Where Am I Going From Here?

1. Where Am I Going From Here? Maryjane Wysocki MIG Employment Coordinator Agency for Persons with Disabilities

2. Agency for Persons with Disabilities • Serves those with Developmental Disabilities: • Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation) • Cerebral Palsy • Autism • Spina bifida • Prader-Willi Syndrome

3. Sports Money Movies Shop Bus Fare Car Water Parks Swimming Food Games Want to Work? Clothes! • Why? Fun! Theme Parks!

4. Want to Work?

5. 18? • Important year! • Adult in Government’s Eyes • Social Security Administration • Receiving SSI benefits? • Social Security Administration decides if that will continue. • Not receiving SSI benefits? • Parents make too much money? • You can apply at 18 based on your income.

6. 18? Eligible? • Rules for adults • Stricter than rules for children. • Looking at two things • Medical Eligibility • Earnings and Assets

7. Medical Eligibility and Necessity • Must have a disability documented by medical professional. • Must meet or equal a certain level of disability. • Disability must be expected to last 12 months or more or expected to result in death. • ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook

8. Earnings and Assets • $$$ – Earnings and Assets • The SSA defines disability for both programs (SSI and SSDI) as the inability to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (paid work) by reason of any medical (Physical or mental) impairment. ????? • Social Security may help you if you have problems getting or keeping a job to support yourself because of your disability.

9. Amount of Money Earned – Your Income • Individuals cannot be working at the time of application; OR • If working, usually can’t earn more than a certain amount per month (called Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA.) • This amount changes every year. • Those “legally blind,” may not have to meet this earnings test (called SGA)

10. What Can I Do? • Receive a “Disposition of Eligibility” Letter? • Make meeting and be on time! • If you want to work, contact a Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) • Brevard Achievement Center, 321-632-8610 • Experts will tell you: • Should you work or volunteer right now? • What “Work Incentives” you can use to - Make more money. - Get more education.

11. Work Incentives • What are they? • Ways to keep more of the money that you have earned. • ALWAYS make more money if you work and are receiving SSI than if on SSI and do not work. • Be careful! Could lose cash benefits and health care coverage if you don’t obtain benefits assistance first! • Talk to your CWIC when you wish to begin working. • Work with the Social Security Administration about taking advantage of work incentives. • Report your earnings to the correct Social Security Administration program (SSI) or (SSDI) or both, MONTHLY.

12. Work Incentives • Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) • SSI recipients only. • Under the age of 22 and in Grades 7-12 or college • Attend school at least 12 hours per week OR • In Shop Class or Vocational Setting, 15 Hrs • SSA ignores up to $6,600 annual pay • $1640 per month in 2010. • Good for all jobs; great for summer jobs.

13. Work Incentives • BWE - Blind Work Expense – SSI Only • Use for expenses reasonably attributed to earning income. • Expense not related directly to blindness or a work related expense but must be out of pocket. • Examples: Guide Dog, any fees, transportation to and from work, training, taxes, etc. (See ssa.gov)

14. Work Incentives • PASS – Plan for Achieving Self-Support • SSI Recipients Only! • Save money for reaching work or career goals: • Normally, you can only have $2000 in resources. • Allows you to save more than resource limit in order to obtain an occupational objective: - Training - Tools for Work - Car, if needed for - Job Coach - College for work

15. Work Incentives • PESS – Property Essential for Self-Support • SSI Recipients Only! • You’ve saved money. • On this program, Social Security Administration will not include (as part of the $2,000 resource limit) the value of certain things you need to buy in order to work (vehicle for work, tools, equipment, inventory for your business, etc.).

16. Work Incentives • Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) • SSI AND SSDI Recipients. • This covers expenses related to work. • Social Security will cover the expenses so you can earn more money.

17. Work Incentives • Subsidies • SSI and SSDI Recipients. • I can’t do as much work as my co-workers. • May allow you to earn more money.

18. Work Incentives • Section 301 • SSI and SSDI Recipients. • For students who attended their “Disposition of Eligibility” Meeting • Social Security says you are “No longer qualified for benefits.” • Allows students to stay in school from 18-22 and still receive benefits (check and medical).

19. Remember • Receive a “Disposition of Eligibility” Letter? • Make meeting and be on time! • If you want to work, contact a Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) • Brevard Achievement Center, 321-632-8610 • Experts will tell you: • Should you work or volunteer right now? • What “Work Incentives” you can use to - Make more money. - Get more education.

20. Remember • You will ALWAYS make more money if you work and are receiving SSI than if on SSI and do not work. • Be careful! Could lose cash benefits and health care coverage if Talk to your CWIC when you wish to begin working. • Work with the Social Security Administration about taking advantage of work incentives. • Report your earnings to the correct Social Security Administration program (SSI) or (SSDI) or both, MONTHLY.