Benefits Counseling for Loan Programs

Michael DaltoMaryland Technology Assistance Program

2301 Argonne Drive, T-17Baltimore, MD 21218(800) 832-4827 (voice)

(866)(TTY)(410) 554-9237 (fax)

dalto@mdtap.org (e-mail)

Benefits from Social Security

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

When you consider a loan for someone who gets SSI or SSDI, be sure that:

1. The checks are likely to last as long as the loan, or

2. The borrower won’t need to rely on the checks (e.g., because s/he will be earning enough to replace them)

3. If the borrower is starting work or increasing earnings, s/he understands the impact on his/her SSI or SSDI to avoid overpayments

4. The borrower understands the impact of work on medical benefits (Medicaid or Medicare)

SSI Work Incentives

SSI work incentives help a person receive higher SSI payments to offset out-of-pocket expenses for work or career advancement.

Two SSI work incentives can help a person qualify for SSI if s/he would otherwise have too much income.

Can be used if employed or self-employed

SSDI Work Incentives

SSDI work incentives may enable a person to keep SSDI while working if s/he would otherwise lose it.

Can be used if employed or self-employed

SSI Tips

You need to pay for room and board to receive the maximum SSI payment ($564/month in 2004, $579/month in 2005, before any state supplement).

If an applicant receives maximum SSI but doesn’t pay for room and board, s/he is likely receiving too much SSI, and may end up with an overpayment.

SSI TipsIn most states, you’re automatically entitled to Medicaid if you receive any amount of SSI – even $1 per month.

Getting married will usually reduce or eliminate your SSI payment

Keeping Medicaid If SSI IsLost Due to Work

A rule called “1619(b)” lets you keep Medicaid even if you lose SSI due to earnings. Your Medicaid is not in jeopardy until you earn a much higher amount called the “1619(b) threshold”, which differs from state to state. 1619(b) thresholds range from $14,556 to $42,390 (in 2004). See http://www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/Health/1619b.html for your state’s threshold A worker may earn even more than these limits and still keep Medicaid if s/he:

Pays for certain work-related expenses,Receives publicly-funded attendant services, and/orHas higher than average medical expenses covered by Medicaid

Blind Work Expenses (BWE)Work incentive for workers who receive SSI due to legal blindnessAllows a deduction for most work-related expenses, whether or not they relate to blindnessExpenses include:

Taxes withheld from payMeals consumed at workWork-related transportationJob training or coachingTools and equipment needed for workAssistive technology needed for work (including training to use it, maintenance and repair costs)

Blind Work Expenses (BWE)

The deduction lets the worker keep more SSI

BWE can also help some blind workers qualify for SSI.

A blind worker earning as much as $30,000 per year (possibly more) – much higher than the usual earnings limit to receive SSI – could use BWE’s to qualify for at least a small SSI payment. In most states, this qualifies him/her for Medicaid.

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

Work incentive for SSI recipients who want to pursue work goals that will increase their earnings – and decrease their dependence on SSI or SSDI – within 3 to 4 yearsPASS lets you deduct expenses needed to reach the work goal.The deduction lets you keep more SSI.PASSes usually last up to 3 or 4 years.Must be approved – and periodically reviewed – by SSA

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

Expenses may include:

Transportation costs (including vehicles and

modifications)

Education costs (tuition, books, fees, etc.)

Job-related equipment, tools, uniforms, computers, etc.

Expenses to start a business

Assistive technology

Job coaching or on-the-job training

Childcare, and many others

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

A PASS may help some individuals qualify for SSI, especially if they receive too much “unearned income”, such as SSDI, to ordinarily be eligible for SSI. In most states, receiving SSI qualifies a person for Medicaid.Cautions about using a PASS to qualify for SSI:

The work goal must be earnings high enough to lose SSDI within several yearsIf you receive only SSDI (and not earnings) and you use a PASS to qualify for SSI, your living expenses can’t exceed the maximum monthly SSI payment plus $20.

Self-Employment and SSI

Business expenses are deducted from earnings when figuring SSI reduction.SSA allows all business expenses allowed by IRS.May use BWE, PASS or bothBusiness expenses can be used twice – as both business expenses and PASS expenses

SSDI Tips

Getting married could terminate your SSDI in some cases, if you receive benefits on a parent’s work record

SSDI Tips

Usual limit on earnings (after a 9-month “trial work period”) to keep SSDI =

$810/month (in 2004); $830/month (in 2005) for non-blind individuals$1,350/month for blind individuals (in 2004); $1,380/month (in 2005)

Impairment Related Work Expenses

Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) may be deducted from earnings.IRWE are disability-related expenses needed for work including:

Assistive technology

Transportation necessitated by disability, including

vehicle modifications, but not vehicle purchase

Job coaching

Attendant services

Therapies

Medications, medical services and supplies, and many

others

Subsidies and Special Conditions

Subsidies and Special Conditions may also be deducted.

These are situations in which the worker is earning less than s/he is paid, including:

Receiving extra supervision or assistance on the job (from a job coach, coworker, supervisor, etc.)Working at reduced productivity (slower pace, not completing all duties, etc.)

SSDI Tips

If difference after deductions is below:$810/month (in 2004); $830/month (in 2005)$1,350/month for blind individuals (in 2004); $1,380/month (in 2005)

Then the worker keeps SSDI.

Self-Employment and SSDI

Business expenses are deducted from earnings.“Unincurred business expenses” (i.e., business expenses paid by another person or agency) are deductedUnpaid help to conduct the business is deductedMay also deduct IRWE’s

Benefits Assistance

Every state and territory has at least one organizationProvide free help to understand and use SSI and SSDI work incentivesMostly centers for independent living

Benefits Assistance

To find a Benefits Assistance agency:

www.ssa.gov/work/ServiceProviders/BPAODirectory.html

For more information about work incentives:

www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/ workincentives.html

Top Five Reasons You Should Care About SSA’s Work Incentives

1. They encourage people to work by decreasing the impact on benefits.

2. They enable people receiving SSI to keep higher payments while working.

3. They enable people to keep SSDI while earning above the usual limits.

4. They enable some individuals to qualify for SSI (and, in most states, Medicaid) who would otherwise be ineligible – including people receiving only SSDI, and blind individuals earning up to $30,000 per year.

5. They can help capitalize small businesses.