Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project OWIPA Funded by the Social Security Administration 1 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Information provided on: SSI/SSDI benefits Federal/State/Local programs Medicaid/Medicare Social Security Work Incentives Ticket to Work 2 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Assistance with: Current benefit situation Resolving benefit issues Exploring employment options Identifying local service providers Identifying community resources 3 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Social Security Benefits for Children Children may receive various types of benefits from Social Security. These benefits are not necessarily based on the child’s disability. For example, a child who is under age 18 (19 if still in high school) may receive benefit payments from Social Security simply because he or she is a dependent of a parent who is disabled or deceased. These benefits are paid on the parent’s work record. We will not be discussing this type of benefits today. 4 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Types of Disability Benefits High School Students May Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Title XV1 benefits SSI is based on need If under age 18, child must be medically disabled by SSA’s standards, and both child’s and family’s income and resources must be below certain limits. Once child is 18, income of parents is no longer considered, but child must meet medical requirements for adults with disabilities. SSI benefit amount may differ depending on person’s living arrangement. Federal maximum is $721 in Individuals receiving SSI will need to apply for Medicaid at local DHS office. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Title II benefits SSDI is a disability insurance program If child is born disabled or becomes disabled before age 22, and has a parent who is deceased, disabled, or retired, he or she may receive Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) based on work record of parent. Must be age 18 or older to receive CDB. If student has worked, he/she may receive SSDI benefits based on his/her own work history and earnings. After 2 years of entitlement to SSDI, you get Medicare Health insurance benefits. Note that some people may receive both SSI and SSDI,SSI and CDB, or CDB and SSDI. 5 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

SSI Resource Limits $2,000 single/$3,000 couple Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for 2014 is $721 Always remember to report earnings to SSA!!! 6 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

SSI Benefits and Work: Most people receive a smaller SSI payment when they begin to work. Some, whose earnings are high, may not receive an SSI cash payment at all. However, since SSI counts less than half of a person’s gross monthly wages when they are calculating a person’s SSI benefits, nearly everyone has more money when they work than they would have if they remained on SSI benefits alone! Employment can provide the opportunity for individuals to purchase a home, a vehicle, and improvement that person and their family’s overall standard of living now and in their future. Employment can also provide social interaction, improvement in job skills and a better self-esteem. 7 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

SSI Work Incentives Income Exclusions IRWE Plan to Achieving Self-Sufficiency (PASS) Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) 1619(b) Extended Medicaid Coverage 8 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) Under 22 years old Regularly attend school Exclude $1,750 per month and up to $7,060 per year 9 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Eligibility criteria for SEIE Under the age of 22 Regularly attending school, college or training to prepare for a paying job Employed/working 10 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Regularly Attending School In a college or university for at least 8 hours per week In grades 7 through 12 for at least 12 hours per week In a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours per week(15 hours a week if course has shop practice/lab) For less time than indicated above for reasons beyond the student’s control(such as illness or unavailable transportation.) Person is homebound because of a disability he may be a student when he or she studies a course or courses given by a school, college, university or government agency and has a home visitor or tutor from school who directs the study or training. 11 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Alfonzo and the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) Alfonzo is 20 years old, and is attending college. He has a summer internship, and will earn $2, per month for the summer. Alfonzo worked part-time earlier in the year, making $ per month, and will return to that job on September 1. Alfonzo has no unearned income. 12 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project Chart with Alfonzo’s Earnings YearJan.FebMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec

Chart with Alfonzo’s Earnings YearJan. Feb.MarchAprilMayJuneJulyAug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec SEIE Used Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

June 2014 StepCalculations Unearned Income 0 General Income Exclusion (GIE) $20- 0 Countable Unearned Income= 0 Gross Earned Income$2,000 Student Earned Income Exclusion-1,750 Remainder 250 GIE (if not used above) $ Remainder 230 Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) $ Remainder 165 Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) (16% of gross wages or actual amount if higher) -0-0 Remainder 165 Divide by Blind Work Expenses (BWE) ( 25% of gross wages or actual amount if higher) -0-0 Total Countable Earned Income= FBR 2014 $721 Total Countable Unearned Income 0 Total Countable Earned Income PASS Deduction -0-0 Total Countable Income Adjusted FBR 2014 SSI benefit less total Countable income = Total monthly income for June 2014 = $2, Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Sept StepCalculations Unearned Income 0 General Income Exclusion (GIE) $20- 0 Countable Unearned Income= 0 Gross Earned Income$600 Student Earned Income Exclusion- 0 Remainder 600 GIE (if not used above) $ Remainder 580 Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) $ Remainder 515 Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) (16% of gross wages or actual amount if higher) -0-0 Remainder 515 Divide by Blind Work Expenses (BWE) ( 25% of gross wages or actual amount if higher) -0-0 Total Countable Earned Income= FBR 2014 $721 Total Countable Unearned Income 0 Total Countable Earned Income PASS Deduction -0-0 Total Countable Income Adjusted FBR 2014 SSI benefit less total Countable income = Total monthly income for Sept = $1, Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Impairment Related Work Expenses Out-of-pocket costs that pertain to disability and work Example--Medication or transportation Lowers countable income Increases cash payment Must be documented and approved 16 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

June 2014 StepCalculations Unearned Income 0 General Income Exclusion (GIE) $20- 0 Countable Unearned Income= 0 Gross Earned Income$2,000 Student Earned Income Exclusion-1,750 Remainder 250 GIE (if not used above) $ Remainder 230 Earned Income Exclusion (EIE) $ Remainder 165 Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)- 50 Remainder 115 Divide by Blind Work Expenses (BWE) ( 25% of gross wages or actual amount if higher) -0-0 Total Countable Earned Income= FBR 2014 $721 Total Countable Unearned Income 0 Total Countable Earned Income PASS Deduction -0-0 Total Countable Income Adjusted FBR 2014 SSI benefit less total Countable income = Total monthly income = $2, Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Plan for Achieving Self-Sufficiency (PASS) Specific vocational goal Connection between vocational goal and increased earnings Helps to acquire services and items Must be disciplined Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project 18

1619(b) Extended Medicaid Coverage Continued Medicaid coverage Ineligible for SSI cash payments from earnings (break even point - $1,527/month) Must meet eligibility criteria Disabled Have used or will use Medicaid Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project 19

1619 (b) cont. Protects future months if income falls below SSI limits Must report earnings to SSA Oklahoma Threshold for $30,252 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project 20

SOCIAL SECURITY Ticket to Work 21 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

What is the Ticket to Work Program? The Ticket to Work program provide free employment services to SSA beneficiaries — (Voice) (TTY) Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Employment supports Skills testing Interest testing Resume preparation Interviewing skills training Job search & placement services 23 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Who will take my Ticket? Employment Networks: Under contract with Social Security 24 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Why use your Ticket? No medical review while ticket is in use The program is voluntary You are in charge! Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project

Statewide or or Toll Free– For Telecommunications Relay Services Dial 711 then ask operator to dial Website: 26 Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project