Benefit Programs Which Can Help You Transition to Employment Concurrent Session 2C Advancing Inclusion: The Future of State Government for Persons with Disabilities June 30, 2010

Ticket to Work Presented by: Abygail Medina Chief, Social Security Programs, Department of Rehabilitation

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA) Purpose:  Provide health care and employment services to individuals with disabilities  Encourage States to enable beneficiaries to purchase Medicaid coverage  Provide option of maintaining Medicare coverage while working  Establish the Ticket to Work and Self- Sufficiency Program (Ticket to Work Program)

Ticket to Work (TTW) Program General Goal: “To enhance the range of choices available to Social Security disability and SSI beneficiaries when they are seeking employment services to obtain, regain or maintain self- supporting employment.”

SSA’s Message “We’re Listening. We’re Learning. We’re Responding. We’ve changed our programs and how we do business to more effectively provide opportunities for people with disabilities who want to work.” Sue Suter, Associate Commissioner Social Security Administration Office of Employment Support Programs, Baltimore, MD

Key Players of TTW o Social Security Administration (SSA) o MAXIMUS o CESSI o Beneficiaries o Employment Networks (EN) o State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Benefits to Beneficiaries  Offers choice of service providers for beneficiaries who do not want VR services.  Offers choice for beneficiaries to receive services from VR and EN sequentially.  Provides ongoing support services to maintain work efforts  Protection from medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)

The California Working Disabled Program and AB 1269 Presented by: Karla Bell Program Manager, California Health Incentives Improvement Project San Diego State University Interwork Institute

Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program  Provides choice and opportunity to Californians with disabilities who would otherwise be ineligible for No-Share-of-Cost, full scope Medi- Cal coverage due to earned income and work activity

Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program  Individuals can earn up to $55,188 ($73,884 for a couple) gross per year and still qualify for Medi-Cal  Affordable premiums: $20 - $250 (Single Person) $30 - $375 (Couples)  You can have an IRS approved retirement account (IRA, 401K, 403B)  Disability income not included in countable income when determining eligibility and premium amount

Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program - Eligibility To qualify, individuals must:  Meet Social Security’s medical definition of disability  Meet Medi-Cal program eligibility requirements  Be employed full-time or part-time, including self employment  Countable earnings below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level For individuals: $2257/month For couples: $3036/month

250% Working Disabled Program Benefits  The ability to work and maintain affordable health coverage  No large shares of cost (Medi-Cal or IHSS)  Can build retirement accounts  Maintain In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) at home and in the workplace  Medi-Cal’s Health Insurance Premium Payment program (Medi-Cal/HIPP)  Automatically qualify for Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS)  Medi-Cal pays Medicare Part B premium  Access IHSS services (not covered by Medicare or other health insurance)

250% Working Disabled Program Future Changes  Assembly Bill 1269 was signed into law by our Governor on 10/11/09  AB 1269 policy improvements: Eliminate Age 65 restriction Eliminating the asset limit when money is placed in a separate account Change premium structure Grace period of 26 weeks if employment ends

Resources Disability Benefits Talent Knows No Limits List of 250% WDP County Coordinators (for assistance with enrollment)

Resources For more information on outreach and training activities or questions, contact Karla Bell at , To order brochures or promotional materials, contact Nicholas Moore at ,  Medi-Cal Working Disabled Brochure  I Can Work Brochure

California’s Disability Benefits 101 On-line Tools and Information Services Presented by: Bryon MacDonald CWII Program Director, California Work Incentives Initiative, World Institute on Disability