Community Employment for Everyone Is Going to Work and Earning a Paycheck a Realistic goal for your child? Ellen Condon Project Director University of MT Rural Institute Marc Gold and Associates August 24, 2011

Myths about Work You need to be “ready” to work… You need to be competitive with non-disabled coworkers for an employer to hire you. You need to be independent at work to have a job in the community. Your wages should be determined by your production. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Myths about Work (cont.) If you receive Social Security you can only work part time, If you work more than part time you will lose your Medicaid insurance. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

What if we began with the vision that everyone will work? You need to opt out of work rather than opting in or demonstrating that you are ‘ready’ or able to work. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

What about employment for Marci? TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Marci provides specialty stapling for the Fort Worth Telegram. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Customized Employment According to DOL: Customized employment means individualizing the relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based upon an individualized determination of the strengths, needs and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of an employer. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Two Distinct Approaches Labor Market Job Development: Responding to the needs of employers with applicants who are “qualified” to meet those general needs. Customized Job Development: Discovering the “strengths, needs and interests” of applicants and proactively negotiating a job description that meets both the applicant’s and employer’s specific. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Customized Job Development Job Seeker initiates Job seeker’s skills, tasks & contributions are emphasized Employers are contacted because their needs might match what the job seeker brings Job seeker or representative presents a proposal A position is negotiated Employer Reacts Considers proposal Reviews their unmet needs or allows developer to I.D. unmet needs If a match is identified, a new job description is created . TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

What does this mean for youth or adults with significant needs? We presume that everyone can work in their community; There are many ways to earn a living and contribute; We can define “work” in many ways; We look for strengths, support needs, interests, factors that motivate each person, WHAT WORKS; TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

What does this mean for youth or adults with significant needs? Focus on skill building in school AND supporting each person to make a contribution and maximize their participation in all activities; Eliminate readiness and the need to compete; A vision of employment guides transition activities. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Is employment for everyone? TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Is employment for everyone? TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

People are ready to contribute It is up to us to determine what they need for conditions, tasks and supports to make a contribution. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Customizing a job requires: that we explore these five components from the job seeker’s perspective: Conditions Preferences and Interests Contributions to Be Offered Discrete Tasks to Be Performed Specific Employers to Be Contacted TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

When developing a job for Patrick… the main factor was his list of conditions to be successful. It included preparation, environment, support on the job, and types of tasks. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

He works best with a variety of physical tasks with concrete endings. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

He began a second job in August 2010. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Lance owned his own delivery business. The school provided supports to him and after graduation supports were provided by Developmental Disabilties TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Students’ performance will differ when a job site and tasks are well matched to who they are and what works for them. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Using Discovery to Clarify Support Needs Jake does best in an environment where the rules are clear and enforced Mostly male Working around the same few people daily Succinct instruction up front A variety of familiar tasks Physical tasks TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved 21

What can parents bring to the table? Knowledge about what works and doesn’t for your child to be at their best. Perspective about what they CAN do and HOW they do it. Information about what your child does at home, in the community , outside of school. The commitment that your child will work after high school. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Carley’s team knew that she was committed to making sure inventory was in its place. They could describe what tasks she could perform and how she would do them as well as what accommodations and supports she needed. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Social Security Benefits and Work Disability benefits may be crucial for financing support needs, services, and medical needs. Work will impact benefits. Families, young adults, and employment staff need to be aware of how this happens. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Social Security and Work Myths exist about working and wages eliminating benefits. Several work incentive programs exist to protect the benefits of recipients as they try out work and the incentives can help pay for services and supports or help a person recover work expenses. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

WIPA- Work Incentive Planning Assistance What are they? Benefits Analysis and Transition Planning https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

PABSS: Planning and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/ providers.nst/bystate TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Social Security 2 programs for people with disabilities Both offer cash assistance and medical coverage SSI funded by general revenue of treasury; SSDI funded by workers for themselves or dependents TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

“Disability” Inability to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

The 3 Rules Save Everything Copy Everything Don’t Look For Logic Marsha Katz, Rural Institute TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance The recipient paid into the insurance system and then became disabled, and unemployed or unable to earn SGA ($1,000/month 2011; $1,640/month if blind) FICA TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSDAC: Social Security for a Disabled Adult Child Or (childhood disability benefits), a parent of a disabled child paid into the system and then became disabled, died or retired. “Disabled Adult Child”: unmarried, incurred disability before age 22, is or was dependent on the parent, age 18 or older. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

While it is less likely for younger people to receive SSDI –many do. Rod receives SSDI through his father’s retirement account Charles receives SSDI from his mom’s disability account Anne receives SSDI because her biological Dad died TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Check comes on 3rd or other day of month Payment varies with age, number of people receiving on the account and previous income, Comes with Medicare (24-month wait) TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSDI/SSDAC… No limits on resources and unearned income All or nothing benefit Earning over SGA ($1,000/month 2011) puts the payment in jeopardy TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

“Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA) $1,000 (2011)/month gross earnings 40 hours/month or $800 earnings for Self-Employment $1640/month for Blind TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Work Incentives A program developed by Social Security Enables people receiving Social Security benefits the opportunity to try out or return to employment without fear of losing benefits TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Subsidy & Special Considerations Subsidy: services, supports, accommodations that help someone find/maintain a job Provided by employer or others Reduces countable income and allows SSDI recipient to earn over SGA TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Examples of a Subsidy % of duties performed compared to similar wage coworkers % of production as compared to similar wage coworkers Additional supports provided by coworkers as compared to similar wage coworkers Job coach or follow-along supports provided to employee TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Calculating Subsidy: # job coach hours x person’s hourly wage % of duties or production, amount of support needed as compared to non-disabled coworker in similar job/pay Write letter on employer letterhead Keep on file for disability reviews TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Blind Work Expense (BWE) Costs of working not disability related Examples include: FICA and taxes, lunches, transportation, cost for guide dog, personal assistance, and other disability-related costs paid out of pocket Reduces countable income TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Supplemental Security Income SSI Supplemental Security Income TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSI - Supplemental Security Income A financial and medical benefit available for people who meet income and resource limits Who have a disability or have a child with a disability Or are 65 years old or are blind TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSI If you are under 18 your income & resources plus your family’s income and resources determine your eligibility. At age 18 your eligibility is re-determined. Only your income and resources are counted. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Annual Federal Benefit Rate $674/month (2011) $1,011/couple in (2011) Typically comes with Medicaid Check comes on the first of the month Amount of payment varies based on income and living situation TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSI Resource Limit Resources include any cash or item which can be converted to cash: life insurance policy, retirement plan, savings $2000 allowed for an individual $3000 for a couple Car and a house are allowed TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSI Resources: Personal property over $500 in value (antiques, coin collections, tools not used for work, boats, snowmobiles, livestock) Amount of equity in a second car Cash value of life insurance 1st moment of the month TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

2011 Federal Benefit Rate (doesn’t include various state supplements) $674/month for an individual $449.00 for an individual living in the “Household of Another” (2/3 of the FBR) TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Concurrent Recipients If SSDI/DAC is less than $674/month, then a person would be eligible for both benefits Total of the checks is $20 more than SSI alone - $694.00 in 2011 Receive both Medicaid & Medicare (Medicaid pays for Medicare) Follow SSI AND SSDI rules when working Convenient for a PASS plan TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Applying for SSI List ALL disabilities Worst Day scenario Statements from friends, families, coworkers, etc. Build in support if necessary Pain and medication side effects Gather your own records and fill in the gaps Ability to work, support needs… TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Applying for SSI (cont.) Must be earning less than SGA ($1,000 in 2011 or $1640 if blind) at the time of application. Can use an IRWE or Subsidy to lower your countable income at application time. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Income and Living Situation Influence the amount of your SSI check (2 months later) TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Income Earned Unearned Wages Net income from self-employment Food/shelter in lieu of wages Unearned SSDI/SSDAC Railroad Benefits Alimony Child support VA benefits Section 8 subsidy Adoption subsidy In-kind support TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Doing the MATH… TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Calculating the effects of income on SSI: Earned Income only Disregard the first $85/month earned, then divide by 2= the amount the SSI will be decreased. Gross wages - $85.00 X divide by 2= amount SSI will be reduced TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Matt Matt works 20 hours a week, earning $7.50/hr for an average of $600.00/month. How much is his SSI check? How much income did he have monthly without working? How much income does he have now with working even with the reduction in SSI? TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Impact of Wages on SSI $674/month $600- $85= $515 ½ of $515= $257.50 Income = $600 + $416.50 SSI= $1016.50 TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Calculating the effects of income on SSI: Earned and unearned income Disregard the first $65 of earned then divide by 2; “earned income exclusion” Disregard the first $20 of unearned income; “general income exclusion” Add the two together=the amount of countable income. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Anne Anne receives SSI and SSDI. She earns $385/month and her SSDAC check is $320/month. How much SSI does she get? TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Impact of wages and unearned income on SSI: $320 SSDI-$20 = $300 $385-$65= $320 ½ of 320 =$160 $674-$460= $214 TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Student Earned Income Exclusion Students can earn up to $1640/month before their SSI check is reduced Up to $6600/year If they earn over $6600 then their SSI check is reduced TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

1619 (a) and 1619 (b) 1619 (a) SSI benefits and eligibility continue even though earnings are over the SGA level Break Even Point SSI= $0 When FBR x 2+$85 ($1433/month) 1619 (b) Medicaid & SSI eligibility continue when no check is payable, due to amount of earnings, up to state/personal threshold TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

State Medicaid Threshold 2011 (amount you can earn before losing Medicaid) Florida $28,753 Mississippi $25,922 Georgia $27,509 North Carolina $33,568 South Carolina $28,141 Tennessee $26,645 Kentucky $27,345 Alabama $24,438 gross earnings/year TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSI Work Incentives Allow you to shelter income so it is not counted against you, and your SSI check remains higher, or you recover work expenses or protect eligibility for SSI and Medicaid. PASS Plans IRWE BWE TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

SSA Work Incentives can: Augment what schools are providing for employment Fund services when students are on waiting lists for services Promote choice and control of families and adults over providers and services Increase the options for people TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) Plan approved by SSA Expenditures lead to a vocational goal Timelines Budget Can save money or use monthly TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) Paid out of pocket Directly related to disability Expense necessary to work Recover +/- 50% of costs TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Resources: SSA Red Book http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/ http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition Social Security (Fact Sheets) Products (Monographs): Keep the Bucks, PASS the Bucks, Manage the Bucks (Newsletters) TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Resources: TACE Archived Webinars An Overview of SSI and SSDI and Implications for Transition Planning ( June 28th, 2011) tacesoutheast.org/webinars/2011/062811/index.php Social Security Work Incentives (July 21, 2011) tacesoutheast.org/webinars/2011/072111/index.php TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Comments & Questions TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Contact Information Ellen Condon Rural Institute On Disabilities Marc Gold and Associates Email: condon@ruralinstitute.umt.edu Website: http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

THANK YOU! TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

TACE Talks Transition (TTT) Monthly concise information on best practices to transition counselors available for their own pace learning; – sign-up and start your subscription via the Transition Email-List tacesoutheast.org/network/transition/email_list.php TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved

Southeast TACE (Region IV) Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty] Fax: (404) 541-9002 Web: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal Email: tacesoutheast@law.syr.edu TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved 74

Education Credits DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 7th CRCC Credit - (2.0) Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Score an 80% or better on a online Post Test and  submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal.  CEU Credit - (0.2) Approved by the University College at Syracuse University Submit an online CEU Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal **For CRCC credit, you must reside in the 8 U.S. Southeast states served by the TACE Region IV [AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN]. If beyond TACE Region IV, you may apply for CEU credit. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved 75

Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the Southeast TACE Center: Region IV ©2011 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR 75.620 (b)]. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved 76

Copyright Information This work is the property of the Southeast TACE Region IV Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2011 All Rights Reserved 77