Further information regarding any of the disability work incentives referenced in this document can be found in the Social Security Administration Red Book. The 2009 Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals and counselors who serve people with disabilities. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/main.htm.

Eligibility Criteria

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are "insured" by workers' contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which created Social Security taxes which are paid based on an individual's earnings or those of a spouse or parents.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind and disabled individuals (including children under age 18) who have limited income and resources. The Federal Government funds SSI from general tax revenues. Most states pay a supplemental benefit to individuals in addition to their Federal benefits.

SSDI and SSI share many concepts and terms. However, there are also many, very important differences in the rules affecting eligibility and benefit payments. Many individuals may apply or be eligible for benefits under both programs at the same time.

Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB)
Eligibility criteria include individuals 18 years of age or older who are disabled by SSA's definition before age 22; and are the child of an insured worker who is disabled and receiving SSDI benefits, retired and receiving Retirement benefits or is deceased.

Work Incentives

1619A
1619A is a special cash benefit for individuals who are working and earning over the Substantial Gainful Activity Level up to the break even point when an SSI check is no longer due. Substantial Gainful Activity Level is defined as working and earning more ($ see Red Book) in gross wages per month.

1619B
1619B is a continuation of Medicaid and SSI program eligibility. Countable wages are over the break even point (see Red Book) but under the state threshold amount. Case by case determination is made by the local SSA field office.

18-Month Prior Earnings Tool
This tool can be used as you work with a beneficiary to assess his/her work history during the 18 months just prior to Ticket assignment.  Visit the MAXIMUS web site at www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2.

Blind Work Expenses
SSA does not count any earned income that an individual uses to meet expenses that are needed to earn that income in deciding SSI eligibility and payment amount. The Blind Work Expenses (BWE) items do not have to be related to blindness. When figuring an SSI payment amount, items are treated as BWE instead of IRWEs. This is done this way because it always results in a higher SSI payment amount for the individual.

Earned Income Exclusion (EIE)
SSA does not count most of an individual's income when figuring an SSI payment amount. SSA does not count the first (see Red Book) of an individual's earnings in a month plus one-half of the remainder. This means that SSA counts less than one-half of the earnings when figuring the SSI payment amount. This exclusion applies in addition to the (see Red Book) general income exclusion (an exclusion that is first applied to any unearned income received).

Employment Networks
An Employment Network (EN) in an organizational entity (State or local, public or private) that enters into a contract with SSA with the intention of coordinating and delivering employment services, VR services, and/or other support services under the Ticket to Work Program. These services are provided by the EN to SSA beneficiaries who have assigned their Tickets to the EN which has accepted the Ticket.

Expedited Reinstatement
If an individual's SSDI or SSI benefits ended because of work and they had earnings, the individual can request to have benefits started again without having to complete a new application. This became effective January 1, 2001. Additional reasons to request benefits start again:

• Unable to work or perform SGA because of disability.

• An individual has an impairment(s) that is the same as, or related to, the impairment(s) that allowed the individual to get benefits earlier.

• A request is made within five years from the month SSA terminated an individual's entitlement or eligibility. (The termination month is usually later than the month an individual stopped receiving cash benefits.)

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
SSA deducts the cost of certain impairment-related items and services an individual needs to work from gross earnings when it is determined if "countable earnings" demonstrate performance of substantial gainful employment (SGA). It does not matter if the individual uses these items and services for non-work activities.

Individualized Work Plan (IWP) Template
This template includes all of the elements that must be included in an IWP to meet the requirements of the Ticket program.  Visit the MAXIMUS web site at: www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2.

Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD)
MIWD, referred to by some as Nebraska's Medicaid Buy-In, is intended to allow people with disabilities who are competitively employed and who, because of wages would lose their benefits, to purchase Medicaid like private insurance.

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
An individual who is blind or disabled and receiving benefits can set aside or exclude income or resources necessary for attaining a specific occupational goal. The income or resources set aside will be excluded for determining SSI eligibility and payment. A PASS must have a realistic work goal, a specific savings plan and clear, sequential steps that lead to employment.

Region VII SSA PASS Cadre

Tim McEvoy
850 Nebraska Ave
Kansas City, KS 66101
PHONE: (913) 621-3014
            1-800-551-9289
FAX: (913) 621-2217
Email: timothy.mcevoy@ssa.gov

Property Essential to Self Support (PESS)
SSA does not count some resources that are essential to an individual's means of self-support when deciding initial and continuing eligibility for SSI. SSA does not count an individual's property if used in a trade or business (for example, inventory) or use for work as an employee (for example, tools or equipment), regardless of the value or rate of return. Other use of the items does not matter. SSA does not count up to ($ see Red Book) of equity value of non-business property that an individual uses to produce goods or services essential to daily activities, regardless of rate of return. SSA does not count up to ($ see Red Book) of equity value of non-business income-producing property, if the property yields an annual rate of return of at least 6 percent. However, SSA does not consider liquid resources, for example stocks, bonds, or notes as property essential to self-support, unless used as part of a trade or business.

Special Rules for Individuals Who Are Blind
Employment supports, in general, are special rules that help an individual return to work or work for the first time. Some of the rules apply only to individuals who are blind. Congress included language in the law to specifically to make it easier for individuals who are blind to go to work.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)
If an individual is under age 22 and regularly attending school, SSA does not count up to (see Red Book) of earned income per month when figuring an SSI payment amount. The maximum yearly exclusion is (see Red Book). These amounts are adjusted each year based on the cost-of-living.

Ticket to Work Resources of Interest
If you are interested in learning more about the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Ticket to Work program, check out the following resources: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/documents/Ticket%20to%20Work%20Resources%20of%20Interest%20Aug%202009.pdf