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Social Security AdministrationWork Incentives

TA Center Webinar

September 9, 2014

Asking Questions During the Training• Submit questions in the chat box on the

webinar

• E-mail questions to HVRP@nchv.org

• Submit questions through the post-training survey

Logistics

• Asking questions during the webinar• All participant phone lines are muted

• You’ll be unable to ask questions by phone

• Please type your question in the on screen chat box

• There will be two opportunities during the webinar to ask questions

• Can’t hear anything? Be sure to click “start audio” at the top right hand side of the webinar screen. Or you can call in through your phone:− 1-877-366-0711 and provide the following Participant Code: 26432122

SOARSSI/SSDI Outreach, Access

and RecoveryTechnical Assistance

InitiativeSponsored By:

Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services

September 2014

SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative SOAR – SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access & Recovery Focuses on people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness Sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with SSA since 2005 SOAR is active in all 50 states; no direct funding is provided to states SOAR TA Center helps states and communities by providing technical assistance and training

SOAR Has Broad Goals

Overview of AgendaSSI/SSDI BasicsWhy Employment?Myth BustingSSA Work IncentivesDiscussion

SSI & SSDI: The Basics

Importance of SSI/SSDI for Individuals

SSA disability benefits can provide access to:• Income• Housing• Health insurance• Treatment• Employment supports• Other supportive services

For people with disabilities, SSI/SSDI can be a critical step towards ending homelessness and promoting recovery

Working for More than IncomeSelf-worth and self-confidence

Define a role for the person in the community

Foster a connection to others

Add structure to daily life

Critical step in recovery

Common MythsIf you work, your SSI/SSDI application will be automatically denied

Benefits and health insurance end immediately when start working

You can only work part-time while receiving disability

If Social Security knows you are working, they will say you aren’t disabled anymore

SOAR as an Agent of HopeEmployment is possible during and after an application for SSI/SSDI

Develop expertise in work incentives offered by SSA and give examples of how work will affect benefits

Identify and collaborate with employment support services

While applying for SSI/SSDI

You can work during the application process SSA looks at the type and amount of work

◦ Earn up to $1,070/month

Strategy: Encourage work from the start

◦ Can help to strengthen the application◦ Might find that supported employment works

better for individual

After approval for SSI/SSDI

You can work while receiving SSI/SSDI

Strategy: Connect with work support programs

◦ SSA’s Ticket to Work◦ www.chooseworkttw.net

◦ Supported Employment Programs

After approval for SSI/SSDI

Strategy: Utilize Social Security Work Incentives

◦ Income Exclusion for SSI◦ Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)◦ Trial Work Period (TWP)◦ Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)◦ Subsidy◦ Impairment-Related Work Expense (IRWE)◦ Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)

What happens to cash benefits?

“Work pays” SSI

◦ Income Exclusion◦ Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

SSDI◦ Trial Work Period◦ Extended Period of Eligibility

Income Exclusion: SSI OnlyCertain amounts of earnings are excluded when calculating countable income

General exclusion: $20

Earned income exclusion: $65

If SSI is sole income, get both

Calculating Countable Income: SSI

Gross Earnings From Work: $1,525

General Exclusion: ($20)

Earned Income Exclusion: ($65)

= $1440

$1 Counted for Every $2 Earned: $1440/2

Countable Income: = $720

Maximum SSI check – Countable Income: $721-720

Amount of SSI Check: $1

Total Income: $1,526

• After Exclusions, SSA Counts $1.00 for every $2.00 earned

Trial Work Period (TWP): SSDI Only9 months of gross earnings (per current SSA rate)

Need not be consecutive

Are counted within a 5-year period

Trigger a review of one’s continued eligibility for SSDI

Continue to receive full benefit check during this time

Trial Work Period Example: SSDI

Month Earnings TWPJan 2008 $900 Yes-

1Feb 2008 $550 NoMar 2008 $770 Yes-

2April 2008

$600 No

Aug 2008 $800 Yes-3

Sept 2008

$800 Yes-4

Oct 2008 $800 Yes-5

Nov 2008 $800 Yes-6

It only counts as a TWP month when earnings are $770 or more

Month Earnings TWPJan 2009 $900 Yes-

7Jun 2009 $500 NoJul 2009 $500 No

Aug 2009 $500 NoSep 2009 $500 NoOct 2009 $500 NoDec 2009 $800 Yes-

8Jan 2010 $800 Yes-

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When the Trial Work Period Ends SSA will look at earnings during the Trial Work Period and calculate whether the person was earning SGA

Countable earnings can be reduced with a Subsidy and/or IRWES

If earning SGA: Benefits cease after a 3 month grace period

If not earning SGA: Benefits continue

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): SSDI OnlyApplies only to SSDI

Lasts 36 months from the end of the TWP (if applicable)

Applies to any month in which earnings fall below SGA

Allows beneficiaries to receive SSDI in the months of non-SGA earnings during the EPE

Subsidy: SSDI OnlyImplied Value of extra support received on the jobExamples of supports:

• Extra hours of supervision• Job coach or mentor• Reduced workload

“Provided” by employerSubsidized worker earns the same pay as other workers doing the same job

Subsidy Example: SSDI

Gross Earnings From Work during TWP: $1100

Subsidy ($200)

Considered Income: = $900

Earning SGA? NO

The subsidy is subtracted from earnings when determining SGA at the end of the TWP

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs): SSI and SSDIApply both to SSI and SSDI at different times

Are out-of-pocket costs that a person must pay that are (1) related to one’s disability and (2) needed to be able to work

Examples:◦ Medication co-pays◦ Special equipment◦ Others?

IRWE Example: SSI

Gross Earnings From Work: $500

General Exclusion: ($20)

Earned Income Exclusion: ($65)

IRWE ($50)

= $365

$1 Counted for Every $2 Earned: $365/2

Countable Income: = $182.50

Maximum SSI check – Countable Income: $721-$182.50

Amount of SSI Check: $538.50

Total Income: $1,038.50

• 5 prescriptions, $10 co-pay for each • The IRWE is subtracted from countable income

IRWE Example: SSDI

Gross Earnings From Work during TWP: $1100

IRWE ($50)

Considered Income: = $1050

Earning SGA? NO

•5 prescriptions, $10 co-pay for each •The IRWE is subtracted from earnings when determining SGA at the end of the TWP

Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)For both SSI and SSDIFive years after benefits cease due to earningsExpedited return to payments and medical benefitsA medical review is doneApplicants should request EXR from the local SSA office

Health Insurance SSI: Medicaid

◦ May continue under Federal Rule 1619B even if SSI cash payments stop

◦ Earnings must remain below state threshold

SSDI: Medicare◦ Continues for 93 months (7.75 years) after the last month of

the Trial Work Period◦ May be purchased after 93 months under certain conditions;

premium costs for Part A then apply

Overpayments and Return to Work How are people overpaid?

◦ SSI: Excess income, excess resources, change in living arrangement

◦ SSDI: Earning SGA after TWP

Collecting overpayments◦ SSI: 10% from future checks until paid off◦ SSDI: Entire check can be withheld, reductions to

$10/month if needed for living expenses

Option: Request waiver of overpayment

Resources SSA Web site (www.socialsecurity.gov/work)

◦ Ticket to Work: Employment and VR Services

◦ Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program

◦ Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS or P&A)

◦ Service Provider Directory for WIPA and P&A:https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) ◦ Department of Labor, One-Stop Career Centers

◦ http://www.doleta.gov/disability/

Things to RememberTrack and report all earnings to SSA

Don’t risk overpayment

When in doubt, talk to your local SSA field office.

Use your resources!

Let’s Talk About It!QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Connect with Us Visit our website: http://soarworks.prainc.com

SAMHSA SOAR TA Center345 Delaware Avenue

Delmar, New York 12054(518) 439 – 7415

soar@prainc.com

www.facebook.com/soarworks@SOARWorks

Used with permission from: www.dol.gov/vets/grants/hvrp.htm

National Coalition for Homeless VeteransTicket to Work ProgramPathways to Success

Presented by Donna De Julius and James Wackerbarth

Objectives

Describe Who’s Who in the Ticket to Work Program

Identify the role of an Employment Network (EN)

Review the Ticket to Work program

Describe why Ticket to Work is a good fit for Veteran Employment Service agencies

Clarify the outcome-based payment system and braided funding

Review the basic qualifications to become an EN

Provide resources for further information

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Who’s Who

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Service Provider Roles

Employment Networks (EN) in the Ticket to Work program:Increase the number of beneficiaries entering workforceAssist the beneficiary in becoming self-sufficientProvide the community with access to newly identified and dedicated workforce

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Used with permission from: www.dol.gov/vets/grants/hvrp.htm

Ticket Program & Veterans

Ticket to Work

Eligibility• Age 18 through 64• Currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or both

Participation•Voluntary•Beneficiary advantages

• Protection from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)• Opportunity to earn more than disability payments alone

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Why is the Ticket Program a Good Fit for Service Providers that Work with Veterans?

Your OrganizationTo provide services to assist in reintegrating Veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force

As of 2010- Veterans and their families consist of 35% of the beneficiary population

Ticket ProgramTo provide services to assist individuals on disability benefits to enter into meaningful employment in order for them to become more self-sufficient

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Why is the Ticket Program a Good Fit for Homeless Veterans?

• Veterans ineligible for VA benefits often seek Social Security benefits

• Protection under the Ticket program• Continuing Disability

Review protection• Benefits protection

• Potential for more income• Ticket program goal is for

beneficiaries to become financially independent

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Outcome-based Payment System and Braided Funding

• The Ticket program is an outcome based program (Not reimbursed for services)

• Payments to service providers are non-discretionary funds and can be used as the organization decides

• Braided Funding• Supplement Ticket funding to support other

programs• ENs incorporate Ticket into existing programs

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Used with permission from: www.dol.gov/vets/grants/hvrp.htm

How to Become an EN

Social Security Request for Quotation (RFQ) Requirements for ENs

• Offeror must have 2 years of experience providing employment services for people with disabilities immediately preceding the date of proposal (or 3 years in a 5 year period)

• Offeror must submit with their proposal at least one of the following:• Proof of grant funding (HVRP grant) to provide employment

related services• Evidence of contract or vendor agreement with state VR

contract or federal agency • Evidence of certification or accreditation from national

rehabilitation and employment services accrediting bodies (example: CARF)

• A copy of the license or certification as required by State law to provide employment services

All qualifications must be current45

Request for Quotation (cont.)• Offeror must provide at a minimum these three core services:

• Career counseling

• Job placement

• Ongoing employment supports

• Offeror must provide a business plan that describes the services leading to employment

• The full application is available at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/enrfq.html

• Submit the RFQ by mailing a hard copy to:

Social Security Administration

Employment Network Proposals

Attn: Employment Network Services Branch

P.O. Box 17778

Baltimore, MD 21235-17778

OR

• Email to: enservice@ssa.gov

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Used with permission from: www.dol.gov/vets/grants/hvrp.htm

Resources

Contact Information

OSM Choose Work for Service Providers www.yourtickettowork.com 1-866-949-3687 Social Security-ORDESWork Site www.socialsecurity.gov/work

BASS Choose Work www.chooseworkttw.net1-866-968-7842

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Contact Information (cont.)

Donna De Julius

Initiative Lead

703-336-8044

donnamdejulius@maximus.com

James Wackerbarth

Account Specialist

703-336-8053

JamesWackerbarth@maximus.com

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Additional Resources

• To learn more about effective EN practices, visit

www.yourticketotwork.com.

• Training materials and archived presentations conducted by ENs and state VR Agencies

• Archives:

https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/effective-practices

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Asking Questions During the Training

• Submit questions in the chat box on the webinar

• E-mail questions to HVRP@nchv.org

• Submit questions through the post-training survey