SOCIAL SECURITY Work Incentives

SSI Supplemental Security Income DisabilitySSDI Social Security Disability 1.Based on Need 2.Must have limited income ($694) & limited resources ($2000) 3.Maximum payment is $674 a month 4.Medicaid 5.Paid on the 1 st day of the month 1.Based on Work 2.Must be Insured (FICA based on your earnings (or those of your spouse or parents) $1120=1 Qtr 3.Payment amount based on earnings 4.Medicare after 24 months 5.Paid on the 3 rd of the month; or the 2 nd, 3 rd, or 4 th Wednesday

Applying for Disability Applying for Disability

To apply for ‘SSI’ call for an appointment.

Statutory Blindness  Central Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.  Limitation in the Field of vision in the better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.  Central Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.  Limitation in the Field of vision in the better eye, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

Letter options (effective 4/15/10)  Standard print notice by first class or certified mail;  Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notice within five business days of the date of the notice;  Standard print notice and Braille by first class mail; or  Standard print notice and a compact disc (CD) in Microsoft Word format by first class mail.  Standard print notice by first class or certified mail;  Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notice within five business days of the date of the notice;  Standard print notice and Braille by first class mail; or  Standard print notice and a compact disc (CD) in Microsoft Word format by first class mail.

SSDI Work Incentives

What happens if I go to work? A 9-month Trial Work Period allows you to work and receive benefits no matter how high your monthly earnings may be. These months do not have to be consecutive, but do have to fall in a 5 year (60 month) period.

What happens if I continue to work after I complete my 9 month Trial Work Period? −During the 3 years (36 months) following your Trial Work Period - benefits are paid for any month your earnings are ‘not’ substantial. −In 2011 gross earnings of more than $1000 ($1640 if you are blind) are considered substantial. −At the end of the 3 year (36 month) period there is an additional 5 years during which benefits can be reinstated if work stops and there is no medical improvement. (Expedited Reinstatement) −During the 3 years (36 months) following your Trial Work Period - benefits are paid for any month your earnings are ‘not’ substantial. −In 2011 gross earnings of more than $1000 ($1640 if you are blind) are considered substantial. −At the end of the 3 year (36 month) period there is an additional 5 years during which benefits can be reinstated if work stops and there is no medical improvement. (Expedited Reinstatement)

What happens to Medicare if SSDI benefits stop?  Continues for at least 93 months (apx 7 ½ years) after the 9 month Trial Work Period  After the 93 month period you may be able to purchase Medicare coverage  You may be eligible for Medicaid Buy-In from your State  Continues for at least 93 months (apx 7 ½ years) after the 9 month Trial Work Period  After the 93 month period you may be able to purchase Medicare coverage  You may be eligible for Medicaid Buy-In from your State

Additional SSDI Work Incentives  Subsidy −We only count the value of a beneficiary’s work. For example, if an SSDI beneficiary is paid $10 an hour but is only able to perform half the duties someone in his position usually performs, we will only charge them with $5 per hour.  IRWE −During the extended period of eligibility, we deduct certain impairment related costs from countable earnings.  Averaging −During the extended period of eligibility we can average earnings over a period of time if it is more advantageous.  Subsidy −We only count the value of a beneficiary’s work. For example, if an SSDI beneficiary is paid $10 an hour but is only able to perform half the duties someone in his position usually performs, we will only charge them with $5 per hour.  IRWE −During the extended period of eligibility, we deduct certain impairment related costs from countable earnings.  Averaging −During the extended period of eligibility we can average earnings over a period of time if it is more advantageous.

SSI Work Incentives

How earnings affect SSI payments  SSA counts less than half of your earned income For example:  $885 in wages  $400 counts against SSI  $1,159 total income (persons with ONLY SSI & income from wages)  Certain impairment related work expenses can also be deducted from your gross wages.  SSA counts less than half of your earned income For example:  $885 in wages  $400 counts against SSI  $1,159 total income (persons with ONLY SSI & income from wages)  Certain impairment related work expenses can also be deducted from your gross wages.

Blind Work Expenses for SSI claimants Expenses necessary for an individual to work are deducted from countable earnings.  Examples: Service Dog Transportation to and from work Taxes (Federal, state, local and FICA) Attendant Care Meals during work hours Medication Union fees Uniforms Expenses necessary for an individual to work are deducted from countable earnings.  Examples: Service Dog Transportation to and from work Taxes (Federal, state, local and FICA) Attendant Care Meals during work hours Medication Union fees Uniforms

What happens if my earnings are so high that my SSI stops  Benefits can start again if you stop working or your earnings decrease  If your earnings are so high that your SSI payments stop: ’ threshold −Medicaid continues until you earn above your States’ threshold during the calendar year −People with high medical costs can earn even more

Other SSI Work Incentives IRWE (Impairment Related Work Expenses) Expenses related to disability necessary for individual to work. See included chart. Student Earned Income Exclusion For $1640/month, but no more than $6600 for the year. PASS (Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency) Allows us to exclude additional income and resources if used towards the achievement of a specific vocational goal. PESS (Property Essential for Self Support) We exclude resources necessary for self employment.

Ticket to Work

What is a Ticket to Work? A ticket can be used to get free employment services

TICKET TO WORK Employment Networks provide beneficiaries with more choices when it comes to vocational rehabilitation, job preparation, and job placement services For the Ticket Holder: No Medical review while ticket is “In Use” Free employment support services

MEDICAID BUY-IN  Must meet the disability requirements of the Social Security Administration  Be employed or self employed, part or full time  For more information: Contact your State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or Contact your WIPA  Must meet the disability requirements of the Social Security Administration  Be employed or self employed, part or full time  For more information: Contact your State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or Contact your WIPA

37 STATES Offer Medicaid Buy-in Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maine MarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaNebraskaNevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota OhioOregonPennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota TexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashington West Virginia WisconsinWyoming

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)  Information about how your benefits are affected by working  Benefits Analysis- A more personalized explanation about how benefits are affected by a particular vocational goal  Help to explore employment options and long term supports (Federal, State & local employment programs and incentives)  Information about how your benefits are affected by working  Benefits Analysis- A more personalized explanation about how benefits are affected by a particular vocational goal  Help to explore employment options and long term supports (Federal, State & local employment programs and incentives)