1. HOPWA Getting to Work Initiative
Benefit Planning; SSI/SSDI

2. Initiative Goals
Build the capacity of HOPWA funded project sponsors and grantees to increase access to vocational services and employment opportunities for HOPWA program participants Develop organizational structure to deliver employment services either through partnerships or direct services Advance staff knowledge and skills to incorporate vocational services, career development and benefit planning into the services offered to HOPWA program participants

3. Webinar Goals
Increase staff understanding of the benefit planning process
Increase staff ability to assist clients to make informed decisions about pursuing paid employment and its impact on public benefits
Increase staff understanding of work incentives
Increase staff ability to encourage clients to pursue earned income

4. Benefit Planning Webinars
Basic overview, information and resources
Part one - SSI and SSDI
Part two – Benefit planning, Housing, SNAP, and EITC

5. Public Benefits

6. Vocational Services Process
Vocational Assessment
Vocational/ Career Plan
Job Readiness Assistance/ Training
Job Search/Job Seeking Services
Job Placement/ Employer Engagement
Job Coaching/ Retention
Benefit Planning
Notice how benefit planning isn’t called out as a step in the process. That is because it is integral to all steps. Benefit planning doesn’t happen in one step, needs to be revisited several times.
Integrating benefit planning into the vocational services process assists with answering the question;
How will a job effect my benefits?
Accurate, available and understandable information on benefits reduces fear and increases motivation to engage in vocational assessment and planning
An individual’s employment goal is based on an informed choice with regard to impact on public benefits and potential enhanced economic well being

7. Safety Net
Benefit access is a key social service role and intervention
Public benefits develop a safety net
Safety net provides relief and the stability to recover/rebuild for the vulnerable, disadvantaged and people in crisis

8. Challenge Moving clients beyond the safety net
The “net” offers relief and minimally meets basic needs
Tension point: at times focusing on a goal of earned income appears to put people at risk of losing the security offered by the benefits

9. SSI and SSDI

10. Definition of “Disability” for an Adult
“… The inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months”

11. SSI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for aged, Blind and Disabled
Also known as Title XVI
Need based and those who receive SSI are considered a “recipient”
Includes cash award
Eligibility for Medicaid benefits; Title XIX

12. SSI Formula
SSI Federal Payment Standard = $ for 2012 Exclusions $20.00 = General Income Exclusion $65.00 = Earned Income Exclusion $85.00 = Total Exclusions

13. SSI Formula, cont.
_________ Gross Earned Income - $85.00 Subtract Exclusions _________ Divide by 2 _________ Countable earned income _________ SSI Cash Amount _________ Subtract Countable earned income _________ New SSI Cash amount Gross Income + New SSI Amount = __________

14. SSI Example SSI recipient making $685.00 gross wages per month:
$ Gross Earned Income
$ Subtract Exclusions
$ ? Divide by 2
$ ? Countable earned income

15. SSI Example, cont.
$ SSI Cash Amount $ Subtract Countable earned income $ New SSI Cash amount Gross Income + New SSI Amount = New monthly income $1, which is $ more than SSI amount

16. Retrospective Payments
Two month delay in adjusting benefit
Example: receive on June 1, $ SSI; plus June wages $685.00
SSI should be $398.00; Adjustment starts in August and will include deduction to recover over payments

17. SSI Work Incentives Continued Medicaid coverage while working
Reinstatement of cash benefit
Student earned income Exclusion
Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
Property Essential to Self Support
Blind Work Expense

18. Break Even Point
Break Even Point When SSI cash benefit is reduced to zero based on earnings $1,481 in earnings based on $ SSI benefit SSI payment multiplied by 2 and add $85.00; SSI/Medicaid eligibility continues under 1619B

19. 1619B and Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits
Allows for continued eligibility for Medicaid when SSI cash benefit is reduced to zero
Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits
Allows for a reinstatement of cash benefit if earned income is reduced or discontinued

20. SSI Example Jack receives $698 per month from SSI
Job for the summer 30 hours per week changing to 15 hours per week once the season over; job pays $10.00 per hour.
He has heard that SSI goes down when you work; wants to know how much because he is afraid that he won’t have enough money to live on any more.
How would you answer Jack’s question and advise him?

21. SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Title II
Cash award based on work history
Medicare eligibility after 2 years
Medicaid buy in option

22. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
The performance of significant physical or mental activities in work for pay or profit
Usually determined to be countable earned income of 1,010 or more per month; $1,640 for individuals with blindness
Applies to SSDI during application and after qualifying for SSDI
Self employed: 3 part test

23. Reducing Countable Income
Impairment Related Work Expenses
Out of pocket expenses related to disability such as attendant care, routine drugs and services transportation costs
Subsidy and Special Work Deductions
Dollar value of additional support a person receives to perform work; no actual exchange of money but amount is deducted from countable income

24. Trial Work Period
To test the ability to work or run a business, without affecting cash benefit
Full cash benefit continues no matter what the wage
Trial work month equals $720 or more in monthly earnings
Nine trial months within 60 months; consecutive or accumulated

25. Extended Period of Eligibility
Begins after trial work period ends
At least 36 months in length
Cash benefit for any month income is below SGA
Re-entitlement period

26. Expedited Re-instatement of Benefits
Five Year period after termination of benefits
Original impairment no longer permits the performance of SGA
Receive Provisional Benefit
Medical review
Initial re-instatement period (IRP) of 24 months
At the completion of IRP, new trial work period

27. SSDI example Bill receives $900 per month in SSDI along with Medicare
He wants to get a job and move into a new apartment with a friend and his share will cost $600 per month
He was told that if he gets a job he will lose his SSDI after 9 months. He feels he will need a full time job once his benefits are gone but he is afraid he won’t be able to stay employed.
How would you advise Bill?

28. SSI/SSDI Recipient
Emily receives $ a month from SSDI and $ from SSI.
She hasn’t worked for awhile but she would really like to have a job. She is concerned about feeling weak and exhausted although she is feeling better these days
She knows that her SSI will go down but isn’t sure about her SSDI. She wants to know how much she can make and if it is worth it to go back to work
How would you advise Emily?

29. Resources Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA’s)
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies – Benefit Planning Services
Employment Networks
Certified Benefit planners
Social Security “2012 Red Book”

30. Additional Resources
Mike Walling Benefits Training and Consulting Telephone: (610) Cornell University ILR School Employment and Disability Institute

31. Conclusion

32. Questions or Comments?
Nick Codd, Senior Economic Opportunities Specialist (206)