CAL STAT Regional Institute Whittier Union and Irvine Unified School Districts Third Annual Transition Summit

Failure to focus on Social Security benefits during transition is just not a missed opportunity, but may also cause harm when students and family members are not educated about or prepared for the effect of earnings on cash benefits and medical insurance* *National Council on Disability October 28, 2008

Know the Benefit

Supplemental Security Income Eligibility Criteria  Needs Based (limited income)  Resource Limit $2000 (minimal savings)  SSA defined Disability  Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits  Any age to apply  US citizen or meet special requirements for non- citizens (e.g. seeking asylum)  Resource Deeming (size of benefit depends on parents’ or spouse’s income) 5

…….“the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s): that can be expected to result in death, or that has lasted or that Social Security expects to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. Social Security Disability Definition

If you are 18 and NOT receiving benefits You may apply for SSI under the adult criteria Parental deeming does not affect you when you apply for SSI as an adult (hint) now may be the time to PAY parents your “fair share” of living expenses to qualify for a higher benefit. SSA form # 8006-F-4 7

8 Rent/MortgageProperty Insurance Food (only food)Real property Taxes GasGarbage removal electricitywater Fair Share

Turning 18 Victor turned 18 and applied for benefits for the first time. Victor did not qualify for “Fair share”….. Own household amount = $ Household of another amount = $ VTR =$232.66

SGA for 2012 Substantial Gainful Activity Level 2012 Non- blind $1010 Blind $1690

11

Student Earned Income Exclusion SEIE Student Earned Income Exclusion allows students up to age 22 who are regularly attending school to earn $1700 per month without affecting their benefit,up to a limit of $6,840 annually. A person is considered regularly attending school if they attend classes:  College for at least 8 hours a week  Grades 7-12 at least 12 hours a week  Training course to prepare for employment 12 hours a week,15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice.

SEIE - Student Earned Income Exclusion To apply for the SEIE: Send letter on school letterhead to SSA: Name of student, Social Security number, The amount of time that you are in school. Including dates that you started school and if you are attending summer school. Must be done every year ( up to age 22)

Example of SEIE letter to SSA School Of Hard Knocks 34 Main Street Date To whom it may concern: This is to verify that Teri No Name ( SSA# ) is enrolled in School of Hard Knocks Transition Program. Teri attends the program 5 days a week from 8:45-2:30 since September 2, I an sending this letter to request that she be given the Student Earned Income Exclusion. (Page 35 in the 2011 SSA REDBOOK) If you have any additional questions, please call me at (562) phone number. Thank you Responsible School Personnel

SEIE Letter Have parents take the letter to SSA office. 1. Be sure that SSA date stamps the letter 2. and ask for a stamped copy to 3. keep the copy for your files.  Notify SSA when you stop working or you are NO longer eligible for the SEIE exclusion to avoid an over payment.

Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) An IRWE is the cost of services or products that are essential for work and are disability related  These costs reduce earned income resulting in a larger SSI benefit  Conditions ◦ You paid the cost and are not reimbursed by any other agency ◦ The cost is reasonable ◦ You paid for the expense in a month that you are working

Job Coach Name Job Coach Address Job Coach Phone Number IRWE INVOICE (Impairment Related Work Expense) Job coaching services for:________________________________________ Date of service(s): ______________________________________________ Number of Hours: ______Cost per Hour: __________ Total: ____________ Mileage: ________________ Total: ________________ TOTAL DUE: _______________ Payment due upon receipt of invoice, please remember to submit a copy to SSA when reporting wages. _________________________________ _________________________ Job Coach SignatureDate

Impairment Related Work Expenses  Transportation Job Coach

Plan for Achieving Self Sufficiency (PASS) A plan to achieve self sufficiency that allows you to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal. It must be Designed especially for you in writing (SSA-545-BK) Have a specific work goal that you are capable of performing Have a specific timeframe Show what money you will use to reach your goal (must have income from source other than JUST SSI) Show how you will keep your money identifiable from other funds Be approved by SSA Be reviewed by SSA periodically to assure your plan is helping you achieve progress You have to pay the money back to SSA if you do not finish the PASS as planned.

Medi-Cal – 1619B You need to meet all the eligibility rules MediCal coverage can continue if your earnings alone or in combination with your other income becomes too high for an SSI cash payment until you reach the state threshold amount of $ $37,743 for beneficiaries who are blind. ( 2012 amount) You must be : still be disabled need MediCal to work

Reporting Responsibilities You must report your wages MONTHLY by the 10 th of the next month. Be sure to include: 1. name and 2. complete Social Security number 3. Work incentive used ( SEIE, IRWE,..)

Social Security Wage Reporting Form ( Form that you send to SSA with your pay stubs ) Name____________SS#_________________ Date of Check______Today’s Date_________ Benefit type: SSI SSDI Survivors Attention: ( name of your claim’s representative) Work Incentive: SEIE PASS  IRWE ____________ Please send me a receipt for this pay stub. Thank you

How to Avoid Overpayments Report wages/income and resources monthly Report any changes in living situation or employment status Keep good records and keep copies of everything you give to SSA Be prepared for periodic reviews 23

Ticket-to-Work 24

Thank you…….. 25 Teri Chang, CWIC Whittier Union High School District 9401 S. Painter Ave. Whittier, CA ext 1236 Sheri Hightower, CWIC Capistrano Unified School District Camino Real San Juan Capistrano, CA ext. 3

26 If you would like to receive more training at no cost to you on: Social Security Benefits Planning TAY Mental Illness System/Program Assessment Autism Spectrum Disorder Employment Preparation Call Richard L. Rosenberg 562/ ext 1250 or Your local Department of Rehabilitation