OREGONS WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK (WIN) When you work, you WIN! This presentation is sponsored by The Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA #93.768). Updated April 2010

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services The Competitive Employment Project Mission Statement To enhance the quality of life in Oregon by achieving, maintaining and advancing the competitive and inclusive employment of persons with disabilities.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Oregons Work Incentive Network (WIN) WIN is a benefits and work incentives planning service that helps people with disabilities: 1. MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS about work and their benefits; 2. USE WORK INCENTIVES to achieve their employment goals; and 3. NAVIGATE THE BENEFITS SYSTEMS when they begin working.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services WIN: An Essential Employment Support A one stop source of information and assistance. Reduce fear and misunderstanding about the effect of working on benefits. Prevents crises that result when change occurs. Improves employment and economic outcomes through: - Increased employment rates; - Increased earnings; and - Decreased medical expenses.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services THE WIN MODEL: A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES 1. Interested in working, but no job goal: General information and referral. 2. Identified a job goal, but not working yet: Comprehensive Intake and Work Incentive Analysis. 3. Secured job: Implementing work incentive and reporting earned income. 4. Life changes: Ongoing support with using work incentive and/or wage reporting assistance.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services THE WIN MODEL: A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATORS PROVIDE: General work incentive information and community service/vocational referrals; A Comprehensive Intake when needed; In-depth benefits and work incentive planning assistance, including a written Work Incentives plan; Assistance strategizing the use of various work incentives; Assistance utilizing work incentives; and Ongoing support to those working and utilizing work incentives.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services IT TAKES A TEAM TO REMOVE THIS BARRIER You cant do your job AND be a Work Incentive Expert..….. BUT YOU CAN: 1. Let people know there are WORK INCENTIVES that support their employment efforts; 2. Recognize MYTHS and communicate FACTS; and 3. Encourage people to connect to WIN for more individualized analysis.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services ACCESSING WIN SERVICES If you know someone who could use WIN services: Fill out and fax the WIN Referral Form; or Give the person a WIN brochure so he/she can call and request services; or You can call and request services on behalf of the person. Meet the Work Incentive Coordinators in your area: Contact the WIN staff in your area to do onsite informational sessions for your company/agency. Contact info for WIN staff can be found at the end of this presentation.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services SOME BASIC TERMS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW SSA: Social Security Administration SSI: Supplemental Security Income SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance WORK INCENTIVES: Both federal and state-specific programs that are available to people with disabilities, even those not on SSI or SSDI in return to work efforts. HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services THE BASICS: SSDI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SSDI – Cash Benefit: Be disabled by SSA definition: and Be insured or draw off insured worker who is disabled, retired, deceased. Amount varies based on work history. No asset test. SSDI – Health Care: Medicare (after 24 month waiting period).

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services THE BASICS: SSI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SSI - Cash Disabled by SSA definition; Little to no assets; under $2,000 for an individual, $3000 for a couple; Little to no income; and Benefit Amount for 2012 is $698, $1,048 for a couple, reduced by other income. SSI – Health Care Medicaid.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #1: I will lose my SSDI if I go to work FACT #1: Work Incentives let you keep SSDI cash check or status when you work! Trial Work Period (time limited) Impairment Related Work Expenses Subsidy/Unincurred Business Expense

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Myth #2: If wages cause SSDI cash benefit to stop, theres no way to get it back FACT #2: You can stay in eligibility status even when you dont get a cash check! Extended Period of Eligibility Expedited Reinstatement 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #3: I will lose my SSI if I go to work FACT #3: Work Incentives let you keep SSI cash check or status when you work! Basic Deductions: SSI reduced $1 for every $2 after first $65/$85 Additional Deductions let you keep more: IRWE, BWE, SEIE, PASS

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #4: If wages cause SSI cash benefit to stop, theres no way to get it back FACT #4: You can stay in eligibility status even when you dont get a cash check! 1619(b) Expedited Reinstatement

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #5: If I go back to work I will lose my medical Fact #5: You can keep medical when you work! SSI/Medicaid--1619(b) Employed Persons with Disabilities Program (EPD): Oregons Medicaid Buy-In program Continuation of Medicare Medicare for People With Disabilities Who Work

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Myth #6: There is no incentive for students to try working Fact #6: Students have a special rule that lets them keep more of their SSI when they work! Student Earned Income Exclusion 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #7: There arent any resources to help me reach self-sufficiency Fact #7: There ARE work incentives that will match funds you set aside to pay for expenses related to a vocational goal! Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #8: If I work my rent will go up Fact #8: HUD has work incentives, too! HUDs Earned Income Disregard Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #9: Working always results in overpayments Fact #9: There are strategies to prevent overpayments! Report regularly Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported Get assistance from WIN for help developing a strategy and reporting earned income

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services ADDITIONAL PARTS OF THE WIN MODEL A Training and Technical Assistance (T/A) Center that provides training, certification and assistance to WICs and I&Rs; Ongoing outreach and informational training for service providers, agency staff, community partners and other stakeholders; and An integrated outcomes research program.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services WORKING WITH PLANNING FOR WORK PROGRAM WIN and Disability Rights Oregons Planning for Work project work together to provide quality supports and services to people with disabilities who want assistance with benefits and work incentives planning.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services AND WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING? ITS A KANJI A Kanji is a Japanese Symbol. Kanjis have become very popular in the United States, especially with youth and young adults. The WIN kanji means FLOURISH. SO LETS FLOURISH WITH WIN… Remember- When you work, you WIN!

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah, Sherman, Tillamook, Washington, Wasco INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCES (ILR) 1839 NE Couch St. Portland, Oregon (503) (voice) (503) (TTY) (503) (fax) JAIME HEAD and JOSH GOLLER WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATORS

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill, LANE INDEPENDENT LIVING ALLIANCE, INC. (LILA) P.O. Box W. 10 th Avenue, Suite 117 Salem, OR Eugene, Oregon WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATORS CHRISTIE RIEHL EMMA LEVERT (503) (voice) (541) (voice) (541) (TTY) (541) (fax) LYNELLE WILCOX (503) (voice)

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson ABILITREE Clay Pigeon Court Bend, Oregon (541) (voice/TTY) (541) (fax) LEONARD PEACH WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union Wallowa, Wheeler EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (EOCIL) 1021 SW 5 TH Avenue 322 SW 3 rd, Suite 6 Ontario, Oregon Pendleton, Oregon (541) (voice/TTY) (541) (voice and fax) (541) (fax) or JENNIFER BONNELL WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Coos, Douglas INDEPENDENT ABILITIES CENTER (HASL) 305 NE E Street Grants Pass, Oregon (541) (voice) (541) (fax) NELSON FERGUSON and DENYS HARTFIELD WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATORS

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties: Klamath, Lake SPOKES UNLIMITED 1006 Main Street Klamath Falls, Oregon (541) (voice) (541) (Fax) JENNNIFER KASPER WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services QUESTIONS? CALL THE WIN STAFF IN YOUR AREA! Or for more information about WIN: For more information on Disability Rights Oregon Planning for Work: For more information on the Competitive Employment Project: