1. Frank Toraño Work Incentives Coordinator South Florida Area

2. We’re Listening We’re Learning We’re Responding In Social Security

3. You’ll learn…. The types of disability benefits SSA offers The difference between them and… How work affects the benefits you receive

4. DEFINITION A physical or mental condition That keeps you from working It lasted or it’s expected to last at least for 12 months or result in death

5. A QUESTION FOR YOU.. WHO CAN GET DISABILITY?

6. Disabled Worker ( SSD ) Disabled Adult Child ( SSD ) Disabled Widow or Widower (SSD) Disabled person with low income and low assets (SSI)

7. Who can get Disability? SSI Low income $694 per month for individual in 2011 $1,031 per month for couple in 2011 Low assets $2,000 maximum for individual $3,000 maximum for couple

8. Special Issues for Children Parent’s income and assets are deemed to under age 18 child living with parents (SSI)

9. Can you get both? DISABILITYDISABILITY SSD Based on someone's work SSI Low income Low assets

10. MEDICAL BENEFITS MEDICARE MEDICAID

11. Medicare and Medicaid SSD Medicare 24 months after disability starts SSI Medicaid No waiting period DISABILITYDISABILITY

12. TWO DISABILITY PROGRAMS Title II, Social Security, SSD, SSDI MEDICARE Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income, SSI MEDICAID

13. How Work Affects SSD Checks

14. SSDI Work Incentives Trial Work Period Expended Period of Eligibility IRWE’s Subsidy Unsuccessful Work Attempts Expedited Re Instatement Medicare Continuation

15. Trial Work Period 9 month trial work period Wages must be at least $720.00 to count as trial work month 9 months must be in 60 month period SSA keeps paying the SSDI check for the 9 months of the TWP Red Book page 29

16. WORK ? SGA Substantial Gainful Activity SGA = WORK for SSDI WORK ≥ than $1,000.00 in 2010

18. Extended Period of Eligibility For 36 consecutive months IF YOU EARN MORE THAN $1,000 A MONTH WE WILL NOT PAY YOU A CHECK FOR THAT MONTH IF YOU EARN LESS THAN $1,000 WE WILL PAY YOU FOR THAT MONTH. RedBook page 29

19. Impairment Related Work Expense Item enables work Needed because of impairment Not reimbursable from another source Reasonable Paid for by disabled person Paid for in a month person was working Redbook page 23

20. Subsidy- support received from the employer that may result in pay higher than the actual value of the services performed Special Conditions - provided by someone other than the employer such as a vocational rehabilitation agency SUBSIDY & SPECIAL CONDITIONS

21. Unsuccessful Work Attempt A work attempt that stopped or earnings went below $1,000 after a short time (6 months or less) Due to impairment Removal of special considerations Redbook page 22

22. Work Incentives TWP 9 non consecutive months Checks paid no matter how much $$$$$ you make EPE 36 consecutive months More than $1,000.00- no check Less than $1,000.00 – check is paid

23. If you are still at disabled Medicare continues least 7 yrs & 9 months after trial work period ends After that, Medicare can be bought Does Work Stop Medicare? Redbook page 32 - 33

24. Expedited Reinstatement Within 5 years of termination Same or related disability Pays 6 months benefits while a new disability decision is being made Redbook page 28

25. How Work Affects SSI Checks How Work Affects SSI Checks

26. Smaller SSI checkSSI Mucho $$$ Smaller SSI check

27. + $2.00 - $1.00

28. How Work Effects SSI Checks Reduces check $1.00 for every $2.00 in wages over $85.00 in a monthReduces check $1.00 for every $2.00 in wages over $85.00 in a month Wages affect check 2 months after they are paidWages affect check 2 months after they are paid Example $485.00 wages in JuneExample $485.00 wages in June August check reduced $200.00August check reduced $200.00 Earned Income Exclusion=$85.00Earned Income Exclusion=$85.00

29. + $2.00 - $1.00

30. It Pays to Work! John ’ s SSI check $674.00 John gets a job & will earn $800.00 gross wages monthly. He has no other income. We do not count the first $85.00 We count half of the remainder $715.00 ÷ 2 = $357.50 John’s countable income = $357.50 $800.00 - $85.00 $715.00

31. It Pays to Work! $674.00 John’s SSI check -$357.50 countable income $316.50 SSI check $800.00 Gross wages +$316.50 SSI check $1116.50 John ’ s income before working $674.00 John ’ s income after working $1116.50

32. Student under age 22 and regularly attending school We do not count the first $1,640 of earned income in a month up to a calendar year maximum of $6,600 (Effective January 2010) Student Earned Income Exclusion

33. Plan for Achieving Self-Support P.A.S.S.

34. SSI work incentive A plan to reach a specific work goal Can set aside income or an excess resource to pay for things needed to reach a work goal What Is A PASS?

35. ATLANTA REGION PASS CADRE Social Security Administration SEPSC 1200 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35285-0001 Phone: 1-800-254-9489 FAX: 205-801-3367

36. What Happen to my SSI/Medicaid ???? If I become entitled to one of my parents records to a $1,500 check every month? What happen if I work and my SSI check goes down to $0.00 or -$0.00?

37. If you become entitled on one of your parents records.. Your Medicaid will continue if you receive the money from one of your parents records

38. If check goes to $0.00 because of WORK Your Medicaid will continue….. The reporting requirements do not change because of it.

39. SSA & SSI

40. Ticket to Work Social Security mails a paper ticket Must be 18 or older & receiving benefits based on adult disability rules Most important… No medical review while using ticket to work Reporting requirements do not change Redbook page 26

41. What is MAXIMUS? MAXIMUS, INC. is a company that helps Social Security run the ticket program. MAXIMUS toll-free 1-866-968-7842 TTY 1-866-833-2967 Website is www.yourtickettowork.com

42. WIPA SSA has arranged for work incentives planning and assistance services for beneficiaries who reside in the areas where there is currently no WIPA project The toll-free number is: 866-426-1132 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Red Book, page 9

43. DISABILITY RIGHTS OF FLORIDA Formerly the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. Organizations that provide beneficiaries with information and legal advice on Vocational Rehabilitation, employment services or other work related matters Tel 800-342-0823 Fax 850-617-6677

44. Thank You Francisco.torano@ssa.gov