Social Security Administration Work Incentives

1. Social Security AdministrationWork Incentives TA Center Webinar September 9, 2014

2. Asking Questions During the Training Submit questions in the chat box on the webinar E-mail questions to HVRP@nchv.org Submit questions through the post-training survey

3. Logistics • Asking questions during the webinar • All participant phone lines are muted • You’ll be unable to ask questions by phone • Please type your question in the on screen chat box • There will be two opportunities during the webinar to ask questions • Can’t hear anything? Be sure to click “start audio” at the top right hand side of the webinar screen. Or you can call in through your phone: • 1-877-366-0711 and provide the following Participant Code: 26432122

4. SOARSSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and RecoveryTechnical Assistance Initiative Sponsored By:Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services AdministrationU.S. Department Of Health And Human Services September 2014

5. SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative • SOAR – SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access & Recovery • Focuses on people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness • Sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with SSA since 2005 • SOAR is active in all 50 states; no direct funding is provided to states • SOAR TA Center helps states and communities by providing technical assistance and training

6. SOAR Has Broad Goals

7. Overview of Agenda • SSI/SSDI Basics • Why Employment? • Myth Busting • SSA Work Incentives • Discussion

8. SSI & SSDI: The Basics

9. Importance of SSI/SSDI for Individuals • SSA disability benefits can provide access to: • Income • Housing • Health insurance • Treatment • Employment supports • Other supportive services • For people with disabilities, SSI/SSDI can be a critical step towards ending homelessness and promoting recovery

10. Working for More than Income • Self-worth and self-confidence • Define a role for the person in the community • Foster a connection to others • Add structure to daily life • Critical step in recovery

11. Common Myths • If you work, your SSI/SSDI application will be automatically denied • Benefits and health insurance end immediately when start working • You can only work part-time while receiving disability • If Social Security knows you are working, they will say you aren’t disabled anymore

12. SOAR as an Agent of Hope • Employment is possible during and after an application for SSI/SSDI • Develop expertise in work incentives offered by SSA and give examples of how work will affect benefits • Identify and collaborate with employment support services

13. While applying for SSI/SSDI • You can work during the application process • SSA looks at the type and amount of work • Earn up to $1,070/month • Strategy: Encourage work from the start • Can help to strengthen the application • Might find that supported employment works better for individual

14. After approval for SSI/SSDI • You can work while receiving SSI/SSDI • Strategy: Connect with work support programs • SSA’s Ticket to Work • www.chooseworkttw.net • Supported Employment Programs

15. After approval for SSI/SSDI • Strategy: Utilize Social Security Work Incentives • Income Exclusion for SSI • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) • Trial Work Period (TWP) • Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) • Subsidy • Impairment-Related Work Expense (IRWE) • Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)

16. What happens to cash benefits? • “Work pays” • SSI • Income Exclusion • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) • SSDI • Trial Work Period • Extended Period of Eligibility

17. Income Exclusion: SSI Only Certain amounts of earnings are excluded when calculating countable income General exclusion: $20 Earned income exclusion: $65 If SSI is sole income, get both

18. Calculating Countable Income: SSI • After Exclusions, SSA Counts $1.00 for every $2.00 earned

19. Trial Work Period (TWP): SSDI Only 9 months of gross earnings (per current SSA rate) Need not be consecutive Are counted within a 5-year period Trigger a review of one’s continued eligibility for SSDI Continue to receive full benefit check during this time

20. Trial Work Period Example: SSDI It only counts as a TWP month when earnings are $770 or more

21. When the Trial Work Period Ends SSA will look at earnings during the Trial Work Period and calculate whether the person was earning SGA Countable earnings can be reduced with a Subsidy and/or IRWES If earning SGA: Benefits cease after a 3 month grace period If not earning SGA: Benefits continue

22. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): SSDI Only Applies only to SSDI Lasts 36 months from the end of the TWP (if applicable) Applies to any month in which earnings fall below SGA Allows beneficiaries to receive SSDI in the months of non-SGA earnings during the EPE

23. Subsidy: SSDI Only Implied Value of extra support received on the job Examples of supports: Extra hours of supervision Job coach or mentor Reduced workload “Provided” by employer Subsidized worker earns the same pay as other workers doing the same job

24. Subsidy Example: SSDI The subsidy is subtracted from earnings when determining SGA at the end of the TWP

25. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs): SSI and SSDI Apply both to SSI and SSDI at different times Are out-of-pocket costs that a person must pay that are (1) related to one’s disability and (2) needed to be able to work Examples: Medication co-pays Special equipment Others?

26. IRWE Example: SSI • 5 prescriptions, $10 co-pay for each • The IRWE is subtracted from countable income

27. IRWE Example: SSDI • 5 prescriptions, $10 co-pay for each • The IRWE is subtracted from earnings when determining SGA at the end of the TWP

28. Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR) • For both SSI and SSDI • Five years after benefits cease due to earnings • Expedited return to payments and medical benefits • A medical review is done • Applicants should request EXR from the local SSA office

29. Health Insurance SSI: Medicaid May continue under Federal Rule 1619B even if SSI cash payments stop Earnings must remain below state threshold SSDI: Medicare Continues for 93 months (7.75 years) after the last month of the Trial Work Period May be purchased after 93 months under certain conditions; premium costs for Part A then apply

30. Overpayments and Return to Work How are people overpaid? SSI: Excess income, excess resources, change in living arrangement SSDI: Earning SGA after TWP Collecting overpayments SSI: 10% from future checks until paid off SSDI: Entire check can be withheld, reductions to $10/month if needed for living expenses Option: Request waiver of overpayment

31. Resources SSA Web site (www.socialsecurity.gov/work) Ticket to Work: Employment and VR Services Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS or P&A) Service Provider Directory for WIPA and P&A:https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) Department of Labor, One-Stop Career Centers http://www.doleta.gov/disability/

32. Things to Remember Track and report all earnings to SSA Don’t risk overpayment When in doubt, talk to your local SSA field office. Use your resources!

33. Let’s Talk About It! Questions and Answers

34. Connect with Us Visit our website: http://soarworks.prainc.com SAMHSA SOAR TA Center345 Delaware AvenueDelmar, New York 12054(518) 439 – 7415 soar@prainc.comwww.facebook.com/soarworks @SOARWorks

35. National Coalition for Homeless VeteransTicket to Work ProgramPathways to SuccessPresented by Donna De Julius and James Wackerbarth

36. Objectives • Describe Who’s Who in the Ticket to Work Program • Identify the role of an Employment Network (EN) • Review the Ticket to Work program • Describe why Ticket to Work is a good fit for Veteran Employment Service agencies • Clarify the outcome-based payment system and braided funding • Review the basic qualifications to become an EN • Provide resources for further information 36

37. Who’s Who 37

38. Service Provider Roles Employment Networks (EN) in the Ticket to Work program: Increase the number of beneficiaries entering workforce Assist the beneficiary in becoming self-sufficient Provide the community with access to newly identified and dedicated workforce 38

39. Ticket Program & Veterans

40. Ticket to Work Eligibility • Age 18 through 64 • Currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or both Participation • Voluntary • Beneficiary advantages • Protection from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) • Opportunity to earn more than disability payments alone 40

41. Why is the Ticket Program a Good Fit for Service Providers that Work with Veterans? Your Organization To provide services to assist in reintegrating Veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force As of 2010- Veterans and their families consist of 35% of the beneficiary population Ticket Program To provide services to assist individuals on disability benefits to enter into meaningful employment in order for them to become more self-sufficient 41

42. Why is the Ticket Program a Good Fit for Homeless Veterans? Veterans ineligible for VA benefits often seek Social Security benefits Protection under the Ticket program Continuing Disability Review protection Benefits protection Potential for more income Ticket program goal is for beneficiaries to become financially independent 42

43. Outcome-based Payment System and Braided Funding • The Ticket program is an outcome based program (Not reimbursed for services) • Payments to service providers are non-discretionary funds and can be used as the organization decides • Braided Funding • Supplement Ticket funding to support other programs • ENs incorporate Ticket into existing programs 43

44. How to Become an EN

45. Social Security Request for Quotation (RFQ) Requirements for ENs • Offeror must have 2 years of experience providing employment services for people with disabilities immediately preceding the date of proposal (or 3 years in a 5 year period) • Offeror must submit with their proposal at least one of the following: • Proof of grant funding (HVRP grant) to provide employment related services • Evidence of contract or vendor agreement with state VR contract or federal agency • Evidence of certification or accreditation from national rehabilitation and employment services accrediting bodies (example: CARF) • A copy of the license or certification as required by State law to provide employment services All qualifications must be current 45

46. Request for Quotation (cont.) • Offeror must provide at a minimum these three core services: • Career counseling • Job placement • Ongoing employment supports • Offeror must provide a business plan that describes the services leading to employment • The full application is available at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/enrfq.html • Submit the RFQ by mailing a hard copy to: Social Security Administration Employment Network Proposals Attn: Employment Network Services Branch P.O. Box 17778 Baltimore, MD 21235-17778 OR • Email to: enservice@ssa.gov 46

47. Resources

48. Contact Information OSM Choose Work for Service Providers www.yourtickettowork.com 1-866-949-3687 Social Security-ORDES Work Site www.socialsecurity.gov/work BASS Choose Work www.chooseworkttw.net 1-866-968-7842 48

49. Contact Information (cont.) Donna De Julius Initiative Lead 703-336-8044 donnamdejulius@maximus.com James Wackerbarth Account Specialist 703-336-8053 JamesWackerbarth@maximus.com 49

50. Additional Resources • To learn more about effective EN practices, visit www.yourticketotwork.com. • Training materials and archived presentations conducted by ENs and state VR Agencies • Archives: https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/effective-practices 50