1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Work Incentives: You CAN Work!
Presented by:
Karla Bell
Project Specialist,
California Health Incentives Improvement Project
San Diego State University Interwork Institute

2. California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP)
Funded by a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Goal:
To increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by making sure necessary supports are in place, such as access to health care and the ability to use personal assistance services at work
Collaborative effort
So a little about the California Health Incentives Improvement Project:
We are funded by a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Our Goal is to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by making sure necessary supports are in place, such as access to health care and the ability to use personal assistance services at work. It is a collaborative effort and the CHIIP staff is housed in Sacramento in Department of Health Care Services and the Employment Development Department and also here in San Diego at the SDSU Interwork Institute.
We provide outreach and education on the Working Disabled Program, other benefits and employment supports.
We will continue to offer free monthly Webinars, so I hope you will join us in May (no webinar in April due to travel). We will send out a survey to you after this webinar, please let us know what other topics you would like to see covered in future webinars.
All of our webinars will be archived on our website: Go to the right side of that webpage and click on “Current Webinars”, once you open the webinars page at the bottom of the page you will find “PAST WEBINARS”. Some of our archives include social security work incentives & asset building and the 250% Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program. So check it out!

3. Overview Reasons to Work & Tips Differences between SSI and SSDI
How earned income affects SSI
IRWE, BWE, SEIE
SSI Calculation Examples
1619(b)
More SSI work incentives
Ticket to Work & WISE events
Wage Reporting
Resources

4. Reasons to Work More income Independence Learn New Skills
Meet New People
Build Assets
Increase Retirement
Tax Credits 4

5. Work Incentive Tips Work incentives provide a safety net
To use most work incentives:
Tell Social Security that you have gone to work or
Report changes in your earnings
Some work incentives require you to ask Social Security to determine if you can use them
Know what benefits you receive and if you have used any of the work incentives
Get a Benefits Planning Query
Talk to a Benefits Planner

6. Disability Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Both SSDI and SSI = Concurrent benefits
Although I will focusing on SSI and the SSI work incentives today, it is important to understand that there are two different types of Social Security Disability Benefits-SSDI and SSI.
If you have both, you have concurrent benefits or a concurrent beneficiary. Both have very different work incentives.
Let’s learn a little bit more about these two different benefits: 6

7. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Based on work, not financial need
Must have worked long enough & recently enough (FICA contributions) to become insured
Disabled or blind under Social Security rules
5 month waiting period
Medicare eligible after entitled for 24 months
Not affected by resources
3 Different Forms: SSDI, Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB), Disabled Widow(er)s Benefits (DWB)
AKA: DI, SSA, Social Security or Title II
Title II disability benefits are a form of insurance
2010: earnings needed to earn one credit=$1,120
The amount of disability benefits payable under title II is determined by the number holder’s work record. The maximum monthly payment for 2010 is $2,346.00
SSDI
Insured status on own record-you have been employed and have paid Social Security taxes. You may be able to receive benefits when you become disabled, if you have earned enough credits.
At least 20 credits in the 10 years prior to onset of disability
Those disabled prior to age 31 need fewer credits to qualify
CDB
To be eligible for Social Security as an adult child with a disability, individuals must be:
18 years of age or older
Disabled by SSA’s definition before age 22; and,
Child of an insured worker who is either disabled, retired or deceased.
If child marries, benefits end unless marriage is to another Title II beneficiary (excluding those on child’s benefits)
No 5-month waiting period required
DWB
Paid to surviving spouse of insured former worker – worker must be deceased, not merely retired or disabled.
Individual must be disabled per SSA’s definition
Individual must be at least 50 years old
5-Month waiting period applies to DWB payments

8. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes)
Aged, blind or disabled people with limited income and limited resources
U.S. Citizen or qualified alien
Income/resources of family members or living arrangements may affect eligibility
No waiting period
Automatic Medi-Cal eligibility in CA

9. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2010 California SSI payment rates:
$ (Individual-own household)
$ (Individual-household of another)
$ (Individual-no cooking facilities)
$ (Blind individual)
$ (Couple)
$ (Blind Couple)
SSI Resource Limit:
$2000 (individual)
$3000 (couple)
SSI rate is based on living arrangements determined by SSA, different rates for individuals and couples (In-Kind is not cash, but actual food or shelter provided by someone else)
SSI rate in CA includes $674 Federal Benefit Rate + State Supplement Payment, which has decreased due to California’s budget , Blind FBR= $1011
Current SSI payment rates:
Individual
Own Household $845.00
Household of another $639.66
No cooking facilities: $929.00
Non-medical out of home care $
Blind SSI Individual=$908.00, $ (household of another)
Couple
Own Household: $
Household of another $
No cooking facilities $
Both Blind Couple=$ , $ (household of another)
One Blind/One Aged Disabled Couple $ (own household) $ (household of another)
Non-medical out of home care $
Exempt Resources: one car, home live in, household goods, some student financial assistance, IDAs, some trusts, medical device/adaptive equipment

10. SSI and Work Going to work can increase overall income
Medi-Cal can continue even if working
Reinstatement
In most cases going to work will increase your overall income, but everyone’s situation is different so it is a good idea to meet with a benefits planner and look at your expenses, income and the big picture. You can even start by doing this online at the Disability Benefits 101 website, they have Benefits to Work Calculator that can give you an estimate of how work will affect your benefits. In most cases, Medi-Cal can continue even if you are working. Many people assume that taking a job will end their Medi-Cal immediately, but there are SSI work incentives that provide for continued Medi-Cal eligibility. These work incentives also allow for reinstatement, so cash benefits can start again once work stops. Let’s learn more about how earnings affect your SSI.

11. How earnings affect SSI payments
SSA counts less than half of your earned income
For example:
$885 in wages
$400 counts against SSI
Certain Impairment Related Work Expenses or Blind Work Expenses can also be deducted from your gross wages
So how do earnings affect your SSI payment? Social Security counts less than half of your earned income, so it is not a dollar for dollar reduction to your SSI payment when you have earnings. For example, if you are earning $885 in gross monthly wages only $400 counts against your SSI. Certain IRWE and BWEs can also be deducted from your gross wages.
Earned income consists of the following types of payments:
wages
net earnings from self-employment
payments for services performed in a sheltered workshop or work activities center
royalties earned by an individual in connection with any publication of his/her work and any honoraria received for services rendered.
Lets take a lot at the calculation steps that Social Security uses.

12. SSI Calculation Steps
Not all income counts when determining SSI payment amount:
Gross monthly earned income
- $20 General Income Exclusion (1st applied to any unearned income)
- $65 Earned Income Exclusion
÷ 2
= Countable Income
Subtract any applicable work incentives (in correct order)
Unearned Income examples – unemployment insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, State Disability Insurance, annuities, pensions, veterans disability benefits (pension/compensation), food or shelter that is not wages-in kind items provided as remuneration for employment, jury fees, tips under $20/month
Unearned income is all income that is not earned income. Some types of unearned income are:
annuities, pensions, and other periodic payments
alimony and support payments
dividends, interest, and royalties (except for royalties mentioned in 2. above)
rents
benefits received as the result of another's death to the extent that the total amount exceeds the expenses of the deceased person's last illness and burial paid by the recipient
prizes and awards
in-kind support and maintenance (ISM).
So the steps again are gross earned income, minus $20, minus $65, divide by 2 equals your countable income that Social Security will use to determine your new SSI payment.
Let’s take a look at three different work incentives that can be used as deductions and three calculation examples.

13. Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
Social Security deducts IRWE when they figure SSI payment amounts when:
Item or service enables you to work
Need item/service because of disabling impairment
You paid the cost and are not reimbursed
The cost is reasonable
You paid the expense in a month that you received earned income or performed work while you used the impairment related item or service
The cost may be pro-rated over a 12-month period for nonrecurring expenses

14. Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) Examples
Medications
Attendant Care Services
Medical devices
Medical services
Prosthesis
Expendable medical supplies
Appliances/devices prescribed by physician
Diagnostic procedures
Costs related to a service animal
Modifications to home or vehicle
Transportation costs
Assistive Technology
Training to use work-related equipment
Medical Devices: wheelchairs, dialysis equipment, respirators, pacemakers, traction equipment, braces
Medical Services: blood level monitoring, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, physician’s fee
Appliances/Devices: electric air cleaner for severe respiratory disease
Expendable medical supplies: incontinence pads, elastic stockings, catheters
Diagnostic Procedures: brain scans, electroencephalograms-related to control, treatment or evaluation of your disabling condition
Service Animal: food, licenses, vet services

15. SSI Calculation Example-IRWE
$885 Gross Wages
-$20 General Income Exclusion
$865 Remainder
-$65 Earned Income Exclusion
$800 Remainder
-$100 Impairment Related Work Expense
$700
÷ 2
$ Total Countable Income
 $ Maximum SSI Rate
-$ Total Countable Income
$ Adjusted SSI Payment
$ Gross Wages
+$ SSI
-$100 IRWE
$ Spendable Income
ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?

16. Blind Work Expenses (BWE)
For SSI beneficiaries whose primary diagnosis is blindness
Allows the exclusion of any work related items that are paid out of pocket and not reimbursed
BWEs do not need to be related to blindness or any impairment
Examples: Service animal expenses, fees, State, Federal & local taxes, visual & sensory aids, driver services, transportation to and from work, childcare, meals consumed at work, union dues, uniforms, reader services, vehicle modification, mandatory pension contributions, training to use an impairment-related item, translation of materials into Braille
Professional association fees

17. SSI Calculation Example-BWE
$885 Gross Wages
-$20 General Income Exclusion
$865 Remainder
-$65 Earned Income Exclusion
$800 Remainder
÷ 2
$400 Remainder
-$100 Blind Work Expense
$ Total Countable Income
 $ Maximum SSI Rate
-$ Total Countable Income
$ Adjusted SSI Payment
$ Gross Wages
+$ SSI
-$100 BWE
$ Spendable Income
If you notice a BWE reduces a person’s countable income even more than an IRWE.

18. IRWE & BWE
All Blind and Impairment Related Work Expenses must be verified by your local Social Security field office
Provide them with original receipts or canceled checks of the expenses
SSA will determine if the expense may be deducted
Request in writing in order to use appeal rights (if necessary)
ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?

19. Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)
Under age 22 and regularly attending school, college or training to prepare for a paying job
Do not count up to $1640 of earned income per month when figure SSI payment
Maximum yearly exclusion is $6600 in 2010
The Student Earned Income Exclusion is an amazing work incentive for working students under age 22. Many parents are very hesitant to let a young person on SSI work because of the fear of losing the benefit. With the SEIE, you can actually receive additional income over and above what you currently receive from SSI alone. In many cases, the SEIE allows students to work without experiencing any reduction in the SSI check at all. You have to be regularly attending school, college or training to prepare for a job. Regularly attending school means that the individual is taking one or more courses of study or attending classes:
Grades 7-12 =12 hours/week, College 8 hours/week
Training program to prepare for employment 12 hours/week or 15 hours if shop practice involved ex: Job Corps
Might be approved for less time if it is due to a reason beyond the student’s control such as illness or unavailability of transportation
Home school (grades 7-12, at least 12 hours per week), Home bound-must stay home due to disability & studies course/s give by a school grades 7-12, college, university or gov’t agency and has a home visitor or tutor from school who directs study/training
7-12 special education only if 12 hours/week and preparation for a job
Eligible couple gets one SEIE exclusion for the couple (applies only once to the combined earnings of the couple), if both under age 22 and working students. SEIE can also apply to earnings deemed from ineligible spouse or parent.
SSA does not have a SEIE form to request or process SEIE.
School enrollment can be verify with an ID Card, tuition receipt, or other evidence. Or SSA can contact the school to verify attendance. It is recommended that your student status is clearly indicated in writing when notifying SSA of employment.
Write a letter with following information: School, contact, number of hours in program, type of program
Many transition programs have developed their own letters
You can be married or the head or household.
AmeriCorps volunteers are students and stipends/living allowances are earned income (unless in VISTA and it is excluded)

20. SSI Calculation Example-SEIE
$500 Gross Wages
-$500 Student Earned Income Exclusion
$0.00 Total Countable Income
 $ Maximum SSI Rate
-$ 0.00 Total Countable Income
$ SSI Payment
$ Gross Wages
+$ SSI
$ Spendable Income
ANY QUESTIONS?

21. What happens if my earnings are so high that my SSI stops?
1619(b) is a work incentive that allows working SSI recipients to keep FREE Medi-Cal (No Share-of-Cost)
Medi-Cal retained when SSI payment is reduced to $0.00 per month due to earned income
Medi-Cal continues until you earn above a Threshold
2010 California 1619(b) Threshold Amounts:
Disabled = $34,324.00
Blind = $37,252.00
People with high medical costs can earn even more (Individualized Threshold)
Benefits can start again if you stop working or your earnings decrease (Reinstatement)

22. 1619(b)
To qualify:
Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least 1 month;
Would be eligible for cash payment except for earnings;
Still be disabled or blind;
Still meet all other eligibility rules, including the resources test;
Need Medi-Cal in order to work;
Have gross earned income that is insufficient to replace SSI, Medi-Cal, and any publicly funded attendant care.
This work incentive is automatic, you just need to report your income!
Must be unable to afford benefits equivalent to those received if not working (threshold test)

23. 1619(b)
Individualized Threshold: threshold can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis
Higher Individualized Threshold if:
Blind Work Expenses (BWE)
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS Plan)
Publicly Funded Personal Attendant
(i.e. In-Home Supportive Services)
Medical Expenses above State Average

24. 1619(b)
All Blind and Impairment Related Work Expenses must be verified by your local Social Security field office
Provide them with original receipts or canceled checks of the expenses
So I will stop and some questions. Any questions about 1619b?

25. Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
A PASS can help you reach your job goal!
Allows you to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal
Help you establish or maintain SSI eligibility and can increase your SSI payment amount
Both SSI and SSDI recipients may qualify
Must have income other than your SSI payment or excess resources

26. Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
Requirements:
Vocational Goal
Complete a written plan
Reasonable time frame for meeting your vocational goal
List and explain your necessary expenses
Examples: Educational costs, business start-up costs for self-employment, vehicle modifications
Who can help & resources:
PASS Cadres
WIPA Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Vocational Counselor
Disability Benefits 101 PASS Calculator

27. Property Essential to Self Support (PESS)
Does not count certain resources or property that an individual or couple needs for self-support
May include:
Property used in trade or business
Non-business income-producing property, and
Property used to produce goods or services essential to an individual’s daily activities
Excluded resources must be in current use
Money in a self-employed person’s business account can be excluded under PESS

28. Section 301
SSI benefits may continue in spite of determination that medical improvement has occurred if enrolled in an appropriate program that increases likelihood of not returning to disability benefit rolls:
Department of Rehabilitation (using an IPE)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if under age 22
PASS Plan
Ticket to Work
Support Services using an individualized written employment plan
Benefits continue until you complete the program, stop participation in the program or if your continued participation in the program no longer increases likelihood that you remain off the rolls

29. Ticket to Work
A ticket all SSI and SSDI recipients, ages 18-64, can use to get free employment services
(voice), (TTY) 29

30. Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE)
Community Events and Online Webinars
FREE information about Ticket to Work and other work incentives for SSDI and SSI recipients
Meet local Employment Networks and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) representatives
Find a WISE near you:

31. Wage Reporting
All wages & net earnings from self-employment (including any in-kind items received in lieu of wages)
Report new employment in person or with a letter
Take or mail copies of all pay stubs each month
Provide pay stubs as soon as receive last stub each month-no later than the 10th of the next month
Earnings count in month received
Self-employment: copies of tax return
Keep a binder with: all of your pay stubs, letters sent to SSA, receipts from work incentives you are claiming, letters from SSA

32. Resources Talent Knows No Limits http://www.talentknowsnolimits.info/
Disability Benefits 101
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects
TNKL: We are also on Facebook!! Become a Fan!
Information for Youth/Veterans/Older Workers
Benefits Planning Resources
Employment Support programs in your local area
Accommodations/Disclosure/Laws and Regulations
Success Stories
For job seekers, employers and service providers.
Also Training modules: disability awareness & self-employment
DB 101
Read more about work incentives I mentioned: PASS,1619b, TTW and more….at least 18 different federal and state benefits
CALCULATORS:
Benefits to Work
School to Work
PASS
Benefits to Work: shows you how work will affect ALL of your benefits-SSA, Section 8, Medi/Medi, PASS, etc.
Spanish as well!
List of CA Benefits Planners

33. Resources WISE Events http://www.cessi.net/WISE/ Ticket to Work
Ticket to Work FAQS

34. Resources Contact your PASS Cadre (PASS Plan) PASS Plan form
PASS Plan form
SSA Red Book-Guide to Work Incentives

35. Resources
For more information or questions, contact Karla Bell at ,
To order brochures or promotional materials, contact Nicholas Moore at ,
The Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program Brochure
I Can Work Brochure
CHIIP BROCHURES:
WDP Brochure
I CAN WORK Brochure:
General
Many different resources
FREE to you!
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Work incentives, WDP, IHSS, Asset Building, Employment supports