Busting the Myths About Disability Benefits and Work Presented by Gene Rada and Paula Fitch The Work Incentives Network

Why work? Benefits programs are only meant to provide for the basic necessities of living: food, shelter and medical care Receiving public benefits only often means poverty SSI check ($733/2015) is 25% below the federal poverty level Average SSDI check ($1165/2015) is only 18% above federal poverty level Employment is a way out of poverty and allows people to THRIVE not just SURVIVE Other benefits to employment Social connection Sense of purpose Better mental and physical health Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Bust the Myths Combination of public benefits create a basic safety net Each benefit has it’s own set of work rules Complexity of the rules create MYTHS! Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Know the Facts Benefit programs have work rules that support working- Work Incentives Don’t let the complexity and myths be a barrier to employment Know and Share the FACTS Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

The Basics: SSDI Payment and Medicare SSDI – Cash Benefit: Meet SSA definition of disability, and Be “insured” or draw off “insured” worker who is disabled, retired, deceased Check amount based on work history No asset test SSDI – Health Insurance: Medicare (after 24 month waiting period) SGA is a consideration, but only sometimes SGA is $1090 per month for 2015 Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

SGA Countable Income Summary The Basic SGA Test $ Gross Wages (earned in a month) (-) $ Sick/Vacation/Holiday pay (-) $ IRWE (-) $ Subsidy/Special Conditions (-) $ Unincurred Business Expenses/Unpaid Help (=) $ Countable Earnings SSA uses Countable Earnings to determine if earnings are above or below SGA Income counted when it is EARNED Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

THE BASICS: SSI AND MEDICAID SSI – Cash Benefit: Meet SSA definition of disability; Little to no assets (less than $2,000-individual); Little to no income (countable income less than $733individual/2015); Check amount-maximum $733 (individual/2015), lower if other income SSI – Health Insurance: Medicaid (OHP+) SGA is NOT a factor AFTER SSI eligibility is obtained Income is counted when received Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #1: Benefit Program Rules Determine How Much I can Earn FACT #1: Combining Several Work Incentives can Support you in Reaching your Work and Financial Goals! What are the beneficiaries life goals? Financial goals? Determine your work goal (type, amount, wage) Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #2: I will lose my SSDI if I work FACT #2: Work Incentives exist that allow you to maintain the SSDI check or eligibility status when you work: Trial Work Period Extended Period of Eligibility Impairment Related Work Expenses, Subsidy, Unsuccessful Work Attempts Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #3: I’ll lose my Medicare if I work FACT #3: There are 2 Work Incentives that allow you to maintain Medicare indefinitely! Extended Period of Medicare Coverage Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #4: I get SSI and have heard I will have less money when I work FACT #4: Work Incentives exist to make sure you financially get ahead when you work Basic deductions: General Income Exclusion, Earned Income Exclusion, One-Half Disregard Additional deductions: Student Earned Income Exclusion, Impairment Related Work Expenses, Blind Work Expenses Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #5: I have to keep a $1 of SSI or I’ll lose my Medicaid (OHP+) FACT #5: If EARNINGS cause SSI to drop to $0, you can KEEP MEDICAID! 1619b- earn at least $33,098/year (2015) and keep Medicaid Employed Persons with Disabilities- earn at least $59,870/year and keep Medicaid (2015 Estimate) Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #6: There are not any resources to help me reach my work goal of self-sufficiency FACT #6: There are work incentives that match funds you set aside to pay for work expenses Plan for Achieving Self Support www.passonline.org Individual Development Account www.oregonidainitiative.org/ Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #7: If I work I’ll end up with an overpayment FACT #7: There are strategies to prevent overpayments Report regularly; Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported; and Create a folder to save paystubs and SSA letters Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #8: The SGA dollar amount limits the amount I can work FACT #8: Many work incentives exists to enable an individual to earn far more than the SGA dollar amount 1619a eliminates SGA as a consideration for SSI beneficiaries TWP, IRWES, Subsidies, Sick Pay, Vacation Pay all act as “deductions” and reduce the countable income of SSDI beneficiaries Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Benefits Planning Programs in Oregon The Work Incentives Network To Refer: Referrals typically happen through local VR branch Self referrals are OK, but must be a participant of VR services Questions about program: Paula Fitch at paula.fitch@state.or.us/503-947-5469 Gene Rada at eugene.e.rada@state.or.us/503-945-6264 Plan for Work (Disability Rights Oregon) Call 1-800-452-1694, x227 or 1-503-243-2081, x227 Email: pfw@DROregon.org Arlene Jones: ajones@DROregon.org Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Other Resources The Redbook Legal Aid Services of Oregon http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html Legal Aid Services of Oregon www.lawhelp.org Public Benefits Hotline: 800-520-5292 Plan to Achieve Self Support http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-plans-self-support.htm PASS Cadre (Northwest): 866-235-8109 Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program