Disability benefits from Social Security

1. Disability benefits from Social Security • Two “income support” programs • SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance • SSI – Supplemental Security Income Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

2. SS disability definition • 3 prong definition of disability: • inability to engage in any Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) • SGA currently $860 per month, or $1450 if blind • due to a physical or mental impairment that meets listing or functional equivalent • which has lasted no less than 12 months (or expected to result in death) Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

3. SSDI is insurance type benefit • Social Security Disability INSURANCE • FICA payroll tax buys the insurance • For wage earner and dependents (children, spouses, widows) • Must meet SSA disability definition • Can also get SSI at same time (two checks) – “concurrent benefits” • If SSDI is less than maximum SSI Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

4. SSI is welfare type benefit • People who have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI • limited or no work history • Financial limitations • Family income and asset limits • Maximum federal benefit is around $570/mo. • Some states subsidize federal amount Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

5. Social Security Work Incentives • Set of rules that allow recipients to test their ability to work, to continue working, and to gradually become self sufficient. • Also called “employment supports” • Same and different for SSDI and SSI • Red Book is authoritative source for work incentive information • http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/ Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

6. Trial Work Period (TWP) – 9 months when person can work and receive full SSDI benefits Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) – 36 consecutive months after Trial Work Period when person can get full benefit amount for any month works below SGA. After EPE is over, if person works above SGA ($860/$1450 for blind) benefits are terminated. SSDI Work Incentives Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

7. SSI work incentives • 1619a - Special payments while working – disregards approx one-half of earned income • 1619b - Medicaid while working - disregards approx one-half of earned income if not on SSI • Student Earned Income exclusion – under age 22 and student - disregard income up to $___ • Plan to Achieve Self support (PASS) – plan to set aside income for a special purpose. Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

8. Work incentives for both programs • Ticket to Work Program – payments to employment providers to help person return to work • Impairment-related work expenses – person can deduct certain out of pocket expenses from earned income for SGA. • Subsidy – disregard some percent of person’s earnings when considering SGA Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

9. Eligibility to cash programs provide links to health insurance coverage • Medicare • Linked to SSDI; administered by Soc Sec Adm • For people who qualify for Trust Fund benefits • Standard benefits, parts A, B, C, and D • Medicaid • Linked to SSI; administered by each state; • For people with low income and assets • Benefits are different in every state. Cathy Chambless, Utah State University

10. Client Assistance Program (CAP) • Created in Rehab Act of 1973 • In response to individuals with disabilities speaking out about difficulties in accessing state VR services. • Assists applicants/clients of Rehab services to understand and access service • Is part of “checks and balances” of power of government Cathy Chambless, Utah State University