incentives Subsidy

− We only count the value of a beneficiary’s work. For example, if an SSDI beneficiary is paid $10 an hour but is only able to perform half the duties someone in his position usually performs, we will only charge them with $5 per hour.

IRWE− During the extended period of eligibility, we deduct

certain impairment related costs from countable earnings.

Averaging− During the extended period of eligibility we can

average earnings over a period of time if it is more advantageous.

Subsidy− We only count the value of a beneficiary’s work. For

example, if an SSDI beneficiary is paid $10 an hour but is only able to perform half the duties someone in his position usually performs, we will only charge them with $5 per hour.

IRWE− During the extended period of eligibility, we deduct

certain impairment related costs from countable earnings.

Averaging− During the extended period of eligibility we can

average earnings over a period of time if it is more advantageous.

SSI Work IncentivesSSI Work Incentives

How earnings affect SSI payments

How earnings affect SSI payments

SSA counts less than half of your earned income For example:

$885 in wages $400 counts against SSI $1,159 total income (persons with ONLY SSI &

income from wages)

Certain impairment related work expenses can also be deducted from your gross wages.

SSA counts less than half of your earned income For example:

$885 in wages $400 counts against SSI $1,159 total income (persons with ONLY SSI &

income from wages)

Certain impairment related work expenses can also be deducted from your gross wages.

Blind Work Expenses for SSI claimants

Blind Work Expenses for SSI claimants

Expenses necessary for an individual to work are deducted from countable earnings.

Examples:

Service Dog

Transportation to and from work

Taxes (Federal, state, local and FICA)

Attendant Care

Meals during work hours

Medication

Union fees

Uniforms

Expenses necessary for an individual to work are deducted from countable earnings.

Examples:

Service Dog

Transportation to and from work

Taxes (Federal, state, local and FICA)

Attendant Care

Meals during work hours

Medication

Union fees

Uniforms

What happens if my earnings are so high that my SSI stopsWhat happens if my earnings are so high that my SSI stops

Benefits can start again if you stop working or your earnings decrease

If your earnings are so high that your SSI payments stop: − Medicaid continues until

you earn above your States’ threshold ’ threshold during the calendar year

− People with high medical costs can earn even more

Benefits can start again if you stop working or your earnings decrease

If your earnings are so high that your SSI payments stop: − Medicaid continues until

you earn above your States’ threshold ’ threshold during the calendar year

− People with high medical costs can earn even more

Other SSI Work IncentivesOther SSI Work Incentives•IRWE (Impairment Related Work Expenses)

•Expenses related to disability necessary for individual to work. See included chart.

•Student Earned Income Exclusion

•For 2011 - $1640/month, but no more than $6600 for the year.

•PASS (Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency)

•Allows us to exclude additional income and resources if used towards the achievement of a specific vocational goal.

•PESS (Property Essential for Self Support)

•We exclude resources necessary for self employment.

Ticket to WorkTicket to Work

What is a Ticket to Work?What is a Ticket to Work?

A ticket can be used to get free employment services

A ticket can be used to get free employment services

TICKET TO WORKTICKET TO WORK

Employment Networks provide beneficiaries with more choices when it comes to vocational rehabilitation, job preparation, and job placement services

Employment Networks provide beneficiaries with more choices when it comes to vocational rehabilitation, job preparation, and job placement services

For the Ticket Holder:For the Ticket Holder:• No Medical review while ticket is “In Use”• Free employment support services

MEDICAID BUY-INMEDICAID BUY-IN

Must meet the disability requirements of the Social Security Administration

Be employed or self employed, part or full time For more information:

Contact your State Vocational Rehabilitation Office

or

Contact your WIPA http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPA.html

Must meet the disability requirements of the Social Security Administration

Be employed or self employed, part or full time For more information:

Contact your State Vocational Rehabilitation Office

or

Contact your WIPA http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPA.html

37 STATES Offer Medicaid Buy-in37 STATES Offer Medicaid Buy-in

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Connecticut

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Connecticut

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

MassachusettsMassachusettsMichiganMichiganMinnesotaMinnesotaNebraskaNebraskaNevadaNevadaNew HampshireNew HampshireNew JerseyNew JerseyNew MexicoNew MexicoNew YorkNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorth DakotaOhioOhioOregonOregon

PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandRhode IslandSouth DakotaSouth DakotaTexasTexasUtahUtahVermontVermontVirginiaVirginiaWashingtonWashingtonWest VirginiaWest VirginiaWisconsinWisconsinWyomingWyoming

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)

Information about how your benefits are affected by working

Benefits Analysis- A more personalized explanation about how benefits are affected by a particular vocational goal

Help to explore employment options and long term supports (Federal, State & local employment programs and incentives)

www.yourtickettowork.com/wipas

Information about how your benefits are affected by working

Benefits Analysis- A more personalized explanation about how benefits are affected by a particular vocational goal

Help to explore employment options and long term supports (Federal, State & local employment programs and incentives)

www.yourtickettowork.com/wipas