OREGON’S WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK (WIN) Dispel Myths Create Opportunities

1. OREGON’S WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK (WIN) Dispel Myths Create Opportunities This presentation is sponsored by the Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The project is funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA # 93.768).

2. Oregon’s Work Incentive Network (WIN) WIN is a service that helps people with disabilities: • MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS about work and their benefits • USE WORK INCENTIVES to achieve their employment goals • NAVIGATE THE BENEFITS SYSTEMS when they begin working

3. The WIN Model:A Continuum of Services • Not certain if you want to work, but curious what will happen if you did: • General Information and Referral • You’ve decided you want to work: • Comprehensive Intake and Work Incentive Analysis • Secured job: • Implementing Work Incentive and Reporting Earned Income • Life changes: • Ongoing support with using Work Incentive and/or wage reporting assistance

4. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SPECIALIST(The Generalist)Information and Referral Specialists (I&RS): • Provide general work incentive information and community service/vocational referrals; • Conduct a Comprehensive Intake; • Connect client to a Work Incentive Coordinator; and • Provide ongoing support to those working and utilizing work incentives.

5. WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATOR (The Specialist)Work Incentive Coordinators (WIC) : • Provide in-depth benefits and work incentive planning assistance, • Create a written Work Incentives plan; • Assist with strategizing the use of various work incentives; • Assist with utilizing work incentives; and • Available when work situation changes and different work incentives are needed.

6. WIN SERVICE AREAS

7. Working withPlanning for Work Program WIN and the Planning for Work project work together to create the best possible system for people who want help with benefits and work incentives planning.

8. Additional Parts of the WIN Model • A Training and Technical Assistance (T/A) Center that provides training, certification and assistance to WICs and I&Rs; • Ongoing outreach and informational training for consumers, service providers, agency staff, community partners and other stakeholders; and • An integrated outcomes research program.

9. Today’s Workshop Goal • Is NOT to make you experts in benefit program work incentives and work rules

10. Today’s Workshop GOAL IS to build your knowledge base so you can: • Let your consumers know there are WORK INCENTIVES that support their employment efforts; • Recognize the MYTHS and communicate FACTS; and • Encourage individuals to connect to WIN for more individualized analysis.

11. Today’sWorkshop We’ll Discuss: • How the Work Incentive Network (WIN) works 2. Myths that exist about benefits and working • How to access WIN services

12. Some Basic Terms You Will Need To Know • SSA: Social Security Administration • SSI: Supplemental Security Income • SSDI: Social Security Disability Income • WORK INCENTIVES: Both federal and state-specific programs that assist people with disabilities in return to work efforts

13. The Basics: SSDI Payment andHealth Care System • SSDI • Benefit Name(s) • Eligibility • Cash Check Amount • Resources • Health Insurance FICA

14. The Basics: SSI Payment andHealth Care System • SSI • Benefit Name • Eligibility • Cash Check Amount • Resources • Health Insurance General Fund

15. Myth #1: My SSI goes down when I work, so I end up losing money • Basic Deductions: SSI reduced $1 for every $2 after first $65/$85 • Additional Deductions let you keep more: IRWE, BWE, SEIE, PASS FACT #1: Work Incentives make sure you have MORE MONEY when you work!

16. Myth #2: I have to keep $1 of SSI when I work or I’ll loose SSI eligibility and Medicaid Fact #2: You can earn at least $29,628 a year and keep SSI status AND Medicaid (OHP)!!!! • SSI/Medicaid--1619(b)

17. Myth #3: I will lose my SSDIif I go back to work FACT #3: Work Incentives let you keep your SSDI cash check or status when you work! • Trial Work Period • Extended Period of Eligibility • Impairment Related Work Expenses • Subsidy/Unincurred Business Expense

18. Myth #4: I’m still worried I’ll will lose health insurance if I work FACT #4: Several Work Incentives help you maintain health insurance when you work! • 1619(b) • Employed Persons with Disabilities • Continuation of Medicare • Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work

19. Myth #5: There aren’tany resources to help mereach self-sufficiency • Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) • Individual Development Accounts (IDA) • Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Programs Fact #5: There ARE work incentives that will help pay for expenses related to a vocational goal

20. Myth #6: Working alwaysresults in overpayments • Report regularly • Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported • Get assistance from WIN for help developing a strategy and reporting earned income Fact #6: There are strategies to prevent overpayments

21. ACCESSING WIN SERVICES If you know a person who could use WIN services: • Fill out and fax the WIN Referral Form; • Give the person a WIN brochure so they can call and request services; or • You can call and request services on behalf of the person Meet the I&RS and WIC for your area • You can contact the WIN staff in your area if you’d like them to do onsite outreach to your agency

22. AND WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING? IT’S A “KANJI” A Kanji is a Japanese Symbol. Kanjis have become very popular in the United States, especially with youth and young adults. The WIN kanji means FLOURISH. SO LET’S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO HELP THE FOLKS WE SERVE FLOURISH WITH WIN!

23. QUESTIONS? CALL THE WIN STAFF AT: (INSERT YOUR CIL’S NAME) (INSERT YOUR CIL’S PHONE #) (insert name) • Information & Referral Specialist (insert name) • Work Incentive Coordinator For more information on the Competitive Employment Project: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/cep