CAL STAT Regional Institute

Whittier Union and Irvine Unified School Districts

Third Annual Transition Summit

Failure to focus on Social Security benefits during transition is just not a missed opportunity, but may also cause harm when students and family members are not educated about or prepared for the effect of earnings on cash benefits and medical insurance*

*National Council on Disability October 28, 2008

Know the Benefit

Social Security Administration

SSISupplemental

Security Income

SSDISocial Security

DisabilityInsurance

SSDI Survivor’s Benefit

Supplemental Security IncomeEligibility Criteria

Needs Based (limited income)Resource Limit $2000 (minimal savings)SSA defined DisabilitySubstantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limitsAny age to applyUS citizen or meet special requirements

for non-citizens (e.g. seeking asylum)Resource Deeming (size of benefit depends

on parents’ or spouse’s income)

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…….“the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s):

that can be expected to result in death, or

that has lasted or that Social Security expects to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

Social Security Disability Definition

If you are 18 and NOT receiving benefits

You may apply for SSI under the adult criteria

Parental deeming does not affect you when you apply for SSI as an adult(hint) now may be the time to PAY parents your “fair share” of living expenses to qualify for a higher benefit. SSA form # 8006-F-4

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Rent/Mortgage Property Insurance

Food (only food) Real property Taxes

Gas Garbage removal

electricity water

Fair Share

Turning 18Victor turned 18 and applied for benefits for the first time.

Victor did not qualify for “Fair share”…..

Own household amount = $854.40Household of another amount = $625.17

VTR =$232.66

SGA for 2012

Substantial Gainful Activity Level 2012

Non- blind $1010Blind $1690

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Student Earned Income ExclusionSEIE

Student Earned Income Exclusion allows students up to age 22 who are regularly attending school to earn $1700 per month without affecting their benefit ,up to a limit of $6,840 annually.

A person is considered regularly attending school if they attend classes: College for at least 8 hours a week Grades 7-12 at least 12 hours a week Training course to prepare for employment

12 hours a week,15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice.

SEIE - Student Earned Income Exclusion

To apply for the SEIE:

Send letter on school letterhead to SSA: Name of student, Social Security number, The amount of time that you are in school.

Including dates that you started school and if you are attending summer school.

Must be done every year ( up to age 22)

Example of SEIE letter to SSA School Of Hard Knocks

34 Main StreetDateTo whom it may concern:

This is to verify that Teri No Name ( SSA# 122-22-2222) is enrolled in School of Hard Knocks Transition Program. Teri attends the program 5 days a week from 8:45-2:30 since September 2, 2011.

I an sending this letter to request that she be given the Student Earned Income Exclusion. (Page 35 in the 2011 SSA REDBOOK)

If you have any additional questions, please call me at (562) phone number.

Thank you

Responsible School Personnel

SEIE LetterHave parents take the letter to SSA office.

1. Be sure that SSA date stamps the letter2. and ask for a stamped copy to

3. keep the copy for your files.

Notify SSA when you stop working or you are NO longer eligible for the SEIE exclusion to avoid an over payment.

Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)

An IRWE is the cost of services or products that are essential for work and are disability related

These costs reduce earned income resulting in a larger SSI benefit

Conditions◦ You paid the cost and are not reimbursed by

any other agency◦ The cost is reasonable◦ You paid for the expense in a month that you

are working

Job Coach Name

Job Coach AddressJob Coach Phone Number

IRWE INVOICE(Impairment Related Work Expense)

Job coaching services for:________________________________________

Date of service(s): ______________________________________________

Number of Hours: ______Cost per Hour: __________ Total: ____________Mileage: ___________@ ________________ Total: ________________TOTAL DUE: _______________

Payment due upon receipt of invoice, please remember to submit a copy to SSA when reporting wages._________________________________ _________________________Job Coach Signature Date

Impairment Related Work Expenses

Transportation Job Coach

Plan for Achieving Self Sufficiency (PASS) A plan to achieve self sufficiency that allows you to set aside

income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal.

It must be Designed especially for you in writing (SSA-545-BK) Have a specific work goal that you are capable of

performing Have a specific timeframe Show what money you will use to reach your goal

(must have income from source other than JUST SSI) Show how you will keep your money identifiable from

other funds Be approved by SSA Be reviewed by SSA periodically to assure your plan is

helping you achieve progress You have to pay the money back to SSA if you do not finish

the PASS as planned.

Medi-Cal – 1619BYou need to meet all the eligibility rules MediCal coverage can continue if your earnings

alone or in combination with your other income becomes too high for an SSI cash payment until you reach the state threshold amount of $36423. $37,743 for beneficiaries who are blind. (2012 amount)

You must be:

still be disabled need MediCal to work

You must report your wages MONTHLY by the 10th of the next month.

Be sure to include: 1. name and2. complete Social Security number3. Work incentive used (SEIE, IRWE,..)

Social Security Wage Reporting Form(Form that you send to SSA with your pay stubs)

Name____________SS#_________________

Date of Check______Today’s Date_________

Benefit type: SSI SSDI Survivors

Attention: ( name of your claim’s representative)

Work Incentive:

SEIE PASS IRWE ____________

Please send me a receipt for this pay stub.

Thank you

How to Avoid Overpayments

Report wages/income and resources monthly

Report any changes in living situation or employment status

Keep good records and keep copies of everything you give to SSA

Be prepared for periodic reviews

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Ticket-to-Work

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Thank you……..

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Teri Chang, CWICWhittier Union High School District9401 S. Painter Ave.Whittier, CA 90605562- 698-8121 ext 1236

Sheri Hightower, CWICCapistrano Unified School District31576 Camino RealSan Juan Capistrano, CA 92675949-234-5345 ext. 3

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If you would like to receive more training at no cost to you on:

• Social Security Benefits Planning•TAY Mental Illness•System/Program Assessment•Autism Spectrum Disorder•Employment Preparation

Call Richard L. Rosenberg562/ 698-8121 ext 1250 orYour local Department of Rehabilitation