1. WIPA 101 for Transition-Aged Youth Heather Eisel Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Project
This document is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication.
This document was published at U.S. taxpayer expense.

2. Objectives
Identify and dispel common myths about working and Social Security disability benefits.
Compare and contrast disability benefits transition-aged youth may receive.
Explain the purpose of Social Security work incentives and list the ones most beneficial for transition-aged youth.
Calculate Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
Discuss ideas for transition planning.

3. Why do Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Worry about Working?
Fear of losing healthcare benefits
Concern that loss of monthly cash benefits will lead to less overall monthly income
Concern about common myths they’ve heard or been told

4. Common Myths
Social Security disability beneficiaries cannot work. They are terminated immediately upon hire and lose all benefits.
TRUTH: Paid employment and Social Security disability benefits don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

5. Common Myths Beneficiaries cannot have a savings account or assets.
TRUTH: Resources are available to help with financial stability and independence.

6. Common Myths Beneficiaries will lose healthcare if they work.
TRUTH: It’s possible to work (even full-time) and keep Medicaid and/or Medicare in almost every case.

7. Common Myths
If transition-aged youth are working at the time of SSI age 18 redetermination, they will not be approved.
TRUTH: The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) step of the sequential evaluation process does not apply to SSI age 18 disability redeterminations.
Youth may earn more than the current SGA guideline and still be found eligible for SSI under the adult rules during the age-18 redetermination, as long as they meet the disability standard and all other SSI eligibility rules.

8. Spread the Word!
It’s possible to work and come out ahead financially, even if benefits are reduced or ceased.
It’s possible to get benefits back again if lost due to employment.

9. What is WIPA? Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
National program designed and funded by the Social Security Administration to promote employment outcomes and increase financial stability and independence
WIPA projects in all 50 states
OWIPA serves the entire state of Oklahoma

10. Work Incentives Planning & Assistance
Individualized benefits verification & analysis
Accessing work incentives
Resolving benefits issues
Exploring employment options
Identifying local service providers
Accessing community resources
Follow-up services

11. Common Myths about WIPA
Intended to force beneficiaries off disability benefits.
Protects beneficiaries from ever losing benefits due to work.
Helps beneficiaries maximize benefits.
Performs all wage reporting and benefits management for beneficiaries.
Representative payee service.

12. Who is Eligible for WIPA Services?
Disabled (or blind) per Social Security’s definition;
Already receiving Social Security benefits based on disability or blindness (SSI or a title II disability benefit such as SSDI, CDB or DWB); and
At least age 14, but not yet full retirement age.

13. Social Security Disability Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

14. Title II: SSDI/CDB In order to qualify, individuals:
Must be determined medically disabled by Social Security standards.
Are not working or working less than Substantial Gainful Activity- SGA- ($1,180/month in 2018).
Have earned sufficient “credits” by paying into the system yourself, have a deceased, retired or disabled parent who paid in on your behalf (CDB), or be eligible for Disabled Widow(er)s Benefits (DWB).
No resource limit
Amount of monthly cash benefit is based upon prior earnings

15. SSI In order to qualify, individuals:
Must be determined medically disabled by Social Security standards
Have a lack of sufficient work history
Have limited resources & income:
Resource guidelines: $2,000 single/$3,000 couple
Federal benefit Rate (FBR) for 2018:
$750/month single person
$500/month VTR (value of 1/3 reduction
$1,125/month couples

16. Work Incentives
Tools to Help Beneficiaries

17. SSDI/CDB
Trial Work Period (TWP): beneficiaries receive 9 months to “get their feet wet” with no impact on benefits TWP amount is $850/month.
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): 36 months after TWP.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): 2018 SGA level is $1,180/month.
Blind Substantial Gainful Activity: 2018 level is $1,970/month.
Extended Period of Medicare Coverage (EPMC): beneficiaries maintain Medicare eligibility for up to 93 months from end of TWP; Medicare buy-in options if EPMC ends.

18. SSDI/CDB
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): beneficiaries have up to 5 years from date of termination to apply for EXR; receive payments while SSA makes a determination.
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE): out-of-pocket expenses can reduce countable earnings if cleared by SSA.
Subsidy and Special Conditions: support provided by employer, or on the job assistance (VR or job coach) that may result in your receiving more pay than the actual value of the services you perform.

19. SSI
IRWE or Blind Work Expenses (BWE): Must be cleared approved by SSA. Lowers countable income and increases cash payment. BWE rules are less stringent than IRWE.
Income Exclusions: General Income Exclusion ($20) & Earned Income Exclusion ($65).
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): Allows beneficiaries to set aside income besides SSI and/or resources for a specified period of time so that they may pursue a work goal that will reduce or eliminate the SSI or SSDI benefits they currently receive. SSA does not count income set aside under a PASS when they figure SSI payment amount.

20. SSI
Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): SSI recipients under age 22 and regularly attending school may qualify. SSA does not count up to $1,820 of earned income per month when they figure SSI payment amount- maximum yearly exclusion is $7,350. These amounts are for the year 2018; SSA usually adjusts these figures each year based on the cost- of-living.
1619(b) Extended Medicaid Coverage: Protects Medicaid and SSI eligibility when earnings cause SSI checks to stop (2018 break even point for SSI is $1,585/month). The 2018 yearly threshold in Oklahoma for 1619(b) is $30,670.

21. Ticket to Work
Free and voluntary service for beneficiaries aged 18 to 64 who want to work and participate in planning their employment
Youth must have had adult determination in order to be eligible for a Ticket
Increases available choices when obtaining employment services, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and other support services you may need to get or keep a job
Beneficiaries might not be subject to a continuing disability review (CDR) while they are using their Ticket and making adequate and timely progress toward employment goals
Employment Networks (ENs) are private organizations or government agencies that have agreed to work with Social Security to provide employment services to beneficiaries with disabilities

22. Ticket to Work Help Line
(V) or (TTY). Lines are open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. EST.
The Help Line provides general information about the Ticket to Work Program, the WIPA program, and how work affects Social Security benefits.
The Help Line also provides an intermediary service to screen and refine referrals to the WIPA projects. The purpose is to identify the individuals who NEED individualized WIPA services and to facilitate and encourage the connection.
For a list of approved ENs, visit

23. Transition-Aged Youth
Special Considerations for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Age 14-25

24. Benefits Transition-Aged Youth May Receive
SSI
CDB/SSDI- Title II
If under age 18, child must be medically disabled by SSA’s standards, and both child’s and family’s income and resources must be below certain limits.
Once child is 18, income of parents is no longer considered but child must meet medical requirements for adults with disabilities (SSI Age 18 Redetermination).
SSI benefit amount may differ depending on person’s living arrangement.
In most states, SSI beneficiaries receive Medicaid automatically. Oklahoma beneficiaries must apply for Medicaid.
If child is born disabled or becomes disabled before age 22, and has a parent who is deceased, disabled, or retired, he or she may receive Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) based on work record of parent.
Must be age 18 or older to receive CDB.
If student has worked, he/she may receive SSDI benefits based on his/her own work history and earnings. After 2 years of entitlement to SSDI, they become eligible for Medicare.

25. Not all Social Security Benefits Received by Students are Related to Disability
A common benefit received by students is known as “child’s benefits” or sometimes “dependent’s benefits”.
These benefits are NOT based on the student’s disability.
Child’s benefits are paid to dependent children of insured workers who are now disabled, retired or deceased.
Child’s benefits are paid up to age 18 or 19 years 2 months if still in High School.

26. Deeming
When Social Security determines the eligibility and amount of payment for an SSI recipient, the income and resources of people responsible for the recipient's welfare are also considered.
This concept is called "deeming." It is based on the idea that those who have a responsibility for one another share their income and resources. It does not matter if money is actually provided to an eligible individual for deeming to apply.

27. Important Considerations
SSI recipients must undergo the age 18 redetermination for benefits to continue under the adult standard.
Parent-to-child deeming in the SSI program stops at the 18th birthday.
Eligibility for Social Security child’s benefits stops at 18 (or 19 yrs 2 months if still in high school).
Eligibility for CDB may begin at the age of 18 if the disability standard is met.
Youth who work may establish eligibility for SSDI quickly.

28. SSI Age-18 Redetermination Process
Usually occurs within 12 months after the 18th birthday.
Individuals not determined eligible for SSI benefits as an adult will be entitled to receive two more months of payments after the date of determination. This means the date on which the recipient is notified of the outcome of the age-18 redetermination.
Overpayment may occur if an ineligible individual continues to receive payments after the two-month grace period.
Individuals are required to meet adult disability standards as defined by SSA, which are more stringent. In the 2014 annual SSI report to Congress, Social Security indicated that 55% of all young adults who were redetermined in that year failed to meet the adult disability standards (

29. Student Earned Income Exclusion SEIE
SEIE is an important work incentive for SSI beneficiaries under 22, working, and regularly attending school
“Regularly attending school” means that you take one or more courses of study and attend classes:
In a college or university for at least 8 hours a week; or
In grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week; or
In a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours a week (15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice); or
For less time than indicated above for reasons beyond the student's control, such as illness
Additional types of students: homebound, homeschooled, online schooling

30. SSI Age-18 Redetermination Process
Age 18 Benefits Check-up for Transition Age Youth: the year following the 17th birthday, CWICs can help families proactively plan for benefits changes or other issues that may occur upon turning 18 with a written summary regarding individualized information about:
Current benefits issues
Parent-to-child deeming rules
Medicare & Medicaid
Expectations for benefits changes
Options if student is denied SSI at redetermination
Work incentives counseling
Other individualized information
Representative Payees

31. The IEP Process
How OWIPA Can Help

32. WIPA Services & the IEP Process
For special educators, it is important to:
Identify which students on caseload receive Social Security disability benefits (ask parent; CWICs verify what type and amount)
Reach out to your local WIPA agency:
Oklahoma
National Ticket to Work Helpline
Invite CWICs to attend IEP meetings
Ask local WIPA agencies to conduct presentations for families and faculty (especially transition events)

33. WIPA Services & the IEP Process
Before the IEP meeting:
Speak to local WIPA agency/CWIC and obtain consent forms/release of information.
Have parents and students write down questions or concerns regarding benefits for CWIC to address during IEP meeting.
Speak to CWIC prior to meeting about benefits issues, work incentives, and employment goals for IEP. CWICs can help eliminate fear that many families have about the loss of benefits.
If all Social Security policies are followed and all applicable work incentives utilized, transition-age youth CAN meet employment goals. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

34. Individual Development Accounts IDAs
Trust-like bank account that helps you save your earnings to go to school, buy a home, or start a business.
If you have an IDA through TANF or an AFIA grant, Social Security does not count any earnings you deposit into your account, any matching deposits, or any interest earned as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) income or resources. As a result, your SSI benefits may increase.
When you make a deposit to the account, a participating non-profit organization matches your deposit. The typical match is one dollar for each dollar that you deposit. The Federal government adds an additional match, limited to $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for a household over the life of the program (usually five years).

35. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE)
Can be used to save funds for the disability-related expenses of the account’s designated beneficiary, who must be blind or disabled by a condition that began prior to his or her 26th birthday.
Examples of qualified disability expenses include education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, and assistive technology and related services.
The designated beneficiary must be:
Receiving SSI based on disability or blindness that began before age 26;
Entitled to SSDI, Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB), or Disabled Widows or Widowers Benefits (DWB) based on disability or blindness that began before age 26; or
Someone whose primary care physician has certified that he or she is disabled or blind by a condition that began before age 26.

36. Contact your local WIPA provider
OWIPA toll-free:
Office: 3200 Marshall Ave. Suite 201, Norman, OK 73072
Ticket to Work Helpline: (V) or (TTY). Lines are open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. EST.

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This document is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication.
This document was published at U.S. taxpayer expense.