WORK RELATED PROVISION
|
CAPSULE DEFINITION |
EFFECT ON SSI
(SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME) |
EFFECT ON SSDI (SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
INSURANCE) |
TWP
Trial Work Period |
A TWP month is used in any month an SSDI
recipient grosses $700 or more (2009), up to a total of
9 months during any 5-year rolling period. TWP for self-employment
= 80 hours work/month or $700 net earnings. |
NO |
YES |
SGA
Substantial Gainful Activity |
Monthly gross earnings of $980 or more
(2009) in competitive employment or a sheltered workshop
or work activity center, after all exclusions are applied.
Note: SGA is subject to yearly increases.
2009 SGA blind = $1640/mo.
SGA for self-employment = $980 net/month |
YES YES
application only
Earnings at the SGA level usually result in “Cessation
of Disability” for the working SSDI recipient. Working
SSI recipients have protection under 1619a. SGA is considered
at time of application for both SSI and SSDI. |
EPE
Extended Period of Eligibility |
The period that begins at the end of
an SSDI recipient’s 9th trial work period (TWP) month
and runs for 36 straight months. Disability status is protected
even if SSDI recipient is not due a check because of earnings
over SGA |
NO |
YES
If benefits terminated for SGA, and earnings fall below
SGA during EPE, benefits resume. |
IRWE
Impairment Related Work Expenses |
Expenses related to disability which
are necessary for a disability benefit recipient to work,
and which are paid for by the recipient. These expenses
are then deducted from gross earnings when making SGA determinations
for SSDI, and when figuring payment amounts for SSI. |
YES
Affects SGA determination at application only, and SSI
benefit payable monthly. Deduct from gross earnings before
figuring SSI due. |
YES
Affects only SGA determination for applicants and recipients.
Has no effect on amount of SSDI check. |
Subsidy
or
Subsidized Employment |
Services and supports (monetary and non-monetary),
which are received by a working disability recipient and
which keep him/her employed. If dollar values were attached
to these supports they would show what a disability recipient
is actually earning as opposed to what he/she is being
paid. Includes employer accommodations and job modifications.
Subsidy can be provided by an employer and/or others (VR,
job coaches, friends, and family, etc). |
YES
At medical disability reviews. Existence of subsidy can
help protect a person’s disability status. Should
be documented on an ongoing basis. |
YES
Affects only SGA determinations, and can help to prevent
cessation of benefits. Subsidy allows SSDI recipient
to have higher earnings without loss of SSDI. Subsidy
information also helps at Continuing Disability Reviews
(CDRS). |
SEIE
Student Earned Income Exclusion |
The amount of gross earnings not counted
by SSI for students under 22. $1640/month in 2009, up to
a total of $6600 for the year |
YES |
NO |
| Continuation
of
Medicare
Coverage
|
For Title II recipients only who perform
SGA after their TWP, and therefore lose their eligibility
for benefit payments. Medicare can be continued for at least 93
months after the end of the TWP, although the person must
pay the monthly premium. |
NO |
No effect on benefit or loss of benefits.
Presumes Medicare coverage for 93 more months. |
1619a
Special Benefits |
For SSI recipients only. Takes effect
when working SSI recipient grosses over $980/month in 2009
and allows SSI benefits to be paid up to the amount of
the “breakeven point.” (“Breakeven point” is
the amount of earnings that reduce an SSI check to $0.) |
YES
Allows SSI recipient to earn up to “breakeven point” before
losing eligibility for payments. |
NO |
1619b
Extended
Medicaid |
For SSI recipients only. Takes effect
when working SSI recipient is not due any SSI payments
because of earnings. Provides continued Medicaid until
gross earnings surpass a “threshold” amount
calculated for each state, and there are no extraordinary
medical expenses. When there are extraordinary medical
expenses, an “individual threshold” applies. |
YES
Permits SSI recipients who aren’t due SSI checks
because of earnings to retain SSI eligibility and medical
coverage under Medicaid. |
NO |
PASS
Plan for Achieving Self Support |
A way to exclude excess resources and
various kinds of income from being counted for SSI if they
are used to achieve a work goal that is certified as feasible
by VR or private CRC. PASS must be approved by SSA before
implementing. Can be written by anyone. |
YES |
NO
However, by using a PASS, an SSDI recipient can become
financially
eligible for SSI and Medicaid. |
BWE
Blind Work Expenses |
The cost of actual work expenses (e.g.
FICA, lunches, guide dog, personal assistance, transportation,
etc) is deducted before figuring countable income. |
YES
Affects SSI payment amount due. |
YES
Affects the amount of earnings counted for SGA determinations. |
