making employment work: creating financial independence ... · • irwes are defined the same for...
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MAKING EMPLOYMENT WORK: CREATING FINANCIAL
INDEPENDENCE THROUGH WORK INCENTIVES – PART II
LAUREN HORNER
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
MARYLAND BENEFITS COUNSELING NETWORK
MAKING EMPLOYMENT
WORKAGENDA
• OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS
• TITLE II BENEFIT PROGRAM & WORK INCENTIVES
• MEDICARE, MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS (MSP), & EID
• REPORTING EARNINGS FOR TITLE II
• SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) BENEFIT PROGRAM
• SSI WORK INCENTIVES
• MEDICAID
• REPORTING EARNINGS FOR SSI
• CONCURRENT BENEFICIARIES
• TICKET TO WORK
• BENEFITS COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, & WRAP UP
ASSESSMENT
• FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TRAINING, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH THE LINK AND PASSWORD TO COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING ASSESSMENT.
• YOU WILL BE GIVEN 2 ATTEMPTS TO SCORE AT LEAST 80% IN ORDER TO PASS.
• CEUS/COPS WILL BE MAILED TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED AFTER A PASSING SCORE IS OBTAINED.
• BE SURE TO DEDICATE TIME FOR YOUR ASSESSMENT. IF YOU LEAVE THE ASSESSMENT PAGE ONCE STARTED, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOG BACK IN WHERE YOU LEFT OF.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)
• SSI FALLS UNDER THE TITLE XVI BENEFIT PROGRAM.
• PROVIDES SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TO ADULTS WITH LITTLE OR NO INCOME WHO ARE:• AGE 65 OR OLDER, OR • ARE BLIND, OR • HAVE A DISABILITY.
• NEEDS BASED PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL MUST HAVE NO OR LIMITED RESOURCES AND INCOME TO QUALIFY.
• ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ALSO RECEIVE MEDICAID.
SSI ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
GENERAL CRITERIA• INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET
SSA'S DISABILITY CRITERIA, OR BLIND CRITERIA OR ARE OVER 65 AND MEET INCOME AND RESOURCE LIMIT GUIDELINES
• BE A US CITIZEN OR QUALIFIED ALIEN
INCOME CRITERIA• AN INDIVIDUAL'S
“COUNTABLE INCOME” (COMBINATION OF UNEARNED & EARNED) CANNOT BE GREATER THAN $783 PER MONTH (FOR 2020).
RESOURCE CRITERIA• $2,000 limit for individuals
• $3,000 limit for married couple (two SSI–eligible persons residing together)
• SSA does not count the following resources:
• An individual’s home he/she lives in and the land it is on;
• Life insurance policies with a face value of $1,500 or less;
• One car (usually); • Burial plots for the
individual and members of his/her immediate family; and
• Special Needs Trust Fund • ABLE Accounts
SSI ELIGIBILITY – FINANCIAL CRITERIA
• The MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SSI ANY ONE PERSON CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR IS KNOWN AS THE FEDERAL BENEFIT RATE (FBR).
• IN 2020 THE FEDERAL BENEFIT RATE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IS $783 PER MONTH.
• THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF SSI AN INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIES FOR DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF OTHER INCOME HE OR SHE RECEIVES. SSA LOOKS AT 2 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF INCOME WHEN CALCULATING SSI PAYMENT AMOUNTS:
• COUNTABLE UNEARNED INCOME• COUNTABLE EARNED INCOME
CALCULATING SSI BENEFIT AMOUNTS
• MOST INCOME EXCEPT THAT FROM WAGES, SALARY, OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT.
• FOR EXAMPLE: VETERANS BENEFITS, UNEMPLOYMENT, WORKER’S COMPENSATION BENEFITS (BUT NOT FOOD STAMPS).
• INLCUDES OTHER SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS RECEIVED LIKE SSDI AND RETIREMENT.
• TO CALCULATE COUNTABLE UNEARNED INCOME:
GROSS UNEARNED INCOME- $20 General Income Exclusion (GIE)____________________________
= Countable Unearned Income
• EARNED INCOME FROM WORK WILL REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SSI AN INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE FOR BUT NOT DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR!
• TO CALCULATE COUNTABLE EARNED INCOME:
GROSS EARNED INCOME - $20 GENERAL INCOME EXCLUSION
(GIE ONLY SUBTRACTED IF NOT ALREADY SUBTRACTED FROM UNEARNED INCOME)
- $65 EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION (EIE)- APPLICABLE WORK INCENTIVESDIVIDE BY 2
___________________________________= Countable Earned Income
COUNTABLE UNEARNED INCOME COUNTABLE EARNED INCOME
Step Calculations
Unearned Income
General Income Exclusion (GIE)
Countable Unearned Income
Gross Earned Income
Student Earned Income Exclusion
Remainder
GIE (if not used above)
Remainder
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE)
Remainder
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)
Remainder
Divide by 2
Blind Work Expenses (BWE)
Countable Earned Income
Total Countable Unearned Income
Total Countable Earned Income
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income
Base SSI Rate:
Total Countable Income
Adjusted SSI Payment
SSI CALCULATION EARNED INCOME –
CASE EXAMPLE
• ELTON CURRENTLY RECEIVES $783 PER MONTH IN SSI.
• HE’S CONSIDERING WORKING PART-TIME AS A HOTEL PIANO PLAYER BUT WANTS TO KNOW HOW IT WILL IMPACT HIS BENEFIT.
• IF HE WERE TO WORK 20 HOURS PER WEEK AT $11 PER HOUR, HE WOULD HAVE $953 PER MONTH IN EARNINGS.
• CALCULATE WHAT HIS NEW SSI PAYMENT WOULD BE…
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Step Calculations
Unearned Income $0
General Income Exclusion (GIE) -
Countable Unearned Income = $0
Gross Earned Income $953
Student Earned Income Exclusion -0
Remainder 0
GIE (if not used above) - $20
Remainder $933
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) - $65
Remainder $868
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) -0
Remainder 0
Divide by 2 $434
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) -0
Countable Earned Income = $434
Total Countable Unearned Income $0
Total Countable Earned Income + $434
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income = $434
Base SSI Rate: $783
Total Countable Income - $434
Adjusted SSI Payment = $349
• ELTON’S SSI DECREASED AS A RESULT OF WORKING BUT DOES HE HAVE LESS MONEY?
• NO!
• ELTON IS FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF BY WORKING!
• SSI ALONE = $783
• $349 SSI + $953 EARNINGS = $1302 TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME
• CHARLIE RECEIVES $783 PER MONTH IN SSI.
• HE IS SCHEDULED TO START WORKING AS A LIFE COACH NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE EARNING $1,200 PER MONTH.
• CALCULATE WHAT HIS NEW SSI PAYMENT WOULD BE…
SSI CALCULATION EARNED INCOME –
CASE EXAMPLE #2
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Step Calculations
Unearned Income $0
General Income Exclusion (GIE) -
Countable Unearned Income = $0
Gross Earned Income $1,200
Student Earned Income Exclusion -0
Remainder 0
GIE (if not used above) - $20
Remainder $1,180
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) - $65
Remainder $1,115
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) -0
Remainder 0
Divide by 2 $557.50
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) -0
Countable Earned Income = $557.50
Total Countable Unearned Income $0
Total Countable Earned Income + $557.50
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income = $557.50
Base SSI Rate: $783
Total Countable Income - $557.50
Adjusted SSI Payment = $225.50
• CHARLIE’S SSI DECREASED AS A RESULT OF WORKING BUT DOES HE HAVE LESS MONEY?
• NO!
• CHARLIE IS FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF BY WORKING!
• SSI ALONE = $783
• $225.50 SSI + $1,200 EARNINGS = $1,425.50 TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME
SSI WORK INCENTIVES
• THERE ARE THREE KEY WORK INCENTIVES FOR WHICH SSI RECIPIENTS MAYQUALIFY TO HELP THEM RECEIVE OR RETAIN HIGHER CASH BENEFITS:
– IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSES (IRWES)– BLIND WORK EXPENSES (BWES)– STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION (SEIE)
• THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER WORK INCENTIVE CALLED A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUPPORT (PASS) WHICH IS A TOOL TO HELP REDUCE AN INDIVIDUAL’S LONG TERM RELIANCE ON CASH BENEFITS.
IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSE(IRWE)
• IRWES ARE DEFINED THE SAME FOR SSI AS FOR THE TITLE II PROGRAM.
• IRWE AMOUNTS ARE DEDUCTED FROM GROSS EARNINGS WITHIN THE SSI BENEFIT CALCULATION AND ENABLE A PERSON TO KEEP MORE OF THEIR SSI WHILE WORKING.
• IRWES MUST BE REPORTED AND APPROVED BY SSA IN ORDER TO BE COUNTED. INDIVIDUAL MUST PROVIDE SSA WITH COPIES OF IRWE RECEIPTS EVERY MONTH.
SSI CALCULATION –IRWES
• CARLTON RECEIVES $783 PER MONTH IN SSI.
• HE RECENTLY STARTED WORKING FROM HOME EARNING $1500 PER MONTH. HE PAYS $150 PER MONTH FOR ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT ENABLES HIM TO WORK FROM HOME.
• CALCULATE WHAT HIS NEW SSI PAYMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN HIS EARNINGS AND WORK-RELATED EXPENSES…
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Step Calculations
Unearned Income $0
General Income Exclusion (GIE) -
Countable Unearned Income = $0
Gross Earned Income $1500
Student Earned Income Exclusion -0
Remainder 0
GIE (if not used above) - $20
Remainder $1480
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) - $65
Remainder $1415
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) - $150
Remainder $1265
Divide by 2 $632.50
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) -0
Countable Earned Income = $632.50
Total Countable Unearned Income $0
Total Countable Earned Income + $632.50
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income = $632.50
Base SSI Rate: $783
Total Countable Income - $632.50
Adjusted SSI Payment = $150.50
• CARLTON’S SSI DECREASED AS A RESULT OF WORKING BUT DOES HE HAVE LESS MONEY?
• NO!
• CARLTON IS FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF BY WORKING!
• SSI ALONE = $783
• $150.50 SSI + $1500 EARNINGS = $1,650.50 TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME
BLIND WORK EXPENSE-(BWE)
• A BWE IS AN EXPENSE INCURRED DUE TO WORK AND PAID FOR BY THE INDIVIDUAL. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO BE RELATED TO BLINDNESS. BWE’S ARE NOT TIME LIMITED.
• EXAMPLES OF BWE’S ARE: – GUIDE DOG EXPENSES. – TRANSPORTATION. – WORK-RELATED TRAINING. – ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. – MEDICAL SERVICES AND MEDICATIONS. – FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES WITHHELD. – SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE TAXES WITHHELD. – MANDATORY PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS. – WORK-RELATED EQUIPMENT. – CHILDCARE. – MEALS CONSUMED AT WORK.
STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION -(SEIE)
• THE SEIE ALLOWS SSI RECIPIENTS WHO ARE • UNDER AGE 22, AND • “REGULARLY ATTENDING SCHOOL”
TO EXCLUDE EARNED INCOME UP TO $1,900 PER MONTH WITH A MAXIMUM OF $7,670 PER CALENDAR YEAR (FOR 2020).
• REGULARLY ATTENDING SCHOOL MEANS TAKING AT LEAST ONE COURSE OF STUDY AND ATTENDING CLASSES: – IN GRADES 7-12 FOR TWELVE HOURS PER WEEK.– IN COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOR EIGHT HOURS PER
WEEK.– IN TRAINING COURSES TO PREPARE FOR
EMPLOYMENT 12 HOURS PER WEEK (15 HOURS PER WEEK IF COURSE INVOLVES SHOP PRACTICE).
– FOR LESS TIME THAN INDICATED ABOVE FOR REASONS BEYOND CONTROL, SUCH AS ILLNESS.
STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION CASE EXAMPLE
• DOOGIE HOUSER RECEIVES $783 PER MONTH IN SSI AND IS REGULARLY ATTENDING SCHOOL.
• HE WAS OFFERED A SUMMER JOB AND WILL BE EARNING $1,300 PER MONTH. HE WILL RETURN TO SCHOOL THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR.
• CALCULATE WHAT HIS NEW SSI PAYMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN HIS EARNINGS…
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Step Calculations
Unearned Income $0
General Income Exclusion (GIE) -
Countable Unearned Income = $0
Gross Earned Income $1,300
Student Earned Income Exclusion - $1,300
Remainder 0
GIE (if not used above) - $20
Remainder $0
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) - $65
Remainder $0
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) -
Remainder $0
Divide by 2 $0
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) -0
Countable Earned Income = $0
Total Countable Unearned Income $0
Total Countable Earned Income + $0
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income = $0
Base SSI Rate: $783
Total Countable Income - $0
Adjusted SSI Payment = $783
• DOOGIE CAN EXCLUDE ALL $1,300 OF HIS EARNINGS UNDER THE SEIE.
• THIS MEANS HIS SSI IS NOT REDUCED AT ALL!
• DOOGIE IS FINANCIALLY WAY BETTER OFF BY WORKING!
• SSI ALONE = $783
• $783 SSI + $1,300 EARNINGS = $2,083 TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME
• DOOGIE WANTS TO SAVE HIS SUMMER EARNINGS TOWARDS MEDICAL SCHOOL COSTS.
• REMEMBER, HOWEVER, SSI HAS A $2,000 RESOURCE LIMIT.
• AN ABLE ACCOUNT MIGHT BE A GREAT OPTION FOR DOOGIE!
PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF SUPPORT –(PASS)
• A WORK INCENTIVE THAT ENABLES QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS TO SET ASIDE INCOME OR RESOURCES TO PAY FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO SERVICES AND/OR EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO REACH A WORK GOAL.
• THE WORK GOAL MUST REDUCE OR ELIMINATE DEPENDENCE ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
• ANY MONEY SAVED OR USED FOR APPROVED PASS EXPENSES IS EXCLUDED AS INCOME WHEN SSA DOES AN SSI CALCULATION. • A PASS CAN HELP SOMEONE TO KEEP MORE OF THEIR SSI
BENEFIT WHEN IT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REDUCED BECAUSE OF OTHER INCOME.
• MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. A PASS IS TIME LIMITED – THE LENGTH IS BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL’S GOAL.
• IF THE INDIVIDUAL CHANGES HIS OR HER WORK GOAL, THEN HE OR SHE MAY APPLY FOR ANOTHER PASS.
• NO LIFETIME LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF PASS’S AN INDIVIDUAL IS ABLE TO RECEIVE; ONLY THAT EACH ONE BE USED TO ACHIEVE DIFFERENT WORK GOAL.
WHAT IS SSI IS REDUCED TO $0 BECAUSE OF MY
EARNINGS… WHAT HAPPENS TO MY
MEDICAID?
CONTINUED MEDICAID COVERAGE 1619(B)
• IF AN INDIVIDUAL LOSES HIS/HER SSI CASH BENEFIT DUE TO EARNED INCOME, HE/SHE CAN RETAIN HIS/HER MEDICAID THROUGH 1619(B).
• TO QUALIFY FOR 1619(B), A PERSON MUST:– Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least one month; – Still meet the disability and non-disability requirements; – Need Medicaid in order to work, and – Have gross earned income which is either below a predetermined state threshold level or below
an individualized threshold.
• MARYLAND THRESHOLD FOR 2020 IS $41,157 PER YEAR. • Only earnings are counted towards the threshold.
REPORTING EARNINGS – SSI
• EVERY SSI RECIPIENT THAT WORKS NEEDS TO REPORT TO SOCIAL SECURITY.
• AS SOON AS WORK STARTS, RECIPIENTS SHOULD PROVIDE SSA WITH THEIR EMPLOYER NAME AND THE EMPLOYER’S EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN).
• EARNINGS THEN NEED TO BE REPORTED MONTHLY, BY THE 6TH DAY OF EACH MONTH!
• REPORTING OPTIONS INCLUDE:• ENTERING PAYSTUB INFORMATION THROUGH ONE’S MYSSA ACCOUNT; OR• LOGGING INTO THE MOBILE APP; OR• CALLING INTO THE AUTOMATED PHONE SYSTEM (1-866-772-0953); OR• SUBMITTING COPIES OF PAYSTUBS BY CERTIFIED MAIL, FAX, OR IN-PERSON TO LOCAL
SSA OFFICES (BUT NOT RECOMMENDED).
Poll time!
CONCURRENT BENEFICIARY
• CONCURRENT DESCRIBES INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS UNDER BOTH THE SSI AND TITLE II PROGRAMS AT THE SAME TIME.
• CONCURRENT BENEFICIARIES CAN USE ALL WORK INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO SSI AND TITLE II BENEFICIARIES.
• WHEN YOU ADVISE A CONCURRENT BENEFICIARY ON THE IMPACT OF WORK, YOU MUST CONSIDER BOTH THE IMPACT TO THE TITLE II AND SSI BENEFITS INDIVIDUALLY.
CONCURRENT BENEFICIARY –CASE EXAMPLE
• THIS IS EDGAR. EDGAR LIVES A COMPLICATED LIFE. HE RECEIVES $310 IN SSDI AND $493 PER MONTH IN SSI.
• EDGAR IS OFFERED A JOB EARNING $1,075 PER MONTH AND WANTS TO KNOW HOW THIS WILL IMPACT EACH OF HIS BENEFITS. THIS IS HIS FIRST JOB SINCE HE STARTED RECEIVING BENEFITS.
• WE NEED TO DETERMINE…• HOW WILL EDGAR’S NEW JOB IMPACT HIS SSDI BENEFIT?
• CALCULATE EDGAR’S NEW SSI PAYMENT.• CONSIDER THE IMPACT ON HIS HEALTH INSURANCE? • IS EDGAR FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF BY WORKING?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
CONCURRENT CASE EXAMPLE - RESULTS
HOW IS HIS SSDI IMPACTED?
– DOES HE HAVE THE TRIAL WORK PERIOD AVAILABLE?– YES! WE SAID THIS IS HIS FIRST JOB SINCE SSDI STARTED.
– WILL HE START USING TRIAL WORK PERIOD MONTHS? – YES! BECAUSE EARNINGS ARE ABOVE THE $910 BENCHMARK.
– WILL EDGAR’S SSDI PAYMENTS CONTINUE? – YES! SSDI PAYMENTS ARE GUARANTEED DURING THE TWP.
– WHAT HEALTH INSURANCE DOES EDGAR HAVE THROUGH SSDI?– MEDICARE
– WILL MEDICARE CONTINUE? – YES! MEDICARE CONTINUES AUTOMATICALLY WHILE SSDI PAYMENTS ARE RECEIVED.
Step Calculations
Unearned Income $310
General Income Exclusion (GIE) - $20
Countable Unearned Income = $290
Gross Earned Income $1,075
Student Earned Income Exclusion -
Remainder
GIE (if not used above) -
Remainder $
Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) - $65
Remainder $1,010
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) -
Remainder $0
Divide by 2 $505
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) -0
Countable Earned Income = $505
Total Countable Unearned Income $290
Total Countable Earned Income + $505
PASS Deduction
Total Countable Income = $795
Base SSI Rate: $783
Total Countable Income - $795
Adjusted SSI Payment = $0
CONCURRENT CASE EXAMPLE - RESULTS
HOW IS HIS SSI IMPACTED?
• WHAT IS EDGAR’S NEW SSI PAYMENT?
• NEW SSI PAYMENT IS $0
WHAT HEALTH INSURANCE DOES HERMAN HAVE THROUGH SSI?
• MEDICAID
• WILL MEDICAID CONTINUE?
• YES! MEDICAID CAN CONTINUE UNDER 1619(B).
• IS EDGAR FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF?
• YES!! EDGAR HAS $1,385 PER MONTH IN INCOME WHILE WORKING VERSUS $803 PER MONTH WHILE NOT WORKING.
REPORTING EARNINGS – CONCURRENT BENEFICIARIES• EVERY CONCURRENT BENEFICIARY THAT WORKS NEEDS TO REPORT TO SOCIAL SECURITY.
• AS SOON AS WORK STARTS, RECIPIENTS SHOULD PROVIDE SSA WITH THEIR EMPLOYER NAME AND THE EMPLOYER’S EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN).
• RECIPIENTS OR REP PAYEES SHOULD THEN REPORT EARNINGS EVERY MONTH THROUGH THEIR my SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS ONLINE. THIS IS THE BEST WAY FOR CONCURRENTS TO REPORT!
• THOSE WHO CANNOT REPORT ONLINE CAN… • SUBMIT COPIES OF PAYSTUBS (WITH SSN AND “ATTENTION TITLE II CLAIMS REP” WRITTEN) TO THEIR
LOCAL SSA OFFICE MONTHLY, AND• REPORT MONTHLY BY THE 6TH OF EACH MONTH USING THE MOBILE APP OR AUTOMATED PHONE
SYSTEM.
WHAT IS THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM?• THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) STARTED THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM TO
HELP PEOPLE WHO GET SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO FIND A JOB AND TO STAY EMPLOYED.
• SSA HAS SET UP AGREEMENTS WITH HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AROUND THE COUNTRY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN FIND THESE SERVICES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. MOST OFTEN, THE SERVICES ARE CAREER GUIDANCE, JOB PLACEMENT, JOB COACHING AND/OR BENEFITS COUNSELING
• SOCIAL SECURITY CALLS THESE AGENCIES “EMPLOYMENT NETWORKS” AND ENS.
• THE BENEFICIARY “ASSIGNS” A TICKET TO AN EN. IN TURN, THE EN PROVIDES NEEDED SERVICES AT NO CHARGE.
• SSA HAS CONTRACTED WITH A COMPANY CALLED MAXIMUS TO ADMINISTER THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM.
WHAT IS A TICKET?
• ANYONE WHO IS RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS HAS A TICKET TO WORK. YOU DO NOT NEED AN ACTUAL PAPER “TICKET.” HOWEVER, THIS IS WHAT A TICKET TO WORK LOOKS LIKE. SOCIAL SECURITY MAILS IT WITHIN THE AWARD LETTER.
GOALS OF THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM
Increase the number of beneficiaries entering the work force
Reduce beneficiary dependency on cash benefits
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM HELP A BENEFICIARY?
• THE BENEFICIARY GETS NO-COST EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND BECOME MORE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT.
• WHEN A TICKET IS ASSIGNED TO AN EMPLOYMENT NETWORK, SSA WILL NOT CONDUCT A CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW (AS LONG AS TIMELY PROGRESS IS MET).
• SOME AGENCIES PROVIDE ONGOING PERSONALIZED BENEFITS COUNSELING ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY’S SAFETY NETS FOR CASH BENEFITS AND MEDICAL COVERAGE.
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE TICKET PROGRAM DOES NOTPROVIDE A BLANKET PROTECTION TO BENEFITS. SSI BENEFITS ARE STILL REDUCED AND TITLE II BENEFITS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO THE PHASES OF RULES.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ASSIGNING A TICKET
• THE EN WILL WORK WITH THE BENEFICIARY TO SET UP AN INDIVIDUALIZED WORK PLAN (IWP). THE PLAN WILL INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT GOALS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE BENEFICIARY EXPECTS TO EARN.
• THE EN WILL TYPICALLY ASK THE BENEFICIARY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WAGES EARNED – USUALLY COPIES OF PAYSTUBS ARE REQUESTED MONTHLY.
TIMELY PROGRESS REVIEWS
• IN ORDER FOR THE TICKET TO STAY “ASSIGNED” TO AN EN, MAXIMUS WILL TRACK A TICKET HOLDER’S PROGRESS ANNUALLY.
• USUALLY CONDUCTED AT THE END OF EVERY 12 MONTH PERIOD FROM THE DATE THE TICKET IS ASSIGNED OR IN USE.
• MAXIMUS CHECKS THE EARNINGS OF TICKET HOLDER IN COMPARISON TO PRE-SET MILESTONES.
IF EARNINGS MEET SSA GUIDELINES, NO FURTHER ACTION TAKES PLACES.
IF EARNINGS DON’T MEET SSA GUIDELINES, MAXIMUS CONTACTS BENEFICIARY.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
• The Ticket to Work program and Social Security’s work incentives are voluntary.
• There is no penalty if you decide not to participate.
COMMUNICATING WITH SSA
• ENCOURAGE BENEFICIARIES TO BE GOOD RECORDKEEPERS!
• KEEP ALL CORRESPONDENCES FROM SSA
• ASK FOR A RECEIPT WHEN PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION TO SSA
• ALWAYS KEEP A COPY OF SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION
• KNOW CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE THAT IS HANDLING CASE
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
HOW TO ACCESS BENEFITS COUSNELING
DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (DORS)
DORS CAN ADD BENEFITS COUNSELING SERVICES TO A CONSUMER’S EMPLOYMENT
PLAN.
INDIVIDUALS AND SUPPORT PERSONS SHOULD ADVOCATE FOR BENEFITS COUNSELING
TO BE A PART OF THE CONSUMER’S EMPLOYMENT PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING.
TICKET TO WORK
BENEFITS COUNSELING CAN BE ACCESSED VIA AN EMPLOYMENT NETWORK THROUGH THE TICKET TO
WORK PROGRAM.
NOT ALL EN’S OFFER THIS SERVICE SO BE SURE TO
CHECK BEFORE ASSIGNING THE TICKET.
WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING &
ASSISTANCE (WIPA)
SSA FUNDED PROJECT WHICH OFFERS FREE BENEFITS COUNSELING SERVICES TO
INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN WORK OR ALREADY WORKING.
IN MOST AREAS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ONLY REMOTELY.
DRAWBACK IS THAT SERVICES ARE PRIORITIZED FOR ALREADY EMPLOYED.
MD-WINPHONE: 1.888.838.1776
WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.MD-WIN.ORG/
MAKING EMPLOYMENT WORK –USING THIS INFORMATION
• YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE BENEFITS COUNSELING.
• YOU SHOULD USE THIS INFORMATION TO:• EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT WORK INCENTIVES;
• BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT REGARDING THE FEAR OF LOSING BENEFITS;
• DISPEL MYTHS ABOUT HOW WORKING IMPACTS BENEFITS;
• ENCOURAGE EMPLOYMENT,
• ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN USING THIS INFORMATION TO WORK TOWARDS FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.
MAKING EMPLOYMENT WORK –ADVOCACY & BENEFITS COUNSELING
• To help make employment work, you should be able to identify the need for intensive benefits counseling services, advocate as needed, and refer appropriately.
• Most individuals don’t know about benefits counseling and will need support and advocacy to access the service.
QUESTIONS??
RESOURCES• DORS (Division of Rehabilitation Services) – Has programs and services that help people with
disabilities go to work or stay independent in their homes and communities Website: www.dors.state.md.us
• EID (Employed Individuals with Disabilities) – Has information on EID and how to apply. Website: www.mdod.maryland.gov
• SSA (Social Security Administration) - website provides information and resources for individuals who are receiving Social Security benefits or want to find out more about receiving benefits. Website: www.ssa.gov
• MAXIMUS - responsible for managing the Ticket to Work Program for SSA. Send out Timely Progress Review letters to beneficiaries. Website: www.yourtickettowork.com
• Maryland Benefits Counseling Network – www.mdbenefitscounseling.org
RESOURCES• The Red Book - A Guide to Work Incentives - serves as a general reference source about the
employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals and counselors who work with people with disabilities. Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook
• PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support) Resources - the following websites provide general information, link to PASS form, tutorials and examples of a completed PASS. – SSA’s PASS Website - www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm– Cornell University, Employment and Disability Institute - www.passonline.org– University of Montana Rural Institute - www.passplan.org
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!