2. Developed by the Connect to Work Center, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Social Services in Conjunction with: Community Renewal Team of Hartford Community Renewal Team of Hartford Co-Opportunity, Inc. of Hartford Co-Opportunity, Inc. of Hartford The Internal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service And the following state agencies: And the following state agencies: Department of Labor Department of Labor Department of Mental Retardation Department of Mental Retardation Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security

3. Ask yourself - Do you have enough income for: movies & restaurants? going to school? buying a car ? buying a home?

4. Cash benefits are very helpful but usually not enough Work provides additional income Most people who work have more income whether they have a combination of earnings & benefits or earnings alone. How do you get more income ?

5. WORK can help you achieve the things you need !

6. Work can help you increase income. Work can help you with continued health insurance. Work can help you afford better housing, transportation, and continued support services.

7. WORK

8. Are you concerned that work will stop your benefits and services ? WHAT CAN HELP??

9. Let’s learn about two Social Security cash benefits that can often help as you prepare for the World of Work. &

10. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI is based on need; maximum of $623/mo SSI is based on need; maximum of $623/mo SSI can often continue while you work until you are earning enough to support yourself. SSI can often continue while you work until you are earning enough to support yourself. SSI is associated with Medicaid/Title XIX. SSI is associated with Medicaid/Title XIX. Medicaid/Title XIX can continue even when you earn too much to get a cash benefit. Medicaid/Title XIX can continue even when you earn too much to get a cash benefit.

11. Depending on how much she earns, Gina may have both wages and some SSI until she transitions to full time work. She will keep her Medicaid/Title XIX. Gina now works part time at a coffee shop. Will she lose her SSI benefits?

12. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) SSDI amount is based on work history. SSDI amount is based on work history. SSDI has work incentives allowing you to try working while keeping SSDI support. SSDI has work incentives allowing you to try working while keeping SSDI support. SSDI recipients are usually given Medicare SSDI recipients are usually given Medicare Medicare generally continues for many years even if the cash benefit stops. Medicare generally continues for many years even if the cash benefit stops.

13. Will Jack lose his SSDI cash benefit now that he is working at No, he has time to try out work while continuing on SSDI as he prepares to transition to full time work. He will continue to have Medicare. ?

14. Both SSI and SSDI recipients have access to other work incentives that can support them through their transition into successful work. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Individual Development Account (IDA) Plan for Achieving Self Support PASS Plan

15. Medicaid for the Employed Disabled Linda is enjoying her job at Microboard Processing. DSS granted her Medicaid for the Employed Disabled since she is working even though she still has a disability. Linda has opened a checking account. She is happy with the car she purchased and is saving for a condo. All of this is possible while keeping her health insurance. Linda is enjoying her job at Microboard Processing. DSS granted her Medicaid for the Employed Disabled since she is working even though she still has a disability. Linda has opened a checking account. She is happy with the car she purchased and is saving for a condo. All of this is possible while keeping her health insurance.

16.  IDA – Using matched savings that double her money and do not affect her benefits.  EITC – Used her tax refund to start a checking account.  PASS – Used a Social Security Savings plan.

17. EITC is a special tax benefit for working people with low to moderate incomes You may be able to claim from hundreds to more than four thousand dollars ($4,000), depending on income, marital status and number of children. The EITC is not counted as income in most public benefit programs, including SSI, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Veterans Benefits, and Federally Assisted Housing If you work, you may be eligible for the EITC even if you don’t have to pay taxes.

18. For the EITC, you need to have worked and have earned income less than: $12,120 ($14,120, if married filing jointly) if there is no qualifying child $32,001 ($34,001, if married filing jointly) if there is one qualifying child $36,348 ($38,348, if married filing jointly) if there are two or more qualifying child

19. The Child must meet all relationship, age and residency tests:  Relationship:Son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter or a descendent of any of them or brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendent of any of them or an eligible foster child.  Age:Under age 19 at the end of the tax year or under 24 and a full time student at the end of the tax year or any age & permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year.  Residency:Lived with the taxpayer in the United States for more than half of the tax year. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON E.I.T.C CALL 211

20. PASS is a Social Security work incentive that may allow you to increase your SSI monies or to become eligible for SSI if you weren’t in the past. Money can be set aside for work related goals such as: Buying a car which is necessary to get a well paying job. Paying for training/school to improve work related skills so you may increase your earnings. Start up money for a small business.

21. IDAs are matched savings accounts in which you save money that can be used to purchase a home, and pay for higher education or a security deposit. A couple of IDA programs in CT also allow savings for purchase of a car. Your savings are matched up to $2.00 for every $1.00 you save up to a maximum of $4000.00 (depending on the IDA program you are involved in). FOR MORE INFORMATION ON IDAS CALL 211

23. CONNECT TO WORK CENTER The statewide network of Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) of the Connect to Work Center are available to review Social Security and State benefits and services to help you live as independently as you can. Toll free 1-800-773-4636 TTY 1-860-424-4839 CONNECT TO WORK CENTER The statewide network of Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) of the Connect to Work Center are available to review Social Security and State benefits and services to help you live as independently as you can. Toll free 1-800-773-4636 TTY 1-860-424-4839

24. SOCIAL SECURITY For information on Social Security benefits call: Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 for an office near you.

25. Many Communities Have Free Tax Preparation Sites and E-Filing Services Available: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program (offered by various community groups, staffed by volunteers). Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program (offered by AARP, with timing preference given to taxpayers 60 & older) CALL INFOLINE 211 FOR THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU

26. Are there programs that understand disabilities and can help me get a job? There are 4 Public Vocational Rehabilitation Programs in Connecticut: Bureau of Rehabilitation Services – serves all people with physical and mental disabilities, except those who are blind. 1-800-537-2549; TDD 1-860-424-4839 Bureau of Rehabilitation Services – serves all people with physical and mental disabilities, except those who are blind. 1-800-537-2549; TDD 1-860-424-4839 Board of Education and Services for the Blind - serves people who are blind. Provides assistance with jobs and other services, such as mobility training and travel instruction. 1-800-399-1122; TDD 1-860-602-4221 Board of Education and Services for the Blind - serves people who are blind. Provides assistance with jobs and other services, such as mobility training and travel instruction. 1-800-399-1122; TDD 1-860-602-4221 Native American Tribal Vocational Program – serves Native Americans. 1-800-399-1122 Native American Tribal Vocational Program – serves Native Americans. 1-800-399-1122 Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation – serves people who are veterans. 1-800-827-1000 Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation – serves people who are veterans. 1-800-827-1000

27. Other programs that may help you get a JOB Toll Free Numbers: Social Security – Ticket to Work Program 1-800-772-1213 1-800-772-1213 Website: www.ssa.gov/work www.ssa.gov/work Department of Labor – 1-877-872-5627 Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services: 1-800-446-7348 Department of Mental Retardation 1-866-433-8192 1-866-433-8192

28. What if I Need Assistive Technology (AT) CT Tech Act Project can assist you by providing access to assistive technology for work, school and community living. CT Tech Act Project can assist you by providing access to assistive technology for work, school and community living. AT is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT can range from inexpensive gadgets to special controls to help you drive, hearing aids or wheelchairs, communication devices or hands-free access to a computer and much more. AT can range from inexpensive gadgets to special controls to help you drive, hearing aids or wheelchairs, communication devices or hands-free access to a computer and much more. For more information call: 1-800-537-2543 (toll free); TDD 1-860-424-4839

29. What is Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Program? PABSS PABSS is a Federal program funded by the Social Security Administration and given to the State Office of Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. The program is designed to provide the following services to only SSDI and SSI beneficiaries: Information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services Advocacy and other services that an SSDI or SSI beneficiary may need to get or keep employment For more information call: 1-800-842-7303 (toll free); TDD 1-860-297-4380