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Learn how PASS and ABLE plans can help individuals receiving disability benefits maintain financial stability while pursuing vocational and educational goals. Understand the requirements and potential benefits of these programs.
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The Big Question • Will I lose my benefits? • Cash payments • Health care
Disability Benefit Programs • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Both SSDI and SSI = Concurrent benefits
Overview of Social Security Benefit Programs • Title II Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) • Entitlement program based upon insured status • 3 different forms – SSDI, CDB and DWB • Comes with Medicare coverage • Amount of benefit varies • Received on 3rd of month • Income counted when it’s received. • Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Funded by federal tax dollars, not Social Security trust fund • Welfare program based upon financial eligibility • Comes with Medicaid coverage • Set full benefit amount ($771) • Received on 1st of month • Income counted when it’s received.
Resource Limits • Individual’s countable resources must not exceed $2,000 as of the first day of a given month. • Eligible couple’s countable resources must not exceed $3,000 as of the first day of a given month. • Unless on MEPD. ($12,000/13,000)
SSI and Work Incentives • Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) • Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) • Blind Work Expenses (BWE) • Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) • Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts
Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) Allows an individual to set aside income and/or resources for a specified period of time to achieve their vocational goal.
What is a PASS? • An SSI work incentive to assist individuals with disabilities return to work. • If you receive SSI or could qualify for SSI; you can set aside income or resources in order pursue a vocational/educational goal. • Allow for income to be earned/saved without it impacting Social Security Benefits. • Mechanism to grow financial stability and achieve long-term goals.
PASS Plans and Returning to Work • Eligibility and payment amounts are based on income and resources after PASS Plan exclusions. • PASS allows an individual to set aside money and resources to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific vocational/educational goal. • The objective of the PASS is to help individuals obtain and maintain employment which reduces or eliminates SSI or SSDI benefits • Supports financial stability to further employment goals for people • Allows employed individuals to maintain full SSI checks or the duration of the PASS
Examples of PASS Expenditures • Supported Employment services • Items & Capital for starting a Business • Educational & Training expenses • Attendant Care • Child Care • Equipment or tools • Uniforms or special clothing • Vehicle Purchases • Etc.,
PASS Plans Requirements A Successful PASS Plan includes: • An employment plan goal which should result in a decreased reliance on SSI/SSDI Benefits • Specific to the goals and needs of the customer • Submitted in writing for review by the PASS Cadre (Kate Rader) • PASS Form SSA-545-BK • Plans must be approved by SSA for income and resource exclusions to apply.
PASS Plans Requirements • Have a specific vocational goal for the individual: • Obtaining a new position • Maintaining/Advancement current position • Should include Career Pathway Development stages: • Job Training • Post-Secondary Education • Apprenticeships • License/Certifications • Can be written by the individual or supports • Benefits Planner • VR Counselor • CRC • Special Education Teacher • Case Managers • Etc.
PASS Plans Requirements • Establish a specific time frame for reaching the goal • Obtaining Employment • Maintaining/Advancing in Employment • Describe the funds and other resources which will be used to reach the established goal • Income (earned or unearned) • Existing Resources • Describe how the funds and other resources will be used to support the established goal • Maintain records showing financial progress towards the established goals • Be reviewed periodically to assure compliance • Be accompanied by a business plan if the work goal is self-employment
Potential PASS Plans Candidates • Individuals Receiving SSI and Additional (Earned or Unearned) Income • Individuals can set aside earned and/or unearned income for a Vocational to allow SSI Benefits at the Federal Benefit Rate and Medicaid Eligibility • Individuals Receiving SSI and have Excess Resources • Individuals can set aside resources for a Vocational to allow SSI Benefits at the Federal Benefit Rate and Medicaid Eligibility • Individuals Receiving SSI and are newly employed • Individuals can set aside incoming earned for a Vocational to allow SSI Benefits at the Federal Benefit Rate and Medicaid Eligibility prior to having benefits impacted • Individuals in Education/Training/Supported Employment • Individuals can set aside earned and/or unearned income for the partial or full cost of Training or Supported Employment Services to allow SSI Benefits at the Federal Benefit Rate and Medicaid Eligibility • Title II Beneficiaries • Individuals can set aside earned and/or unearned income for a Vocational to allow SSI Benefits at the Federal Benefit Rate and Medicaid Eligibility • May fund more expensive goals • Must be able to fulfill budgetary requirements.
PASS Resources • PASS Plans are submitted to the regional PASS Cadre: Kate Rader • Via Fax: 402-437-5864 • Via USPS: Social Security Administration PASS Cadre, 100 Centennial Mall North Suite 240 in Lincoln, NE 68508 • 866-592-1755 x 23014 or KC.Region.Pass.Cadre@ssa.gov • Reviews take 30-45 days • Elements of a PASS • PASS Application • PASS Cadre Listing
Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Accounts • ABLE accounts are established in the new Section 529A Qualified ABLE Programs • ABLE accounts are qualified savings accounts that receive preferred federal tax treatment • Enable eligible individuals to save for disability related expenses • Currently there are active ABLE programs in 42 states enrolling qualified individuals (most of which are enrolling nationwide) • Assets in and distributions for qualified disability expenses will be disregarded or given special treatment in determining eligibility for most federal means-tested benefits
Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Accounts To be eligible, individuals must meet two requirements: • Age requirement: must be disabled before age 26 (age of onset); AND • Severity of disability: Have been determined to meet the disability requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability benefits (Title XVI or Title II of the Social Security Act) and are receiving those benefits, OR Submit a “disability certification” assuring that the individual holds documentation of a physician’s diagnosis and signature, and confirming that the individual meets the functional disability criteria in the ABLE Act (related to the severity of disability described in Title XVI or Title II of the Social Security Act).
Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Accounts Distributions from an ABLE account may be made for “qualified disability expenses”. • “Qualified disability expenses” are expenses that relate to the designated beneficiary’s blindness or disability and are for the benefit of that designated beneficiary in maintaining or improving his or her health, independence, or quality of life. • The term “qualified disability expenses” should be broadly construed to permit the inclusion of basic living expenses and should not be limited to: expenses for items for which there is a medical necessity, or • Which provide no benefits to others in addition to the benefit to the eligible individual.
Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Accounts Examples of a “qualified disability expenses” can include: • Education • Housing • Transportation • Employment Training and Support • Job Coaching • Accreditation, Certificate and/or job-training related costs • Interview Prep and Resume Development • Employment-related Transportation • Financial Education/Literacy • Assistive Technology • Personal Support Services • Health, Prevention & Wellness • Financial Management & Administrative Services • Legal Fees • Funeral and Burial Expenses • Basic Living Expenses Keep your records and receipts
Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Accounts Additional ABLE Account Information: • No state residency required for most ABLE accounts • Only 1 ABLE account at any given time per beneficiary (person with a disability) • Beneficiary is the owner of the account • Accounts can also have a Signature Authority (SA): the SA must be a parent (of a minor), guardian or Power of Attorney. Only one SA can be on an account at any given time. • $15,000 annual maximum, $420,000 lifetime maximum (Iowa's limit) • $25.00 monthly minimum deposit • Maintenance Fee: $45/$60 annually • $2.00 monthly debit card fee ($250 balance waiver) • Iowa’s ABLE program is administered by the State Treasurer • ABLE assets are disregarded in determining Medicaid eligibility • Once the ABLE account reaches $100,000 balance; SSI cash benefits are ceased until assets are under $100,000. Medicaid eligibility remains. This time period does also not count towards the typical 12-month termination period for SSI benefits. • While the Medicaid payback policy does apply; there are not firm timelines when the state can file a claim against the funds once the beneficiary passes away. • For more information or to start an ABLE Account: https://www.iable.gov/
What is a Ticket to Work? A ticket you can use to get free employment services
Why Assign Your Ticket • No medical review while ticket is in use and making timely progress • Provides $ for additional services for persons with a disability • The program is voluntary • You can always change your mind
Things to remember • Everyone can work • You can work and maintain benefits • You can gradually transition off benefits • You can maintain your Medicare/Medicaid • ALWAYS report wages to SSA, get receipt • Assign T2W
Which is Which (Last Pop Quiz) • 3 Magic Questions: • When do you (usually) receive your check? • 1st (SSI) • 3rd or a Certain Wednesday (SSDI) • How much is your check? • $771 or less (SSI) • More than $771 (SSDI) • How many checks do you receive? • 1 (SSI or SSDI) • 2 (Concurrent: SSI and SSDI)
