World Institute on Disability The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a nonprofit research, public policy, and advocacy center dedicated to promoting independence and full societal inclusion of people with disabilities.

WID’s Access to Assets Program Access to Assets (ATA) bridges the asset building and disability communities to improve the economic status of individuals with disabilities. Toll-Free Information Hotline:

Access to Assets Program Services Training and technical assistance to improve access to poverty reduction programs nationwide. Information and referral to individuals with disabilities seeking services. Federal and state policy analysis to improve inclusion in poverty reduction programs.

Disability & Poverty One-third (34%) of adults with disabilities live in households with total income of $15,000 or less compared to only 12% of those without disabilities. 10% of people with disabilities own homes compared to 71% of those without disabilities. 25% of people with disabilities own computers compared to 66% of U.S. adults without disabilities. 58 percent of people with disabilities are asset poor (do not have enough resources to live at the federal poverty level for three months) 54 percent of people with disabilities have no savings accounts, and 69 percent no checking accounts. Sources: 2004 N.O.D./Harris Poll and 2000 U.S. Population Census

IDAs & Public Benefits: The Rules Federally Funded AFIA or TANF Earned Income 200% of the Poverty Level Save for “Big 3” Not affect asset limits Non-Federally Funded State or Private More flexibility on income level, assets allowed & what counts as a contribution Counts towards SSI Asset Limits

Barriers to IDA Inclusion... ‘Earned Income’ restriction Lack of Program & Physical Accessibility Limited Use of Funds Asset Tests for Public Benefits Programs Limited Program Availability

State or Federal… Asset Tests STATE Medicaid & Medicaid Buy-In programs TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Food Stamps (only eligibility) FEDERAL Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Food Stamps (not receiving TANF funds) Housing Programs & SSDI have no asset restriction

Plan for Achieving Self-Support Purpose: Assist SSI recipients in obtaining items, services, or skills for employment needs Requirements: written plan vocational goal reasonable time frame for meeting a vocational goal explanation of the necessary expenses Advantages: Work and receive SSI Save and Build Assets for Employment Goals

PASS Officially, only way to have Non-Federally Funded IDAs not count towards asset limits of SSI Only employment-related goals (not homes) Challenges

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Eligibility: HUD Housing Choice Voucher Recipients Earned Income Requirements: Financial Literacy Classes 5 year FSS contract Seek and maintain employment Become independent of welfare Advantages: Money from voucher placed in escrow account No limitations on usage of money

Earned Income Tax Credit No ChildrenOne ChildTwo + Children Single Earn less than $12,120 Maximum Credit $412 Earn less than $32,001 Maximum Credit $2,747 Earn less than $36,348 Maximum Credit $4,536 Married Earn less than $14,120 Maximum Credit $412 Earn less than $34,001 Maximum Credit $2,747 Earned less than $38,348 Maximum Credit $4,536

Special Needs Trusts A SNT makes it possible to appoint a trustee to maintain assets and retain or qualify for public assistance benefits. 3 Types: Family-Type Special Needs Trusts Court Ordered Special Needs Trust Pooled Special Needs Trust

Medicaid Buy-In Programs Authorized by Ticket To Work & Work Incentives Act (TTWWIA) of 1999 As of June 2006, 33 states operate Buy-Ins- total enrollment over 76,000 Allows individuals with disabilities to “buy- in” to the Medicaid system Operated by the State, so rules & eligibility vary

Work Incentives 1619 (b) -Maintain Medicaid eligibility after earnings exceed SSI allowable limits IRWEs -Documented expenses related to impairment & necessary for employment Ticket to Work -No Continuing Disability Review (CDR) & Employment Services (Individual Work Plan)

Peter

CSP-NJ Consumer/Employee Homeowner S8 Homeownership Voucher, IDA, family contribution "It's hard when you don't have access to things such as homeownership, but it makes you feel good when you do and you can participate in society without having to be like society, you can just be yourself."

Jacob

Cook Inlet Tribal Council- Anchorage, AK Received job training, substance abuse counseling, credit repair, subsidized 1st job, helped him qualify for SSDI Enrolled in CITC’s IDA program and saving towards homeownership

Ryan SSI-$623 SSDI- $407 Earnings from microenterprise-$275 S8 Voucher- $511 Total “Income”: $1,816 Rent- $669 Utilities/Cable- $205 Food- $215 Clothing- $35 Cleaning- $54 Transportation- $50 Fun- $100 Total Expenses: $1,328

Ryan’s IDA Income: $1,816- Expenses: $1,328= $488 Enrolled in an AFIA IDA to buy a vehicle to expand his vending machine business Receives a 2:1 match Personal Contribution- $275 (total earned) Match- $550 In 24 months, TOTAL SAVINGS: $12,600

Ryan’s PASS Plan In order to receive the maximum SSI amount and maintain his SSDI amount, Ryan writes a PASS plan His goal is to capitalize his business Saves $213 of SSDI ($488 - $275=$213) In 24 months, $5,112 saved in his PASS

Ryan TOTAL SAVINGS IN 24 MONTHS: $17,712

Next Steps Find existing IDA programs in your states, develop relationships & connect them to direct service providers (especially those that provide case management services) Use Mental Health Block Grant funds to support program goals- host meetings, educational & training opportunities to learn about asset building, advocate for inclusion, etc. Look into using Transformation grant funds to support existing programs & start new IDAs (Federally funded AFIA IDAs- match is restricted to non-federal sources) Policy change- state asset policy, IDA funding, public benefits program asset limit reforms

WID’s Access to Assets EQUITY NEWSLETTER EQUITY disseminates education and advice about disability issues to the Asset Building Community while simultaneously offering information about Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and other asset building strategies to the Disability Community. To subscribe

EQUITY: Disability and Asset Building Communities Working Together Recent EQUITY topics:  Youth with Disabilities  Making Tax Time Pay  Latinos with Disabilities  Entrepreneurs with Disabilities  Intersection Between Benefits Programs and Asset Building

WID Access to Assets PUBLICATIONS Access to Assets regularly publishes information to educate the public about issues facing people with disabilities who live in poverty. Publications are available through the WID website:

WID Access to Assets Program Contacts Kathy Martinez, Executive Director: Megan O’Neil, Access to Assets Project Manager: Toll-Free Information Hotline: