SSA Work Incentives for Transition Age Students

1. SSA Work Incentives for Transition Age Students …To assist individuals by demonstrating the positive impact of work and SSA benefits

2. SSA Work Incentives for Transition Age Students ND Center for Persons with Disabilities Strategic Planning Coordinator Lisa Johnson This presentation was developed under the North Dakota Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Award Number: 1QACMS300054/03; CFDA No. 93.768 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services received by the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities.  However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities.

3. Topics Covered Today • Basic Terminology • Age 18 Re-determination • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Student Earned Income Exclusion • PASS Plan • The Role of School Personnel

4. Age 18 Re-determination • Adult Criteria for Disability • Section 301 for VR services • Significance of the IEP • Role of school personnel

5. Evaluating Functional Capacity: Child • Acquiring and using information • Attending and completing tasks • Interacting and relating with others • Moving about and manipulating objects • Caring for yourself • Health and physical well being

6. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Income based program • Check varies as monthly income varies • Any income a person receives will impact SSI payment - earned or unearned • Maximum benefit in ND - $ 637 per month

7. Full SSI Check $637 Decreased SSI Check Increased SSI Check Earned/ Unearned Income Earned/ Unearned Income Impact of Work on SSI Payment

8. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • SSI payment calculations • Begin with monthly income • Less $20 General Income Exclusion (GIE) • Less $65 Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) • Divide by 2

9. An Example: Calculating SSI Payment • Example - John obtains a part time job and earns $500 in the month. His monthly SSI payment would be calculated by: 500 - 20 (GIE) = 480 - 65 (EIE) = 415 415 divided by 2 = 207.50 637 - 207.50 = 429.50 (Monthly SSI payment)

10. A Comparison: Non-work vs. Employment

11. A Quick Comparison • Working : $500 + 429.50 (SSI) = $929.50 • Not working (SSI only): $637.00 • Benefits of working: • More useable income • Continued Medicaid coverage • Community participation

12. SSA Work Incentives • Definition of “countable income” • Definition of an Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)

13. Comparison of Employment Alternatives

14. Student Earned Income Exclusion • Under age 22 • Regularly attend school • College for 8 hours per week (8 credits) • Grades 7 – 12 for 12 hours per week • Can deduct up to $1,500 per month • Maximum of $6,240 per year

15. Student Earned Income Expense • Example – Student • Job during school, Earns $300 per month • SSI payment is not affected • Entitled to full SSI check of $637 • Plus, earnings of $300 from the part time job • Gain valuable work experience • Develop soft skills related to the job

16. Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) • Set aside income (other than SSI) and/or resources to reach a specific work goal • Plan must be written and list each step to reach established goals (business plan) • Must be approved by SSA (including changes) • Monitored for progress

17. SELF EMPLOYMENT • Individualized • Flexible hours/tasks • Strength specific • NESE vs. Gross • Unlimited earning potential

18. Western North Dakota Contact Terry Peterson Rehab Services, Inc. 112 2nd Ave. SW Minot, ND 58701 Phone: 701.839.4240 or 800.258.8132 Fax: 701.838.2621 Email: rsi5@srt.com

19. Eastern North Dakota Contact Mark Mehlhoff Rehab Services, Inc. 3350 35th Ave. South Fargo, ND 58104 Phone: 701.478.9122 or 866.912.9122 Fax: 701.478.9123 Email: ndbenefits@hotmail.com

20. Thank You!